Armed police throw Scottish pensioner off a Ryanair flight
A pensioner was escorted from a flight by armed police after she refused to put her bagpipes in the hold.
Jennifer Hutcheon, 67, was returning home from Belgium after playing a lament at the grave of her First World War veteran grandfather James High-Spence 100 years on from his death.
The award-winning piper was then marched out of Charleroi Airport by police and soldiers after a row with Ryanair staff at the boarding gate.
Ms Hutcheon, of Perth, Scotland, said the spat began when she refused to let Ryanair staff check her bagpipes and the attendant 'went overboard'.
Jennifer Hutcheon, 67, was thrown off a flight by armed police after refusing to check her bagpipes at an airport in Belgium. She had been visiting the country to play a lament at her First World War veteran grandfather's grave, pictured
The award-winning piper, pictured, said her 'emotional trip' to Belgium to pay tribute to her relative was 'ruined' by her experience with Ryanair
She told the Daily Record: 'The next thing is that two police officers and two soldiers with big guns are telling me to leave the queue and they marched me across the airport to some offices.
'I was then led out to an exit and told to go on my way.'
Ms Hutcheon claimed the trouble began because staff decided there were 'too many suitcases for the cabin' and started choosing bags to put in the hold.
She said she was concerned the 'priceless' pipes would be damaged and refused to part with them.
Ms Hutcheon spent the night with a friend and shelled out £472 on a new ticket to return home the next day â€" also with Ryanair â€" taking the pi pes on board as hand luggage.
The firm said it had followed its baggage police and claimed Ms Hutcheon 'became disruptive' (file picture)Â
She told the record the incident followed an emotional moment at her grandfather's grave, where she played a piece to mark the exact moment he was killed by a German shell aged 25 on July 7, 1917.
Ms Hutcheon said: 'It was a lovely, but hugely emotional, trip for us that has now been completely ruined by this man's actions. I don't want anyone else to be treated like that ever again.'
A spokesman for Ryanair said: 'This customer was one of the last to board the aircraft and in line with our cabin baggage policy was asked to place her bag in the hold as the overhead lockers were full, but refused and became disruptive.Â
'Local police were called and removed the individual from the terminal. The safety and comfo rt of our customers, crew and aircraft is our number one priority and we will not tolerate unruly or disruptive behaviour at any time.Â
'This now a matter for local police.'Â
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