B737-800
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Situational Awareness
Flight Deck / Cabin / Aircraft Event Passenger Misconduct; Flight Deck / Cabin / Aircraft Event Passenger Electronic Device
General None Reported / Taken
Human Factors
While the passengers were boarding; the Number 1 Flight Attendant told me a passenger yelled at her in front of the first class passengers. She wanted the passenger removed. I was hesitant thinking it was just an outburst. I received another report from a male flight attendant saying she wanted help with her bag. The flight attendant told her he does not put passenger bags in the overhead. She told him [this company] does not want to help her because she is black. I told him just tell her to behave. We pushed back from the gate. I got a call saying the passenger would not turn off the cell phone and she was calling to make a complaint. I told him; ok; I am going to make a PA. During the PA I said; if the passenger using the phone does not turn it off we were going to go back to the gate.I didn't hear another complaint until we were deplaning. I was told she was complaining and trying to get other passengers riled up during the flight. She was recording the flight attendants during their service. When she was getting off she said it was the worst flight she had ever been on; and what kind of landing was that? The first officer said she was cursing and complaining all the way into the building. I was worried about an incident like the flight where the passenger refused to deplane and was dragged out. After the flight when I heard she was accusing [this company] of racism; recording the crew; and the crew saying she was looking for a confrontation it confirmed my suspicion.Maybe the woman was looking for compensation or celebrity status. A first officer gave me a good suggestion the same day. He said; if the passenger does not deplane; everyone must deplane. When everyone gets off. Allow everyone on except the unruly passenger. I think after 9/11 the passengers were very respectful of the crews. Since then; it has diminished.
B737 Captain reported they had an uncooperative passenger who was apparently attempting to provoke a reaction and receive compensation.