Dave Sullivan
Northern News Services

Fort Smith (Mar 11/02) - One of two land claim negotiators booted from a plane and arrested says a stewardess was being rude.

There are two versions of what happened involving South Slave Metis Tribal Council negotiators, who were taken away in handcuffs, after their plane turned around just before takeoff so they could be arrested.

Paul Harrington, of Hay River, and Gary Bailey, of Fort Resolution, are scheduled to appear April 10 in territorial court.

They were arrested after the March 1 Canadian North flight to Hay River made a regular stopover in Fort Smith.

"It was the worst day of my life," Bailey said.

"It was unfair treatment, it was horrible."

He said he wasn't drunk or being rude to attendants, but added he shared his dissatisfaction over service with other first class passengers.

Police, on the other hand, say there is "zero tolerance" for obnoxious behaviour in flight. RCMP Cpl. Duncan Babchuk admits the plane and its passengers were not in danger.

The plane's captain "made the right call."

"(Two men) were warned several times, by the flight attendants and I believe the first officer went back as well and advised them to end it."

According to Babchuk, problems arose when it was announced there were four first-class meals for five passengers.

A flight attendant wanted to know who had a free upgrade to determine who would not get the meal, Babchuk said.

Part of a meal wound up on the floor, and there was a dispute over who should clean the mess.

The final straw for the airline came after passengers re-boarded from the Fort Smith stopover.

"I put my jacket on the seat next to me and the lady comes to me and says either hang your jacket up, put it up top or leave it on your lap," according to Bailey.

"I said is there a problem, a new law or something?"

"She said yes, it's the law, do you want me to spell out the law for you?"

"Then I said this is the worst service I ever had in first class."

"They turned the plane around. Then the cops came and arrested us."

Babchuk said the attendant was crying when he boarded the plane. Fort Smith Mayor Peter Martselos and his wife Freda were on the flight, but neither are talking about the incident.