A dispute over carry-on baggage fees escalated into a security breach at Miami International Airport (MIA) Sunday night, resulting in the arrest of three Philadelphia–bound travelers who allegedly forced their way onto an aircraft against airline orders.
The incident, which occurred around 9:50 p.m. on March 29, led to the evacuation of all passengers on Frontier Airlines flight F9-1204 and a significant delay for the evening departure.
According to Miami-Dade Police Department arrest reports, the altercation began when Frontier Airlines staff informed Nafisa Dockery, 30, Davana Cochran, 26, and Dionjana Cochran, 21, that they possessed more carry-on items than their tickets permitted. When instructed to pay the additional fees, the trio allegedly engaged in a “verbal altercation” with gate agents.
Reports indicate that Dockery dismissed the staff’s directives, allegedly telling her companions, “We don’t have to listen, let’s just go.”
Despite explicit warnings from airline personnel that boarding without authorization would trigger law enforcement involvement, the women bypassed the gate podium. They reportedly entered the jet bridge through a door clearly marked “Restricted Area” for authorized personnel only, effectively breaching airport security protocols to board the aircraft.
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The situation intensified once the women occupied their seats and refused to comply with airline managers and arriving Miami-Dade deputies. Because the women’s boarding passes had been revoked, their presence on the aircraft was deemed a trespass.
When the suspects ignored repeated warnings to exit the plane, authorities were forced to deboard all passengers to safely carry out the arrests.
The transition into custody was marked by a “brief struggle.” Police records state the women tensed their bodies and pulled away to avoid being handcuffed. During the removal, Dockery allegedly spat on a Frontier employee, leading to an additional charge of battery.
The incident was captured in a viral social media video, showing the women being escorted through the terminal by multiple officers while shouting at onlookers. The disruption delayed the Philadelphia flight by more than an hour.
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The three women were booked into the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center. They face charges of:
- Trespassing on property after a warning.
- Resisting an officer without violence.
- Battery (specifically Nafisa Dockery).
Frontier Airlines and Miami International Airport officials have not yet issued formal statements regarding the security lapse at the gate. The investigation remains active as authorities review terminal surveillance footage.
