Delta Air Lines said Friday (August 16) that it was investigating the case of a man who allegedly followed a family through the terminal and then boarded the family’s plane without a ticket earlier this month. According to a report by the Associated Press, the incident occurred at Washington Dulles International Airport.
In a statement, Delta said it has “established processes that allow gate agents and flight crew to verify prior to departure that the individuals on board the aircraft are customers booked on that particular flight.”
The alleged stalking
Speaking to American media, Lauren Benton said she noticed a man apparently following her, her husband and their two children. Benton said the man also followed her into a women’s restroom.
She said that as they boarded the plane, the man followed them and sat in their row.
Benton added that her husband confronted the man and a flight attendant asked to see his boarding pass, which he could not produce.
Man rescued from plane
According to the Associated Press, the man was removed from the plane. The Transportation Security Administration said he had a valid ID and a boarding pass for a later flight, which explains how he got through security.
No charges were filed against the man.
Benton stressed that she questioned the man’s intentions the whole time. “And I know that child trafficking is definitely a growing problem here in the United States, and that was the first thing that came to mind.”
She said her children were scared because of the incident, adding that she was frustrated by the lack of response.
(With contributions from agencies)
