Disruptive pax causes WN diversion

[Dont call me Shirley]

http://www.oregonlive.com/portland/index.ssf/2014/03/southwest_passenger_screams_fo.html#incart_river_default
 
A Southwest Airlines flight made an emergency landing in Portland after a belligerent man terrorized flight crews and passengers with gang signs, Jesus preaching and screams for booze, federal court records obtained Wednesday show....
 
First sign of trouble:  He thought he had a first class ticket.
 

 

[swamt]

He did have a first class ticket.  After all, he was flying Southwest Airlines...

 

[FWAAA]

While he is very likely guilty, the flight crew is to blame for the diversion, as the news articles about this incident paint a clear picture that he was disruptive and should have been off-loaded before they left the gate and/or before they reached the runway.    He had to be asked multiple times at the gate to stow his carryons and responded most un-civilly to those reasonable requests.   He repeatedly pushed the call button and loudly demanded a [blanking] drink while at the gate.   Before they closed the door his obscenities caused another passenger to ask to move herself and her children away from him.  
 
In short, before they reached the runway threshhold, he gave numerous clues that he was an unsuitable passenger.   Taking off was a huge mistake.   The FAs failed to adequately inform the flight deck of his infirmities and/or the pilots exercised some very poor judgment if the FAs did adequately inform them.   

 

[swamt]

If he was acting up prior to launch then yes I would agree with you.