Challenges Passengers To Get Off, “If You Have The Balls.”

Already frustrated over a 5 hour weather and refueling delay, passengers on an American Eagle flight were first shocked and then refused to fly after their flight attendant berated them over the plane’s intercom by announcing,  "If anyone has the balls to want to get off, I’ll let you get off. Get off!"

Tempers were already running high when Flight Attendant Jose Serrano took to the intercom and dared the passengers to get off the aircraft.  According to the New York Post, the New York to Raleigh, NC, flight had already been delayed 2 and a half hours for rain before the passengers were finally able to board the aircraft. Another 40 minute delay on board the plane forced the Captain to announce they would have to return to the gate to have the plane refueled. The passengers deplaned and then were re-boarded four and a half hours after scheduled departure time. Then came Serrano’s outburst during which he also said he could not control the weather.

When some passengers then refused to fly with Serrano, police were called in and took him off the aircraft for questioning, a move that forced the flight to be canceled, a full seven hours after its scheduled departure. Police say the flight was canceled because the removal of Serrano left too few flight attendants available. American Eagle says it was weather that forced the cancellation which means it did not have to cover the passengers’ hotel costs.

The entire exchange was captured on cell phone video and has gone viral on the Internet. One army veteran who was among the passengers said,  "I’ve been in five tours in Iraq and Afghanistan," (and) I’ve never felt anxiety like I did sitting on that plane."

Both the New York Police and the FAA are investigating.

FMI: www.aa.com