CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) — Chicago Police say they arrested a woman at O’Hare International Airport on Monday morning after she tried to push her way past gate agents to board a flight to Houston.
Spirit Airlines says it was about 10:30 a.m., and the woman showed up late to the gate and was verbally abusive toward airline employees.
Spirit said the woman “pushed past one of (the) agents in an attempt to board the aircraft, but another agent prevented her from going on board.”
A spokesman for the airline said the gate agent who was pushed is all right.
A 23-year-old Houston woman has been charged with a misdemeanor count of battery, Chicago police said.
Here is the complete statement from Spirit Airlines spokesperson Field Sutton:
Spirit Airlines denied boarding to a passenger bound for Houston this morning after she showed up late to the gate and was verbally abusive toward our Team Members. She pushed past one of our agents in an attempt to board the aircraft, but another agent prevented her from going on board. Spirit does not tolerate abusive behavior toward Guests or Team Members. We are grateful the agent the passenger pushed is alright, and we thank police for their quick response in arresting the passenger.