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Flight attendant loses 2 teeth in assault by passenger

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A Southwest Airlines flight attendant was assaulted by a passenger and lost two teeth in the attack last weekend, according to a union president, who complained to the airline’s CEO about unruly passengers. “Unfortunately, this is just one of many occurrences,” said the union president, Lyn Montgomery. She said there were 477 incidents of “misconduct” by passengers on Southwest planes between April 8 and May 15. A Southwest spokesman said Tuesday that the incident happened Sunday morning after a… (www.yahoo.com) More...

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nanifarfar
Kim Young 41
Kudos to the passenger who intervened!
briansfreeman
Brian Freeman 25
Society is becoming increasingly populated with former "time out" children who have never been told 'no' in their delicate lives let alone told to respect authority/rules or taught proper conflict resolution. It's this way on the ground, why would it be any different at FL300?? It's only going to get worse as many "time out" children are now parents. Make sure you have dental insurance...
SkyAware123
SkyAware123 7
yep. there's no consequences for bad behavior, that's how they're raised. 'he's such a good boy/girl'.... drop them from the plane at 10K ft.
alexa320
alex hidveghy 3
Actually, there is.read what they are above! Apparently, not a lot of people know that. If they did,they’d think twice about doing that shit. Good luck.
thecohorts
Matt LaMay 7
It makes you wonder who raised these people…
topgunnh
Peter McGrath 8
raised by people that wanted to be a "friend" instead of being a parent!
twschmidt4
twschmidt4 2
Well stated.
jmilleratp
jmilleratp 72
Federal Prison and some real jail time are the only answers here.
bcanderson
Brian Anderson 53
Not only that, but she should be held civilly liable for damages in addition to the criminal charges.
alexa320
alex hidveghy 5
She most certainly will be! She’s already banned from ever flying in southwest and likely facing criminal, assault charges as well as federal crew interference charges. The FAA have a zero tolerance policy to this kind of behavior and if she’s not looking at jail time, she is most definitely looking at a civil fine of at least $10k, if not more. I hope it was worth all that and getting a criminal record.....
SkyAware123
SkyAware123 2
civil fine? Uh, how about a lawsuit from the victim over this? She might be traumatized for life and this is her job. Freaking animals. I'd jump in and help her out if I'd see this happen.
alexa320
alex hidveghy 0
Civil is from the FAA. They’ve already done this dozens of times over the past year. So, in ADDITION to any lawsuits.
I’m in the industry and read this stuff almost every week!
Get reading, it’s amazing what you can find......other than that, I agree!!
SkyAware123
SkyAware123 -1
uhm get reading yourself. That's basically what I Said.
alexa320
alex hidveghy 0
Ditto!
Read my last line....🤦‍♂️🤷🏼‍♂️🙄
butc
You are so correct, so many do not want to correct their children and these poor souls do not know about consequences of bad behavior.
jmadunleavy
John D 23
Pretty clear that air marshals are in short supply.
dwilson100k
Don Wilson -2
No they are being reassigned to Maxine Waters security detail!
fireftr
Dale Ballok 5
Good one!😂
AAaviator
AAaviator 3
No kidding Don! And don't let the down voters get to you. For the longest time, I've observed the humorless intolerant left will spitefully and petulantly gang up with their trademark "cancel" finger/s and down vote anything that doesn't comport with their ideology. If you don't believe me, just watch the liberal trolls who come out from their elitist caves and down vote me off the page. Yep, just watch - in 3,2,1...
HORNETDRIVR
Mike Taylor 0
I was able to negate one of thee down votes.
waypoint66
David Rice -3
The “fluffy doe” pilots (FFDOs) are there to save you, right? Ha!
patpylot
patrick baker 46
this attacker deserves being caged for a good long time, no excuses could possibly mitigate the assault on the flight attendant. There in jail, mental health services could be made available, as well as bus schedules for the rest of this felon's life.
mohenley
Mark Henley 3
Mental health services? Really? Don't waste my tax money on someone that just can't control themselves - period. A long stint in a federal prison and both criminal fines and a big civil suit award that bankrupts her sounds about right to me.
philmcgowan
Phil McGowan 10
You do realize that long stint in jail also costs taxpayers a lot of money right?
Scumhook
Scumhook 8
That must be some of that "new math" I keep hearing about...
ASYF
Amihai Freed 1
The U.S. prison system charges convicts for their time in prison, so technically, it shouldn't do anything to our taxpayer dollars beyond lending from them.
jimsarushfan
Huck Finn 1
The punishment should fit the crime. What is the standard punishment for assault? That should govern the sentence. Arbitrary punishment is unconstitutional and falls under the 'cruel and unusual' category.
alexa320
alex hidveghy 2
See you response above regarding punishment. It’s a federal crime and the FAA have a zero tolerance policy here. See what has happened to others, it ain’t pretty, I guarantee that.
ASYF
Amihai Freed 1
This is more than a simple assault!
The flight attendant is responsible for responding to emergencies on board the aircraft and managing evacuations in the event of a crash. Remember that an aircraft can't just pull over to the side of the road to wait for help to arrive, and inside it is a small, confined, crowded space, even in the largest airlines. So, there is nowhere to run away, and an assault on one person can easily cause injury to a third person. The flight attendant is the primary airline representative and the first responder to any emergency, with follow-up sometimes being more than 4 hours away. So no, this can't be governed simply by the standard punishment for assault.

