This is from the original source:
The passenger didn't appear obviously drunk though I suppose in retrospect he had been quite friendly and talkative to the passenger sitting next to him who he hadn't met before and that may be a sign he'd been drinking! He seemed to remain calm and polite throughout - though obviously I didn't hear the exchanges that occurred after he left his seat and went to the toilet.
I would in principle agree with you
boardingpass, but
.....and you say "
off I'm going", we pretty much are obliged to consider you a threat to safety, or drunk, or on drugs.
doesn't appear to have been the case, certainly with regard to any initial (if any at all) abusive language or aggresive stance here.
Who knows, perhaps it came down to the CC not wanting to lose face and wanting to assert his/her position of authority over common sense? That wouldn't be a first either!