B737 Next Generation Undifferentiated
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP); Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Multiengine
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 187; Flight Crew Total 10562; Flight Crew Type 10562
Flight Deck / Cabin / Aircraft Event Passenger Misconduct
Human Factors
As we called for push Purser called to inform me that there was an issue with a passenger. I cancelled the push clearance and asked Purser to come to the flight deck. He informed me that a passenger in economy said he wanted to upgrade. He was informed that those seats were full so they were unable to upgrade him. The passenger then proceeded to First Class and sat in an open seat. He was informed that he could not sit there. At that point he informed the flight attendants that he was schizophrenic and he would move back to his assigned seat but if he had a schizophrenic episode it would be 'on the crew.' I interpreted that as a potential threat to the passengers and crew; so I asked for the jet way to return and the passenger be removed. The agent returned and spoke with the passenger. She then spoke with me and relayed what she was told by the passenger. I told her the passenger's version was not accurate and then told her what actually happened. I then said that the passenger needed to be removed. The passenger was removed along with his bags and we departed.
B737 Captain reported a mentally ill passenger was removed from the flight due to threats made by the passenger if not allowed to be upgraded.