Unruly and allegedly racist employees of an Omaha-based construction software company called Buildertrend delayed a Delta Air Lines flight Monday before being removed.
The trouble began prior to boarding, according to a report.
Laura Austin, a witness to the incident, said she saw “a large group of younger people drinking and being loud.”
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The group was made up of at least 30 people, she estimated.
“We heard someone from the group say they had been scheduled to take a Frontier flight to Orlando, but Frontier was having computer issues and they were being detoured through New York,” Austin said.
“When we got on the plane, that group of Buildertrend people were seated near the rear of the plane. We were in first class, but we could all hear them.”
A flight attendant detailed the unruly behavior and said that the crew might have to keep the plane on the ground, according to Austin.
She was “very shaken,” Austin said.
“She told us that she asked some people to put their masks on, and someone called her the N word … She was very upset because here she is trying to do her job and that happens.”
“It’s a shame to see that sort of behavior and racist attitude,” Austin continued, “because I know people in Omaha aren’t typically like that.”
The plane had started its taxi process but was forced to return to the gate, where everyone was told to get off, according to the report.
Airport police conducted an investigation, and roughly 15 to 20 members of the Buildertrend group returned to the plane, Austin said.
“Then they removed two of those people, who we were told had been causing a lot of the trouble,” Austin said. “The rest of the flight, everyone was very quiet and there were no issues at all.”
The Delta team handled the incident well, she said.
The flight was slated for takeoff at 1:10 p.m., but the unruly behavior delayed the takeoff until roughly 3:40 p.m., the report noted.
Several passengers took to social media to share their experiences on the flight.
“@Buildertrend one of your employees just called a flight attendant on my @Delta flight the N word & are being kicked off for that + not wearing masks. Pro tip: if you’re going to send a whole BDR team on a plane & they’re going to be a**holes, don’t give them masks w/ your logo,” one passenger tweeted.
@Buildertrend one of your employees just called a flight attendant on my @Delta flight the N word & are being kicked off for that + not wearing masks. Pro tip: if you’re going to send a whole BDR team on a plane & they’re going to be assholes, don’t give them masks w/ your logo
— Ibby (@StatueofIBBertY) February 7, 2022
“I was also on this flight. These individuals were drunk, disrespectful, and took racist aim at our flight attendant. They also disrupted the lives of everyone on the plane. @Delta your people impress me, flight after flight … sadly, @Buildertrend your people did not,” Austin posted.
I was also on this flight. These individuals were drunk, disrespectful, and took racist aim at our flight attendant. They also disrupted the lives of everyone on the plane. @Delta your people impress me, flight after flight ?? sadly, @Buildertrend your people did not
— Laura Austin (@lmaustin12) February 8, 2022
Buildertrend responded to the online criticism.
“Thank you for bringing this to our attention. We are doing our best to learn more. Plainly, we do not stand by any such behavior,” the company tweeted.
A company statement was released Tuesday apologizing for the actions of its employees.
Buildertrend is “taking this incident very seriously and apologize to the passengers who experienced a disruption as a result,” according to a company spokeswoman.
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“In no way do the behaviors reported on social media align with our core values,” spokeswoman Megan Longo said. “We are working diligently to understand what happened, and are conducting a review with all parties involved, including Delta Airlines and the Eppley Airport Police Department. Once we have a complete understanding of the incident, we will take appropriate action.”
