Passenger removed from Gov. Christie's flight

SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. (WPVI) -- Gov. Chris Christie was traveling from San Francisco to Boston when a passenger had to be removed from the plane before takeoff.

Christie spokeswoman Maria Comella said in a statement the Republican presidential candidate, an aide and a member of his security detail were traveling Friday morning from San Francisco to Boston aboard a United Airlines flight when a passenger was removed before takeoff at the airline's request.

The passenger reportedly got out of his seat, paced back and forth and took pictures of the flight crew. He refused to sit back down, so the pilot decided to turn the plane around.

Comella says at no point did the governor interact with the passenger, nor did the passenger pose a verbal or physical threat to Christie.

It's unclear why the passenger was removed.

Messages left with United were not immediately returned.