Many people fear flying, to begin with, an assault on the flight attendant can also cause major emotional distress to many of the other passengers. The chain-reaction could cause disruption of the entire flight, including diversion, or judgment lapses among the crew flying the aircraft.
wisellort
Michael Wise 15
What is wrong with people these days?
DonMc123
DON MCLAIN 10
Just look at our political leaders on both sides of the aisle and you can get a feeling of what has happened to people.

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alexa320
alex hidveghy -9
Says the trumper!what happened to the fat, orange bastard then?

[This comment has been downvoted. Show anyway.]

MikeMohle
Mike Mohle 29
I flew SWA a couple of times last week (without my wife-beater shirt...LOL) and they are not even serving booze yet. They may want to hold off reintroducing it!
dpadhye
dpadhye 3
They just did!
twschmidt4
twschmidt4 3
The article didn’t mention alcohol being involved.
topgunnh
Peter McGrath 1
Jeez, imagine if there was! What more do you want?
cardinal47
Jeannie Elam 13
Personally if you can’t follow rules and assault flight attendant you show be banned from flying any airline ever again theses lowlifes need to know you mean business. So sad for front people ❤️🌹❤️🌹
FlightNerd
David French 3
My thoughts exactly - the airlines should get together and build a 'no-fly' list for anyone who exhibits this kind of behaviour.
JBI2k4
J B 11
Apart from these newsy incidents there's a lot of micro-misbehavior on flights, mostly booze boors. Alcohol should be capped, maybe one drink every two hours.
SkyAware123
SkyAware123 0
Wasn't even served on this plane. State facts or shut up
watkinssusan
this is just another type of "road rage", only its someone in an airplane and thank the lord they are screened for weapons by tsa!!there are SOME reasons a person might turn violent suddenly,like having PTSD or being clausterphobic,but other than that,there are none..the woman deserves a lot of jail time and federal prosecution, as well as paying for the flight attendants medical bills!
alexa320
alex hidveghy 2
Well, she's probably going to do time for the assault, no question plus a hefty fine from the FAA (see my previous comments above). And, it is a federal crime to disobey a crew member, FAA has been fining people like this a MINIMUM< of $10k! Hope she has a rich donor.......
Bursk
Randall Bursk 10
New normal. Heart goes out to anybody on the front lines. Easier and more fun to treat people nice. Quick recovery to the Flight Attendant.
waypoint66
David Rice -3
Front lines? Is that where flight attendants perceive themselves to be? Ha!
AWAAlum
AWAAlum 1
That wasn't even hinted at. It was the writer's viewpoint.
Jaime1949
Jaime Terrassa 10
fine the individual a few were it hurts not just a few hundred dollars, have him pay for the flight attendance time of from work pay for the dental damage and ban the attacker from future flights not just from southwest
21voyageur
21voyageur 8
In this case, its make "her" pay and IMHO, there is an opportunity to set a precedent. If guilty, , , : jail, 1 year, no bail, never fly again. Next?
alexa320
alex hidveghy 1
Already happening! Read above comments from people that know how this is handled....
alexa320
alex hidveghy 2
The MINIMUM FAA fine is $10k! And that doesn't even address the assault charges and medical bills. This will cost that woman dearly. She will likely be placed on a no-fly list, too and not just SWA. She's basically ruined her life now with a criminal record and she'll have to take the Greyhound bus in future. No airline would want her "business" after this. They all share info among themselves, so don't be surprised. She will, no doubt when she finds out.....
waypoint66
David Rice 3
Yes, these civil penalties are already available and certainly are being pursued. So, your advice to create such penalties is completely unnecessary. BTW, welcome to America, since it appears you are new here.
williamableman
How many people here remember when people got dressed up to fly on an airline and totally behaved themselves and treated the flight crew with great respect and younger people were in awe of them?!

