Massive Fight Erupts in Florida Airport After Spirit Airlines Canceled 9 Flights
Airport travel is often a stress-inducing process for many; however, for Spirit Airlines passengers at the Fort Lauderdale airport in Florida, their time in the terminal resulted in chaos and fighting.
On Monday night, Spirit Airlines canceled nine flights, which led to angry customers crowding around a disorganized ticketing counter.
"Everyone was already aggravated about flight delays and the ridiculousness of standing in such a long line for hours, which Spirit Airlines did nothing to help, and then in walks these people off their flight raising a ruckus (and) cussing and screaming and they went straight to the counter," Cindy Matthews Beard, a Spirit passenger, told CNN.
As Broward County deputies stepped in to diffuse the tension between customers and staff, a fight broke out
The scuffle resulted in a massive brawl which occupied most of the terminal space
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Deputies took some passengers to the ground, 3 of whom were arrested
According to Spirit officials, a lawsuit against their pilot union is to blame for the increased cancellations
"These pilots have put their quest for a new contract ahead of getting customers to their destinations and the safety of their fellow Spirit Team Members," Spirit Airlines spokesman Paul Berry said in a statement.
Over the last seven days, nearly 300 Spirit flights have been canceled nationwide.
In the federal lawsuit filed by the airline, the company claimed the pilots' union — the Airline Pilots Association, International (ALPA) — has coordinated the unlawful and inconvenient slowdown.
However, many feel the airline should have protected its workers and unions and paid fair wages
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