How Africa News
Spirit Airlines has apologized to a passenger after surveillance video showed staff under a vendor contract stealing items from his carry-on bag before dumping his other belongings in a garbage receptacle.
The video also shows a Spirit Airlines gate agent stealing some of Keyonne Brooks’ belongings, according to CBS News. Brooks was involved in an argument at the gate before boarding his trip on February 19 at the Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport.
The irate passenger was on his way back to Los Angeles after attending a funeral. Brooks had sought to speak with a manager before boarding the plane during the confrontation at the gate, but had left his carry-on luggage at the ticket desk.
Brooks sought security footage through a public records request after struggling to collect his suitcase after submitting a lost-and-found claim. The airport eventually provided him with video of where he left his suitcase.
“She was dumping it out, maliciously,” Brooks said in reference to the worker’s actions. He also said he decided to take action because he “had a gut feeling that something went wrong.”
A Spirit Airlines employee is seen in the video scooping up Brooks’ bag and carrying it to the rear of the counter. After the passengers board the plane, she is spotted going through the bag.
“I did notice that she was stuffing some things in her pocket. I don’t know if that was my jewelry or my crystals,” Brooks said, adding that bag contained items including jewelry and life-saving medication.
The worker is also seen carrying Brooks’ bag to a garbage bin before other coworkers join her. The worker can be seen opening the medicine and emptying the contents into the garbage container. Her colleague is also seen laughing and documenting what is going on. Brooks’ luggage and other belongings are eventually dumped in the garbage receptacle by the gate agent.
“My heart just sunk because for instance there was a family heirloom in there. If they don’t find the garbage bag with my contents, then I’ll never get that back,” Brooks said.
Spirit refunded Brooks’ flight ticket after he got in touch with the company and sent them the video, CBS News reported. But he does not believe this is the first time that an incident of such nature has occurred.
“If it happened to me and I got the video footage, how many other people has this happened to?” he questioned.
Spirit said in a statement that an investigation into the occurrence has been initiated. The airline also stated that the vendor has suspended the contract workers and that compensation for the things in Brooks’ suitcase is being processed rapidly. Yet, Brooks claims that the vendor has requested receipts, despite the fact that he has none for his family antiques and jewelry.
“We are aware of this matter, and our vendor suspended four of their employees at Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY) pending an investigation into the matter,” Spirit said in the statement.
“Spirit Airlines is committed to treating all Guests with respect and delivering high-quality service, and we will take appropriate action as necessary following the completion of the vendor’s investigation.”
The airline added: “Spirit has already issued a refund for the flight on February 23, and the vendor is expediting the compensation for the items.”