[This comment has been downvoted. Show anyway.]

StephenV
StephenV 30
This is what happens when you raise a generation "graduating" from every grade, receiving trophies for participating, and never correcting antisocial behavior because you want to be their friend and not their parent.
Johnf1234
john fiore 7
Excellent, frightening thing is that these beasts are also parents
21voyageur
21voyageur 14
Maybe a bit of a generalization but I can't dispute. Privileged/spoiled generation raised on instant gratification. Time to start setting examples. Forget fines (family will pay). Straight to jail. Repeat as required until cause and effect is simple and understood at large. Anyway my 2 cents worth.
ADXbear
ADXbear 15
Question, is this happening on the legacy carriers? Is SWA attracting the scumbags due to cheaper fares or what is the reason?
These offenders need to go directly to jail with hugh fines and permeate flying bands on ANY airline.. take the train or bus..
watkinssusan
adxbear...LONG before covid issues and quarantine and people finally feeling its ok to fly or go on a vacation,the attitudes and types of people flying started to change there was a distinctive change from the 70's to the 80's when all of the carriers began the really cheap competative fares, and the "class" of flying turned into the so called "bus riders" ...i can testify to that fact as an airline employee for many years,as we used to talk about it frequently and we were "frontline" to it..
21voyageur
21voyageur 8
These days, and for a while now, there is no glory in flying. A 737 at 37,000 feet is simply a bus at altitude.
dpadhye
dpadhye 5
When a major planemaker decides to call itself Airbus, it pretty much says it all :-)
waypoint66
David Rice 2
Glory? You somehow remember days when there was “glory” in passenger air travel? Wow, you’re old (that coming from a 55 year old).
iaincmaciver
Iain Maciver 15
I go back further. The change is even more dramatic. In the 50-60’s civility was the order of the day. I remember a woman on one PanAm flight - mink stole, hat, beautifully coiffured. Oh lets not forget legroom, proper cutlery, etc etc. Mind you I dont miss the smoking. My last flight, albeit out of the caribbean, tank tops barely retaining body parts…
TimDyck
Tim Dyck 3
In those early years the airlines treated customers differently but few people could afford to travel like they do today...or did two years ago befor COVID hit. Now even welfare recipients feel entitled to a vacation every year and planes are filled with people who lack the manners that we were used to not that long ago. I can’t imagine anyone verbally abusing crew even in the early 2000s but now it’s become common.
A6SEA
Bill Butler -5
Interesting take. Are you a psychology major?

