How much power do pilots have to eject passengers from airplanes before they depart?

Latin Trade, Jan, 2005

According to John Mazor, spokesman for the Air Line Pilots Association, U.S. government regulations and airline rules give pilots the power to boot you for nearly any reason. "The discretion is extremely broad. It goes back to the tradition of being a sea captain," says Mazor. All airlines allow pilots to kick you out for disorderly, abusive or violent conduct.

Foul body odor and blowing kisses at flight attendants are also reasons, says Mazor. Most people get tossed because they disobey the flight crew, come aboard drunk or wear offensive clothing, says American Airlines spokesman Tim Wagner. An American Airlines pilot recently threw out a man who refused to take off or turn inside out a T-shirt depicting a nude couple. LATIN TRADE posed this scenario to Mazor and Delta spokesperson Anthony Black: "You say to a pilot, 'I've read where some pilots fly drunk. Have you been drinking?' Can he eject you?" Black's answer: "It's within his discretion." Mazor's answer: "He can throw you off for being a jackass, but he probably won't."