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Being denied your paid seat is a civil matter (and possibly allowed in the contract you signed when you bought it). The proper course of action is a request for

Being denied your paid seat is a civil matter (and possibly allowed in the contract you signed when you bought it). The proper course of action is a request for compensation followed by a lawsuit if necessary. Or a complaint to relevant oversight bodies. Or making a stink in the court of public opinion. But trespassing on someone's property after receiving a request from them to leave is a crime. Disobeying a lawful order from a police officer is another crime. This guy got stupid lucky that the affair went viral. Otherwise he'd just be sitting in jail.

lazyant 9y ago
" Disobeying a lawful order from a police officer is another crime" it's not clear that the order was lawful or even that the guard in question was a police officer.
deleted 9y ago
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burkaman 9y ago
Excessive use of force is a crime too.
deanCommie 9y ago
Let me guess: You also think all those people getting shot/beaten/choked to death by police offers in the US were also all disobedient and/or resisting arrest.
jamessb 9y ago
> But trespassing on someone's property after receiving a request from them to leave is a crime. I am not a lawyer, but I don't think it is that simple. 25 CFR 11.411 - Criminal trespass requires the person comitting the offense to "know that he or she is not licensed or privileged to" enter or remain [1]. What if you believe that you are "licensed or privileged" to do remain where you are, because you are in posession of a valid ticket and the demand that you to give up your seat is not consistent with the terms attached to the ticket? It seems that if you believe that you have a license to remain then you are not commiting a crime, even if you are actually mistaken in this belief. Illinois state law also has a "Criminal trespass to vehicles" offense, but it applies only to entering, not remaining [2]. [1]: https://www.law.cornell.edu/cfr/text/25/11.411 https://www.law.cornell.edu/cfr/text/25/11.411 [2]: http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/documents/072000050K21-2.htm http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/documents/072000050K21-...
- marcoperaza 9y ago
  Being told by the employees, and then security and then police, that you must leave most certainly satisfies that requirement. You don't get a free pass on the law for being obtuse. And again, a contract for a plane ticket is a civil matter. Unless I misunderstand, it has no real bearing on your right to stay at the moment that you're asked to leave. It would only entitle you to recover damages after the fact.

lazyant 9y ago

" Disobeying a lawful order from a police officer is another crime" it's not clear that the order was lawful or even that the guard in question was a police officer.

deleted 9y ago

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burkaman 9y ago

Excessive use of force is a crime too.

deanCommie 9y ago

Let me guess: You also think all those people getting shot/beaten/choked to death by police offers in the US were also all disobedient and/or resisting arrest.

jamessb 9y ago

> But trespassing on someone's property after receiving a request from them to leave is a crime. I am not a lawyer, but I don't think it is that simple. 25 CFR 11.411 - Criminal trespass requires the person comitting the offense to "know that he or she is not licensed or privileged to" enter or remain [1]. What if you believe that you are "licensed or privileged" to do remain where you are, because you are in posession of a valid ticket and the demand that you to give up your seat is not consistent with the terms attached to the ticket? It seems that if you believe that you have a license to remain then you are not commiting a crime, even if you are actually mistaken in this belief. Illinois state law also has a "Criminal trespass to vehicles" offense, but it applies only to entering, not remaining [2]. [1]: https://www.law.cornell.edu/cfr/text/25/11.411 https://www.law.cornell.edu/cfr/text/25/11.411 [2]: http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/documents/072000050K21-2.htm http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/documents/072000050K21-...

marcoperaza 9y ago
Being told by the employees, and then security and then police, that you must leave most certainly satisfies that requirement. You don't get a free pass on the law for being obtuse. And again, a contract for a plane ticket is a civil matter. Unless I misunderstand, it has no real bearing on your right to stay at the moment that you're asked to leave. It would only entitle you to recover damages after the fact.