Lawyer appeals for video footage of violinist’s row with United supervisor
A lawyer is asking people to come forward if they have any video footage of a row between a violinist and a United Airlines supervisor at Houston airport.
Classical musician Yennifer Correia claims the supervisor tried to wrestle a ‘priceless’ 17th century violin from her after insisting it must be checked in as hold luggage.
Correia, who was on her way from Houston to St Louis to play in the summer season at the Missouri Symphony Orchestra, said she was told at check-in that the violin must be checked in.
Her lawyer, Philip MacNaughton, said she asked to speak to a supervisor, who told her there were no other options.
He said the United employee then became ‘belligerent’.
“Without provocation, the supervisor for the Chicago-based carrier then lunged for Ms Correia’s case and, incredibly, tried to wrestle it away from the musician,” said MacNaughton in a letter.
“Ms Correia screamed for help. The United supervisor threatened to ‘call security’ and Ms Correia responded, ‘Please do’, at which point the United supervisor ran away.”
Correia later told broadcaster KPRC the supervisor had thrown herself on top of her suitcase.
“At this point, we’re both struggling… pulling the suitcase and I’m trying to get her not to take the sticker from me,” she said.
MacNaughton said his client missed her flight and had to miss her first rehearsal, and is also concerned about damage to her hand.
United said in a statement: “We’re disappointed anytime a customer has an experience that does not live up to his or her expectation. We are reaching out to Ms Correia to gain a better understanding of what occurred and to offer assistance.”
The incident comes after United Airlines received widespread criticism for the treatment of a passenger who was forcibly removed from one of its flights to make room for crew.
It was also blasted for the way it initially reacted to the incident, which was also caught on camera and shared on social media.
Bev
Editor in chief Bev Fearis has been a travel journalist for 25 years. She started her career at Travel Weekly, where she became deputy news editor, before joining Business Traveller as deputy editor and launching the magazine’s website. She has also written travel features, news and expert comment for the Guardian, Observer, Times, Telegraph, Boundless and other consumer titles and was named one of the top 50 UK travel journalists by the Press Gazette.
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