Toilet trouble at 30,000 feet—United pilot snaps over bathroom break!
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An air travel controversy has taken flight after a United Airlines pilot allegedly assaulted a passenger.
The incident, which has sparked outrage and raised questions about airline protocol and passenger rights, occurred on a flight from Tulum, Mexico, to Houston, Texas.
Let's delve into the details of this unsettling event and discuss the implications it may have for travelers, especially those who may require a bit more time and consideration during our journeys.
A United Airlines passenger has alleged that a pilot forcefully removed him from the airplane lavatory, breaking the door lock and dragging him out with his pants down after being inside for what was deemed too long.
Yisroel Liebb, 20, was on the first leg of his trip back to New Jersey when the incident occurred.
According to his account, he was placed in handcuffs upon landing in Houston, following what he described as a deeply humiliating experience in which he was "ripped from the airplane bathroom with his genitals exposed."
In a complaint reviewed by The Independent, Liebb said he suffered physical injuries, emotional trauma, and anxiety, stating he felt "sexually violated and embarrassed after having been publicly exposed in the nude."
According to the passenger, the incident began about 30 minutes into the flight from Tulum, Mexico to Houston, where he was scheduled to catch a connecting flight to New York.
Roughly 20 minutes after entering the lavatory, a flight attendant reportedly woke up Liebb’s travel companion, Jacob Sebbag, to check on him.
As reported by The Independent, Sebbag, 21, knocked on the door and asked if Liebb was okay, to which he responded that he was "experiencing constipation" and would be out soon.
The complaint states, “Sebbag relayed this to the stewardess and returned to his seat.”
However, about 10 minutes later, the pilot allegedly approached Sebbag and requested that he "once again try and get Liebb out" of the bathroom, the filing adds.
According to the complaint, the pilot began shouting at Liebb, demanding that he exit the bathroom immediately, and then turned to Sebbag, ordering him to “force Liebb out” of the lavatory as well.
Liebb reportedly responded that he was fine, was "finishing up," and would be out shortly.
The complaint goes on to allege that the pilot then became “visibly enraged,” forcibly broke the lock on the door, and pulled Liebb out of the bathroom while his pants were still around his ankles, exposing him to Sebbag, flight attendants, and other passengers nearby.
Liebb quickly pulled his pants back up, but sustained injuries to his head and legs after hitting the bathroom doorframe, the document states.
The filing also claims that the pilot then pushed Liebb and Sebbag back to their seats, making threats of arrest and allegedly making derogatory comments about their religion, including remarks about “how Jews act.”
Both men, identified as Orthodox Jews, were dressed in religious clothing at the time.
Upon landing in Houston, the complaint says Customs and Border Protection officers boarded the aircraft, instructed all passengers to remain seated, and then handcuffed Liebb and Sebbag.
As they were being escorted off the plane, Liebb reportedly asked why they were being detained, to which a CBP officer allegedly responded, “This isn’t county or state, we are Homeland [Security], you have no rights here.”
According to the complaint, the two passengers were allegedly taken to a detention area within the airport terminal following their removal from the flight.
Liebb claimed that one officer, frustrated by his questions, tightened his handcuffs to the point where he was forced to speak out in pain.
He reportedly "pleaded" with the officer, explaining that he was cooperating fully, posed no threat, and asked for relief.
Source: KVUE / Youtube.
The filing also alleges that both passengers were placed in separate holding cells, handcuffed to tables, and subjected to "intrusive, unconsented, unwarranted, and unreasonable searches" of both their persons and their luggage.
While no charges were filed, the two missed their connecting flight to New York, which departed while they were still in custody, The Independent reported.
They were rebooked for free the next day but had to pay for their own hotel and meals during the delay—"essentially negating the price of the complimentary flight," the complaint noted.
Both Liebb and Sebbag also reported severe wrist pain that lasted for days, which they attributed to the handcuffs being applied too tightly.
They are now seeking unspecified damages, along with attorney’s fees, with the amount to be determined at trial.
Have you or someone you know faced challenges while flying? How do you think airlines should handle situations where a passenger requires more time or assistance? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below!
The incident, which has sparked outrage and raised questions about airline protocol and passenger rights, occurred on a flight from Tulum, Mexico, to Houston, Texas.
