Warning: This article contains a discussion about suicide that some readers may find distressing.
An incident involving an army veteran being removed from a plane due to her t-shirt has sparked controversy. The veteran, Catherine Banks, was set to fly from San Francisco International Airport with Delta Air Lines to visit her ‘marine sister’ when a flight attendant deemed her shirt ‘threatening’ and removed her from the aircraft.
This event occurred on Wednesday, October 16, leaving Banks feeling embarrassed as she was escorted off the plane in the presence of other passengers. The male flight attendant insisted she remove her top, even though Banks was not wearing a bra underneath.
Banks recounted the unpleasant experience to NBC, stating: “A male flight attendant was saying, ‘Ma’am, ma’am.’ I looked around, like, ‘Who was he talking to?’ and it was me. He said, ‘You need to get off the plane,’ and I was like, ‘What did I do?'”
Initially, Banks was unaware of what she had done wrong. It wasn’t until she was off the plane that she was informed of the issue.
On the jet bridge, the flight attendant clarified that her shirt was the reason she couldn’t fly.
So, what exactly was on the shirt?
Contrary to what some might assume, it wasn’t an offensive slogan. Instead, the t-shirt carried a meaningful message for Banks, reflecting her compassionate nature.
The shirt read: “Do not give in to the war within. End veteran suicide.”
Surprisingly, this powerful message was the reason for Banks being removed from her seat.
To provide some context on the importance of her message, consider these alarming statistics on veteran suicide. According to Stop Soldier Suicide, veterans face a 72% higher risk of suicide compared to non-veterans, with more than 6,000 veterans dying by suicide each year for the past two decades.
From 2001, over 131,000 veterans have died by suicide, with 6,392 deaths occurring in 2021 alone.
This t-shirt held significant meaning for Banks. She told the news outlet about her ordeal, stating: “He said that shirt you’re wearing is threatening.”
“I said, ‘Are you kidding me? I’m a Marine Corps vet. I’m going to see my Marine sister. I’ve been in the Marine Corps for 22 years and worked for the Air Force for 15 years. I’m going to visit her.’ He said, ‘I don’t care about your service, and I don’t care about her service. The only way you’re going to get back on the plane is if you take it off right now.'”
Banks was then compelled to remove her top on the jet bridge and don a sweatshirt. It was only after this that she was allowed to re-board the plane. However, she was not permitted to sit in her paid seat with extra legroom.
Instead, she was assigned a standard seat at the back of the plane.
This delay caused Banks to miss her connecting flight.
A Delta Air Lines spokesperson commented: “The matter with the customer has been resolved. We appreciate her patience as we continue to work to understand what occurred during this event. Most importantly, we are thankful for her service to our country.”
If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health crisis, assistance is available through Mental Health America. You can call or text 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org. Another option is the Crisis Text Line, which can be reached by texting MHA to 741741.
If you or someone you know requires immediate mental health support, contact the National Suicide Prevention Hotline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255). This Helpline is a free, confidential crisis service available 24/7 to everyone.