Paper: Woman left on plane sues United

Cleaning crew found passenger; airlines probe why jet wasn’t cleared

updated 11:37 a.m. ET, Thurs., May 27, 2010

PHILADELPHIA - The woman left sleeping for four hours on a United Express jet after landing in Philadelphia is suing United Airlines, the Detroit Free Press reported Thursday.

The lawyer of Ginger McGuire, 36, of Ferndale, Mich., said the lawsuit claims false imprisonment, infliction of emotional distress and negligence, the paper said.

According to police and the Transportation Security Administration, the passenger didn't wake up when her United Express flight from Dulles airport outside Washington landed shortly after midnight Tuesday.

At about 4 a.m., a cleaning crew found her and locked her back in, the newspaper reported. Federal officials concerned about terrorists later questioned her.

“We are working closely with our partner Trans States Airlines to investigate the cause and remedy the situation with the customer,” United spokesperson Sarah Massier told the Free Press.

On Wednesday, United said it was working with a regional partner carrier to determine why the plane wasn't cleared upon landing.