They're obviously close. Libby, a therapist, tells me she wasn't surprised to hear he believes he is on the spectrum. "The surprise was more his willingness to say 'this might be the case'," she says.

McCourt has said he wants TikTok to run on technology overseen by the Project Liberty Institute, which he founded. He has been critical of data collection practices of social media companies.

Doctors said earlier in the week he was put into neurological critical care because of increased intracranial pressure. He had been on a ventilator since Sunday.

Advocates appreciate the convenience of avoiding baggage fees and the hassle of overhead bin space — while critics find the concept too limiting.

The snafu was first reported on Reddit's r/Amtrak subreddit in the early morning hours of December 27.

Ursula Daniel

@ursuladaniel