Influencer Joleen Weiss recently posted a video, crying to her followers after Ryanair refused her boarding for disrespecting their staff at the Francisco Sá Carneiro Airport in Porto, Portugal.
Weiss, who describes herself as a “health and wellness girly with a passion for travel” on TikTok, is based in O‘ahu, Hawaii, and Boston, Massachusetts, according to her bio. She has over a million likes on the platform and more than 14,000 followers.
Several of those followers called Weiss out on her behavior. The comments under the post are almost unanimously in Ryanair’s favor.
“They responded to your rudeness, there’s a difference,” one of her followers wrote.
Joleen Weiss was not allowed to fly after verbally attacking a Ryanair employee
Image credits: joleenweiss
In the TikTok post, which has garnered nearly 85,000 likes and 16,000 shares over the last week, Weiss started with a disclaimer that she shows up as the “happiest and kindest human being to everybody, always.”
With tears in her eyes, Weiss explained that she was running late and was unable to check her bag in at the counter. She approached the gate as other passengers boarded, recording herself.
A Ryanair employee allegedly asked her to stop filming.
Image credits: joleenw
“This f*cking lady, Isabela something, f*ck her,” Weiss said. “She immediately sees me having a sh*t a*s day and is like, ‘You have to delete that video.’”
The employee allegedly said she would call the police if Weiss did not comply.
Weiss claimed that after she followed her instructions, the employee asked her to delete the video from the “Recently Deleted” folder of her phone and show her that it was done.
Image credits: Sandor Somkuti
Next, Weiss alleged that she was charged an additional $75 for her unchecked bag. She claimed she paid the fee, but before walking away, she cursed at the female employee.
“You know what, you’re a b*tch, and it costs zero dollars to be nice to someone,” Weiss recounted her statement, to which “Isabela” allegedly said: “That’s it. You’re not getting on the flight.”
Weiss accused Ryanair of “discrimination” and said, “F*ck Ryanair. I’m literally never flying with them ever again.”
Image credits: joleenw
She added that the airline was also refusing to refund her for the ticket.
“It’s very clear how you treat your customers, and I would rather pay an extra $300 for a ticket than be treated like this and just plain out scammed,” she wrote in the regular caption, and called the experience “extremely disappointing and disheartening.”
The internet did not side with Joleen Weiss after her tirade against Ryanair
Image credits: joleenweiss
Ryanair, an Irish low-cost airline headquartered in Swords, County Dublin, Ireland, is often criticized by patrons for their aggressive cost-cutting tactics and less-than-ideal customer service.
Despite their reputation, netizens sided with the airline and blasted Weiss for her actions.
“Verbal ab*se is not ok,” one person said. “You are wrong.” Another wrote, “Is the kindness in the room with us?”
Image credits: joleenw
“I’m not sure the most positive and happy person would say that to a stranger,” said a third.
“In Europe, you’re not actually meant to film inside the airport,” one chimed in. “There’s signs literally everywhere.”
Another person stated, “Was it your first day flying? You don’t insult gate staff. You don’t insult anyone, really.”
“Do influencers consider themselves 21st-century royalty?” one user commented. One more said, “On the flip side, she’s got no criminal charges and should be grateful.”
Image credits: joleenw
One of them was sarcastic about it: “I’ve flown Ryanair for almost every flight for the last 10 years, and I’ve never been refused boarding, but then I’ve also never verbally ab*sed the gate staff, so that might be why.”
One more penned: “She was late. She committed an illegal offense. Then swore at the attendant…. and she’s confused why they kicked her off???”
Photography in public without prior consent is prohibited in Portugal
As several of Weiss’ followers pointed out in the comment section, many airports in Europe do not allow passengers to film in or beyond the security check-in area.
According to the Government of Canada’s Portugal Travel Advisory, photographing the police, the military, or sensitive installations is prohibited in the country.
It is also illegal to film or photograph the public without their consent. Prior permission is required before taking photos of official buildings or individuals.
The FAQ section of the European Union’s official website states that arriving at the airport late, but before the gates close, is considered non-compliance with the requirement to present oneself for check-in within the time stipulated and therefore does not entitle the passenger to the regular air passenger rights.
Image credits: joleenw
The rules regarding photography are somewhat lax in US airports.
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) “does not prohibit photographing, videotaping or filming at security checkpoints, as long as the screening process is not interfered with or sensitive information is not revealed.”
Image credits: joleenweiss
The TSA lists holding a recording device up to an officer’s face, refusing to assume a proper stance, and blocking other passengers’ movements as possible examples of disrupting the screening process.
Additionally, taking pictures or filming official airport equipment that is shielded from public view is not allowed.
“Committed an illegal offense.” Joleen Weiss did not have the internet’s support after calling out Ryanair
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