In fact the final decision to disembark the passengers in this case was made by the captain and he is the final word on an aircraft just like on a ship at sea. The concern of the original passenger along with the other behaviors exhibited were evaluated by the captain and he made a decision. His decision stands. If after the fact a reevaluation of the situation indicates that the captain was incorrect in his action then that needs to be addressed in an appropriate way, but at the time of the situation the captain is the final word and what he says goes.

>What about the fact that they asked for seatbelt extensions which they didn't need and put them on the floor by their feet? They had one-way tickets (always a flag since 9/11). They switched seats. They all moved around the plane (similar to the hijackers on 9/11). They expressed disdain for the American effort in Iraq and spoke well of Saddam Hussein. All warning signs. If all of that is true (impossible to know for sure at this time), it's no wonder both the passengers and the crew were worried. Still, any passenger can request to be let off a plane if they are scared or worried for their safety and any and all passengers could have done so. I still support the crew though in their decision. It is their right to make the call as to whether or not anyone can fly. They can refuse service to anyone. Just like a restaurant. It is not a right (in which case it would be a totally different situation).
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