A Canadian passenger on a Westjet flight went to X (formerly Twitter) to say they were kicked off their plane for using the bathroom too many times.
"Just got kicked off a @WestJet flight from Mexico because I had an upset stomach and was going to the washroom too much before takeoff. No promise of a hotel or rebooked flight. I had meds and was on the mend. Some customer service. If you’re sick before a flight, hold it in…" Joanna Chiu said on their Twitter feed.
"In my rush to get off plane alone, I left my money with travel companions and @westjet supervisor refused to pay for my taxi to a hotel 20 min away," she continued in the thread. "He called a guard over to intimidate me but when I burst into tears the guard assessed rightly that Westjet dude was the a**hole."
Chiu said she then tried to film an exchange in the baggage area with the Westjet supervisor, only to be told she wouldn't be able to get on a flight tomorrow unless she deleted the video. She posted a photo instead.
She said she ended up leaving without a booking reference for her next flight "because I was legitimately worried about getting arrested," but said she was DM'd her booking number afterwards.
Now Chiu is back home, but that this advice for future travellers. "Check whether your destination is known for stomach bugs," she said. "If you're asked to deplane, take the time to gather wallet, passport, medications."
Commenters got involved as well. The first one asked the question we all had: "How many times does going to the washroom get you the boot."
She responded: "If you go to the washroom before a flight, and the flight attendant asks if you are sick, say you just have a small bladder."
Someone claiming to be a former flight attendant weighed in, saying "they made the right call" to remove her from the plane.
"Don't know why you're expecting sympathy," said another commenter. "You shouldn't have even flown to begin with."
