A Marine Corps veteran with over 20 years of service was forced to deplane after a Delta Airlines employee found her t-shirt promoting veteran suicide prevention “threatening.” Catherine Banks, who was flying from San Francisco International Airport to visit her Marine sister, was shocked when a male flight attendant told her she had to leave the plane because of her attire.
The shirt, which read “Do Not Give In To The War Within. End Veteran Suicide,” is part of the Til Valhalla Project, a group that raises awareness and funds for veterans struggling with mental health issues. Banks, who has dedicated her life to serving her country, said she was stunned when the flight attendant claimed her shirt posed a problem.
“I told him I’m a Marine Corps vet of 22 years and that this shirt was about supporting my fellow soldiers,” Banks said. Despite her explanation, the flight attendant responded, “I don’t care about your service,” and insisted she change her clothing if she wanted to board the plane again.
Banks, who wasn’t wearing a bra under her shirt, had to change into a sweatshirt on the jet bridge before being allowed to reboard. However, even after complying, she was not permitted to return to the seat she had paid for, which included extra legroom. Instead, she was reassigned to a seat in the back of the plane, and the delay caused her to miss her connecting flight.
Delta Airlines has a policy stating that passengers can be removed if their attire causes “offense or annoyance,” though it’s unclear how Banks’ shirt violated this rule. The airline contacted her on Friday to address the situation, though no official statement has been issued.