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SkyAware123
SkyAware123 4
cheap flights or not, it should be ZERO reason to become aggressive. That's some stupid reasoning, you elitist moron.
fireftr
Dale Ballok 2
Just like all the random shootings.
This can happen on any carrier at any time!
paultrubits
paul trubits 2
SWA is a legacy carrier now. Do not confuse them with Spirit.
yozzause
DEREK HUGHES 1
im sure bus companies and train operators don't want them either!
TheDogeof88
Chuck Lavazzi 1
It's certainly true that as flying became more affordable, it meant that the average airline passenger started to more closely resemble the average American. The only refuge these days is to fly business class, especially on long flights.
waypoint66
David Rice 1
SWA is not a “legacy carrier”? Are they not one of the “big 4” anymore?
GaAubie
Ken Hardy 20
Another reason why I don't miss the " Friendly skies " of commercial flying now that I am officially retired, the best airborne experience is flying my J3 Cub with the doors off on a warm sunny day.
PegLegJim
Jim Welch 1
AMEN!
AWAAlum
AWAAlum 7
Aside from the horrendous way people are allowing themselves to behave, I find it equally as disturbing that out of an entire plane load of people, no one came to her aid as the incident escalated. Rather than being such low paid employees, cabin crews might warrant hazardous duty pay. It's a world gone mad.
baingm
Gary Bain 3
Actually one man did come to her assistance.
HORNETDRIVR
Mike Taylor 2
Probably worried about being sued. You're just one over-eager TORT lawyer away from losing everything in a civil suit. Right or wrong, doesn't matter.
waypoint66
David Rice 1
“Allowing themselves to behave”? Really? Your inner dialog must be hilarious! Please keep posting, the world does not have enough humor.
AWAAlum
AWAAlum 2
I love love love it when I'm appreciated.
21voyageur
21voyageur 6
Just wondering if anybody has the facts but is this primarily an American issue? Obviously not exclusively but this is getting ugly and is a sad comment on cultural maturity during these challenging times.
twschmidt4
twschmidt4 5
Lots of things happening in USA is because of our political climate.
Johnf1234
john fiore 4
Yes, primarily an American issue.
jbermo
jbermo 11
When does the FAA weigh in on this? A required crewmember was (arguably) incapacitated here.
alexa320
alex hidveghy 1
They have. Look at the many comments above on this very topic. You don't need to worry, it's been ongoing for quite some time. I can send you article for the past 6 months if you like??!!.....
vulcancruiser
Ban them for life on SWA and send them directly to jail for 90 days. They will lose their jobs and be felons for life......something they won't soon forget.......
alexa320
alex hidveghy 1
Already done! see comments above.
Johnf1234
john fiore 5
Very common occurrence in a country where everybody is out of control.
phowry
Phil Howry 9
This incident is a very sad commentary on the level of civility in our culture; violence is not a productive, or constructive, dispute resolution method.
DonMc123
DON MCLAIN 4
Yes it is. The scorched Earth thinking of so many is damaging our country.

[This comment has been downvoted. Show anyway.]

c14239
John Dalinsky 8
Mutts like this have no respect for instructions given by police and were surprised they have no respect for flight attendants?
sweeper239
sweeper239 3
They should charge all of these people with a FELONY! Convict them and sentence to one year in jail and a fine that's appropriate.
waypoint66
David Rice 0
Yes, of course that is what is going to happen. Thanks for your advice. Now if only lawmakers thought of that...oh they already did? Wow.
sweeper239
sweeper239 3
and ban them from flying
iffmode4
Chris Croft 5
I Googled "People Like avionik99" here's the results: These people are generally low self esteem individuals who have been failures at most everything in life. The internet gives them a platform to look at people they feel are more inferior to them, which in some strange way makes them feel less inferior. What I don't understand is why this person feels a need to bring his pathetic, bigoted views to an aviation website
highlite
highlite 17
Americans have become a very violent and confrontational race. It is mislabelled as assertiveness.
ADAvViation
Antonello Davi 11
Americans are not a RACE. And there is plenty of violence happening elsewhere.
Your statement should read: The human race is becoming less "human".
cordery
Alan Cordery -9
Not that old argument, airplane violence, like cowards with guns is all American.
jwills8606
James Wills 6
"American" is not a race. That is a whole 'nother discussion.

[This comment has been downvoted. Show anyway.]

AWAAlum
AWAAlum 12
Out of curiosity, I've just now gone and read your posts...and I am shocked and disappointed that your membership on Flight Aware hasn't been terminated. You are a sick sick person.

[This comment has been downvoted. Show anyway.]