Let's delve into the details of this unsettling event and discuss the implications it may have for travelers, especially those who may require a bit more time and consideration during our journeys.
A United Airlines passenger has alleged that a pilot forcefully removed him from the airplane lavatory, breaking the door lock and dragging him out with his pants down after being inside for what was deemed too long.
Yisroel Liebb, 20, was on the first leg of his trip back to New Jersey when the incident occurred.
According to his account, he was placed in handcuffs upon landing in Houston, following what he described as a deeply humiliating experience in which he was "ripped from the airplane bathroom with his genitals exposed."
In a complaint reviewed by The Independent, Liebb said he suffered physical injuries, emotional trauma, and anxiety, stating he felt "sexually violated and embarrassed after having been publicly exposed in the nude."
A United Airlines passenger was forcibly dragged from an airplane bathroom by the pilot for taking too long, leading to his arrest upon landing. Image source: WFAA / Youtube.
According to the passenger, the incident began about 30 minutes into the flight from Tulum, Mexico to Houston, where he was scheduled to catch a connecting flight to New York.
Roughly 20 minutes after entering the lavatory, a flight attendant reportedly woke up Liebb’s travel companion, Jacob Sebbag, to check on him.
As reported by The Independent, Sebbag, 21, knocked on the door and asked if Liebb was okay, to which he responded that he was "experiencing constipation" and would be out soon.
The complaint states, “Sebbag relayed this to the stewardess and returned to his seat.”
However, about 10 minutes later, the pilot allegedly approached Sebbag and requested that he "once again try and get Liebb out" of the bathroom, the filing adds.
According to the complaint, the pilot began shouting at Liebb, demanding that he exit the bathroom immediately, and then turned to Sebbag, ordering him to “force Liebb out” of the lavatory as well.
Liebb reportedly responded that he was fine, was "finishing up," and would be out shortly.
The complaint goes on to allege that the pilot then became “visibly enraged,” forcibly broke the lock on the door, and pulled Liebb out of the bathroom while his pants were still around his ankles, exposing him to Sebbag, flight attendants, and other passengers nearby.
The passenger, Yisroel Liebb, claimed to suffer physical injuries, extreme emotional distress, and felt “sexually violated” after being exposed. Image source: @Ahmadandwoods / Youtube.
Liebb quickly pulled his pants back up, but sustained injuries to his head and legs after hitting the bathroom doorframe, the document states.
The filing also claims that the pilot then pushed Liebb and Sebbag back to their seats, making threats of arrest and allegedly making derogatory comments about their religion, including remarks about “how Jews act.”
Both men, identified as Orthodox Jews, were dressed in religious clothing at the time.
Upon landing in Houston, the complaint says Customs and Border Protection officers boarded the aircraft, instructed all passengers to remain seated, and then handcuffed Liebb and Sebbag.
As they were being escorted off the plane, Liebb reportedly asked why they were being detained, to which a CBP officer allegedly responded, “This isn’t county or state, we are Homeland [Security], you have no rights here.”
According to the complaint, the two passengers were allegedly taken to a detention area within the airport terminal following their removal from the flight.
Liebb claimed that one officer, frustrated by his questions, tightened his handcuffs to the point where he was forced to speak out in pain.
He reportedly "pleaded" with the officer, explaining that he was cooperating fully, posed no threat, and asked for relief.
Source: KVUE / Youtube.
The filing also alleges that both passengers were placed in separate holding cells, handcuffed to tables, and subjected to "intrusive, unconsented, unwarranted, and unreasonable searches" of both their persons and their luggage.
While no charges were filed, the two missed their connecting flight to New York, which departed while they were still in custody, The Independent reported.
They were rebooked for free the next day but had to pay for their own hotel and meals during the delay—"essentially negating the price of the complimentary flight," the complaint noted.
Both Liebb and Sebbag also reported severe wrist pain that lasted for days, which they attributed to the handcuffs being applied too tightly.
They are now seeking unspecified damages, along with attorney’s fees, with the amount to be determined at trial.
Have you or someone you know faced challenges while flying? How do you think airlines should handle situations where a passenger requires more time or assistance? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below!
