"Ordinary Passengers"

Once they were inside of the London airport, the Beatles gave a press conference to talk about what had happened in Manila, because by July 8th news had been reported to the press.   The guys tried to explain how they were treated and how they and their entourage were pushed around.  John makes the funny comment about how they kept saying that he was an "ordinary passenger" while pushing him along.

I honestly don't think when the Beatles gave this press conference that the public really comprehended just how terrifying the experience was.  The Beatles were always known for saying funny things at press conferences and quick to joke.      I don't think the full experience was understood until much later.