Source: Chicago Sun-Times
Author: Bill Zwecker

Chicago-based United Airlines is profitable for the first time in six years, but is dealing with a possible lawsuit and boycott spearheaded by actress and comedian Mo'Nique.

It all started right here when the entertainer and her entourage were booted from a New York-bound United flight at O'Hare Sunday -- Mo'Nique was traveling to the Big Apple to tape two gigs as a guest co-host on ''The View.''

Mo'Nique has been mentioned as one of many possible replacements for Star Jones Reynolds on the daily chatfest.

The United brouhaha started when Mo'Nique's hairdresser (seated in coach) attempted to put something (the New York Daily News reported it was a hair dryer) in Mo'Nique's carry-on in the compartment above her seat in first class.

Apparently, a flight attendant challenged the assistant, and Mo'Nique lost her cool when another United attendant told her, ''Tell your people that the next time they have an attitude, they are being thrown off. ... Since 9/11, we don't play around.''

Furious about being compared to a terrorist, Mo'Nique allegedly became extremely agitated -- leading to her being escorted off the plane.

Chicago Police officers were called but, after analyzing the situation, decided no charges were warranted.

Mo'Nique's original flight departed, and she and her entourage took a later flight to New York that night.

The entertainer, whose full name is Mo'Nique Imes-Hicks, considers the incident racially motivated and calls the entire experience ''humiliating'' and ''something that happens to black people all the time. They don't have a voice. I have a voice.''

United spokeswoman Jean Medina regrets the way Mo'Nique felt she was treated, but adds, ''There was a confrontation involving a customer that caused the flight to be delayed. When a situation occurs on a flight that causes a delay or disruption, we must act in the best interest of all of our customers.''

Mo'Nique's representative says she is considering a lawsuit against the airline and encourages all African Americans to boycott United.

*While clearly there was a lack of good judgment on both sides here, I should mention a conversation I had last week -- totally unrelated to the incident mentioned above. A Chicago publicist who has dealt with hundreds of major stars over the years (and recently handled local publicity for Mo'Nique's film ''Phat Girlz") told me ''the very worst and most demanding'' celebrity she's ever faced was Mo'Nique -- "and especially her posse."