New Jersey traveler Yisroel Liebb, was 30 minutes into a flight from Mexico to Texas when he got up to use the bathroom. His seatmate Mr. Sebbag raised concerns with the crew when Liebb not returned 20 minutes later, according to the lawsuit.
Mr. Liebb told the flight attendant he was merely “experiencing constipation” and would be out very shortly — but 10 minutes later, the pilot demanded he leave immediately, the filing said.
In a fit of rage, the pilot forcibly broke down the door and pulled Mr. Liebb out, leaving his pants down and exposing his genitalia to the passengers close by, according to the lawsuit.
As Mr. Liebb embarrassingly adjusted his pants, the pilot stated that he would have him and his seatmate arrested, claiming it was typical behavior for “Jews,” according to the lawsuit.
After landing, both men were arrested by five US Customs and Border Protection agents who boarded the plane and brought them to a detention facility inside the terminal, according to the lawsuit also against the border agency as well as Homeland Security and the Transportation Security Administration.
The agents allegedly handcuffed Mr Liebb so tight that he yelled out due to the pain, the lawsuit said.
Mr. Liebb and. Sebbag were released without charges following the altercation but missed their connecting flight home. The flight departed for New York while they were still detained, according to the complaint. They were rebooked on another flight leaving the next day for free, but the pair still had to pay additional charges for a hotel and food, the lawsuit stated.
Mr. Liebb and Mr. Sebbag both claim the handcuffs caused persisting “severe wrist pain” and Mr. Liebb suffered injuries to his head and legs when forcefully removed from the bathroom. The pair are seeking damages in an amount to be determined at trial, plus lawyer fees.
United Airlines refused to comment only saying “it did not “have anything to share with the media on the lawsuit.”
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