It’s not like she was trying to sneak into first-class or anything, but Jean Mamakos still got herself in trouble for changing seats on a recent United Airlines flight prior to takeoff from Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. A lot of trouble, too. The 68-year-old from Long Island, New York wound up spending three days in jail on charges of trespassing.
First reported by CBS2 in New York City, Mamakos says that after passengers completed boarding the plane, she noticed an empty seat in an emergency exit row. Hoping the legroom in the exit row would make the next flight on her trip more comfortable, Mamakos took that spot prior to the plane’s takeoff. She was quickly questioned by stewards, though, who Mamakos says told her this seat would cost more money.
Retreating back to her original seat wasn’t enough, either, though. Stewards told Mamakos she would have to leave the plane. When she said she intended to complete her trip to enjoy a skiing vacation in Alaska, Seattle police then boarded, physically removing Mamakos from the United aircraft, and arresting her for trespassing. She spent three days in jail because courts were closed for the weekend.
See CBS2’s report, which includes video another passenger took of Mamakos being removed from the plane:
Mamakos is now suing United Airlines for $5 million. While the airline wouldn’t comment, CBS2 notes that pre-flight briefing is required for anyone seated in an emergency exit row. According to Mamakos, the only specific reason United staff told her she couldn’t have the seat was an increased cost.
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