A passenger on a Florida-bound flight threatened the flight crew after he refused to turn off his cell phone as the plane was getting ready to leave LaGuardia Airport Monday, authorities said.
The Spirit Airlines flight was set to take off for Fort Lauderdale at 10:50 a.m., and as it was preparing to depart, the dispute erupted.
"A customer would not comply with instructions to turn off his cell phone and made a threat to the flight crew," the airline said.
Police were called and the man was taken off the flight. He was in custody.
Passengers were re-screened and bags were checked again, as a precaution before the flight left.
The flight had 145 passengers and five crew members.
