U.S. Navy sailor accuses Frontier gate agent of trying to extort him to board flight to LA
A U.S. Navy sailor trying to fly back to his Los Angeles area base claims a Frontier gate agent refused to let him board his flight unless he paid her.
"I was like man this is crazy," Demonta Roach said. "I actually get up in the morning. I fight for this country, word hard, break my back and I come back home to things like this."
Petty Officer Roach said the incident happened at Hartsfield Jackson International Airport after he spent Veterans Day weekend with his family in Atlanta. He was waiting to board his flight to LAX when he said it got delayed at the gate.
"I went and grabbed a bite a eat and once I came back, the lady closed the door," Roach said.
He said the gate agent told him he was late and would not let him onto the flight back to LA. He denies that he was late and claims the gate agent told him to pay her $50 if he wanted to get on.
"I said 'Well, look, I am in the Navy, just trying to get back," Roach recalled. "I kept my composure."
Roach claims the gate agent said, "I don't give a damn what you're in give me my money."
He said he was able to board the flight after he pretended to send the money to her account. Roach also claimed another agent said the fee is usually $150 but since he was in the military they would only charge him $50.
Frontier Airlines said they were going to investigate the claims.
"We take these accusations very seriously and are investigating them fully," the airliner wrote in a statement. "We appreciate this customer bringing the situation to our attention, and have provided a full refund for his reservation as well as a voucher for future travel."
Roach said the refund and voucher isn't enough.
"They showed no remorse towards me and like I said, I begun to get angry but the military teaches us to keep our composure," he said. "A flight isn't enough, free flight — a voucher, that is not enough. This is not going to cut it.
KCAL News contacted the number roach said the gate agent put in his phone but no one answered or returned our messages.