After a series of tweets suggesting a United Airlines flight had been delayed because of a security threat posed to one of its passengers, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie (R-NJ), the governor’s presidential campaign sent out a statement with his side of the story:
“Governor Christie, an aide and a member of his security detail were traveling on a United flight from San Francisco to Boston this morning when a passenger was removed from the plane before takeoff at the request of United Airlines,” said campaign spokesperson Maria Comella in the statement. “At no point did Governor Christie interact with this passenger nor did this passenger pose a verbal or physical threat to the Governor.”
According to what was said to be passengers’ accounts, Christie was at first thought to be threatened by passenger, prompting the delay.
@united Delay caused by someone on plane threatening Governor Christie. Lovely.
— Joe Kinsella (@joekinsella) November 20, 2015
@mattkatz00 @WNYC Rumor is passenger taking pictures, Christie security had concern, had us return to gate. Police came on plane.
— Joe Kinsella (@joekinsella) November 20, 2015
More #united1108 #ChrisCristie details: He wasn’t threatened He saw a guy taking pics of crew & emailing them in Arabic (said his seatmate)
— David Berlind (@dberlind) November 20, 2015
Update: A spokesman for United Airlines responded to TPM’s inquiry with the following statement:
“United Airlines is working to accommodate customers of flight 1108 to Boston after the flight was delayed in San Francisco due to a disruptive customer on board. The flight will depart this afternoon.”
