CHICAGO — A Cincinnati-area man was removed from a United Airlines flight at O’Hare International Airport on Tuesday after asking a flight attendant, three times, whether the aircraft he had boarded was Air Force One.

Gary Plimpton, 54, of suburban Cincinnati, reportedly boarded United Flight 2847 to Denver, settled into seat 24C, and then — according to witnesses — leaned into the aisle and asked the flight attendant, “Quick question: is this Air Force One?”

The flight attendant, a 12-year United employee named Denise, said no.

Plimpton nodded. “Are you sure?” he asked.

Denise said she was sure.

“It’s just,” Plimpton continued, “it’s a little bigger than I remembered from the movie.”

What Followed

According to passengers seated nearby, Plimpton spent the next several minutes examining the overhead compartments with what one witness described as “investigative energy.” He knocked on the lavatory door. He peered toward the cockpit. He asked the man in 24B whether he looked like Secret Service to him.

The man in 24B, a pharmaceutical sales rep from Naperville named Todd, said he did not.

“You’d say that either way,” Plimpton reportedly replied.

A second flight attendant was summoned. Then a third. A brief conversation occurred. A gate agent was called. Gary Plimpton was escorted off the aircraft with his roller bag and a coupon for $75 off a future United flight.

Plimpton’s Account

Reached by phone, Plimpton was philosophical.

“I’m not saying it was Air Force One,” he said. “I’m saying I wanted confirmation. There’s a difference. The President travels. I travel. It’s a small world.”

He acknowledged that the aircraft had United Airlines branding on the exterior, seats with tray tables, and a snack cart.

“Air Force One has food,” he pointed out. “That’s consistent.”

Plimpton said he has seen the 1997 film Air Force One starring Harrison Ford “probably eleven times” and considers himself “pretty knowledgeable on the subject.” He plans to rebook his Denver flight and says he bears United no ill will.

“Denise was very professional,” he said. “I respect that.”

The Broader Context

Aviation security experts note that this is not an isolated phenomenon. Since the release of Air Force One, a small but persistent subset of American travelers has exhibited what psychologists call “presidential aircraft confusion” — a tendency to scrutinize commercial flights for evidence of executive travel.

“The film was very convincing,” said one TSA official, speaking on condition of anonymity. “We see this more than you’d think.”

Gary Plimpton is currently rebooked on the 4:45 to Denver. He has requested a window seat.

“Just in case,” he said.