San Francisco: A quick-thinking pilot defused an on board racially-charged dispute over Donald Trump's electoral triumph by scolding the passengers involved on the intercom and warned others that political discussion on the plane could lead to eviction.
The captain on the United Airlines flight from San Francisco to Puerto Vallarta had to intervene over the intercom after a racially-charged argument broke out between two passengers.
A YouTube video of the incident that occurred last week has since gone viral with more than half a million views and numerous comments praising the pilot's constructive advice in the midst of election season that has left the country deeply divided.
"I understand everybody has their opinions; that's fine. If you support (President-elect Donald Trump), great. If you don't, I understand," the pilot said over the public address system.
"However, we're out here to go to Puerto Vallarta, supposed to be having a good time, and what I do ask is that as people we have the common decency to respect each others' decisions and to get along on this three hour and thirteen minute flight so that we can have a good time when we get down there," he was quoted as saying by CBS News.
The person who posted the video said the trouble began when a white male passenger made a remark about being "glad to have kept his guns" to an African-American woman, who "began to cry and freak out". The pair reportedly had to be separated.
United Airlines said there was a politics-related argument on board, but did not provide further details on the matter, nor did the company identify the pilot. Airlines spokesman Maddie King simply said the pilot's words helped put an end to the confrontation.
"Our pilot was doing his best to defuse an argument between two customers in order to get our customers to their final destination safely," King said.
The captain told passengers that he would not tolerate any more disturbances, especially if it involves politics.
"Nobody wants to argue, nobody wants - nobody is going to change their minds by arguing," he said.
"And let's keep our opinions to ourselves on this particular matter at this particular time," he said.
The pilot ended with the warning, "If there's anyone that has a problem with this, that needs to vent or rant or rave - there's another flight tomorrow. You're not going to be on this one. I hope that's clear."
Passengers responded with cheers and applause.
