American airlines screwed up. The police questioned the guy for 2 hours, cleared him, and the other 2 by the way who were Israelis, and still the airline wouldn't board him. Sometimes the business involved in these cases really is wrong. In any case the award will be reduced on appeal. The guy will probably wind up with much less than this jury award.
No they didn't. Read Part 135 of the Federal Aviation Regulations. It is the Captain's decision as to who flys and who doesn't. If the Captain thinks you are a threat to the aircraft and or the passengers it is his decision to let you fly or remove you from the flight.
This jury and this ridiculous judgment they awarded is yet another glaring example of what is wrong with our judicial system. A LOT of people are probably going to die because of this jury and their stupidity.....hopefully the airline will win on appeal.