Greenjeans
David Fenner 4
I think that already happened. by a pilot in Germany.
ADAvViation
Wow....looking at the world with blinders on
waypoint66
David Rice -3
Yes, that is why the “fluffy doe” (FFDO) program was created. Pilots who need guns in the cockpit are simply pussies.
waypoint66
David Rice -5
Race? Americans are a separate race now? Sounds like perhaps you’re German, and from an 80 year old mindset. You tried to convince us Jewish people were a separate race back then, too. Proceed with your racism, Hans.
upchucked
NAH, lock them all up before they get on the plane and turn them loose upon arrival. Treat 'em like the animals they are!
royhunte92
Roy Hunte 6
They should redesign aircraft with a couple of padded cells on board to store unruly passengers.
JOHNKABLE
JOHNKABLE 6
Just add an ejection pod to commercial aircraft - no parachute.....
TheDogeof88
Chuck Lavazzi 2
"Montgomery asked Kelly to lobby federal officials for more federal air marshals on flights and to ban passengers who violate rules instead of putting them on another flight." Yes to both.
21voyageur
21voyageur 5
Think this is more of a societal issue. Officials on planes with guns is just not right in the broader scheme of things.
punkrawk78
Silent Bob 3
Obviously the procedures used by FAMs are a closely guarded secret, but I think it's pretty common knowledge that they will not reveal themselves unless there is a direct threat to the aircraft or the flight deck. They are not simply airborne police officers, they are there solely to defend against a terrorist threat.
waypoint66
David Rice -2
But, of course, now that we have Fluffy Does (FFDOs), we no longer need the Air Marshals, right? No? We need two people on board with guns? Sounds rational. /s
punkrawk78
Silent Bob 5
Don't quite understand your insulting attitude towards the FFDO program and Air Marshals. Unfortunately the desire to use aviation in general and particularly commercial aircraft as terrorist weapons didn't die with Bin Laden. The "Fluffy Does" as you sarcastically call them are dedicated professionals who go to training on their own time in order to provide a last line of defense to the flight deck, as well as serve as a deterrent to anyone thinking of taking over an airliner. I guess I'm just not sure why this is deserving of ridicule.
paultrubits
paul trubits 2
Take all 169 members who commented on this post and put them on a flight together. What is the over/under that they get off the ground before a fight breaks out?
M20ExecDriver
M20ExecDriver 2
The answer is simple. Instead of the same old pre takeoff safety routine, state loud and clear if anyone does not follow instructions from the flight crew, they will be banned from ever flying again on any airline WORLDWIDE and fined $25,000 and sentenced to six months in jail.
marknine
Un Official airline of the Jerry Springer show.....
Guycocoa
Guy Cocoa 2
“The Federal Aviation Administration said Monday that airlines have reported 2,500 incidents of unruly passengers this year, including 1,900 cases in which passengers refused to wear face masks, which are required by federal rule.”

76% of incidents were related to face masks. Perhaps once people are required to behave in a certain manner that they don’t believe in, or think may harm them, they don’t feel the need to obey other rules.
wjm100
wjm100 3
Are you saying that people who think they are being harmed by a face mask are playing with a full deck? And are you excusing the bad behavior of people who don't "believe" in wearing face masks? If I don't believe in not smoking on a plane am I entitled to light up and blow smoke in your face? One problem is that enforcement is too dependent on the FAA, which grinds through an interminable bureaucratic process. More of these people should be greeting by the police, cuffed, and hauled off to the slammer.
jimsarushfan
Huck Finn 2
It is a sad trend to see all of these violent acts accelerating over the past year and yet the answer to the problem is this, people are sick and tired of mandatory masks from the moment they set foot on airport property until they leave. It is enough that we give up our rights the moment we enter the airport and must go through ever lengthening lines of security to be subjected to warrantless searches on our bodies as well as our property and then herded into the waiting areas like sheep to be cajoled by masked employees treating the customers like so many sheep.

It is time to treat people with respect, treat them like the customers who fund their salaries and pay for the fuel, airport, and even the security protocols. It is imperative that the TSA end these requirements as per the mask for good and all. Masks were never intended to be worn for a lengthy period of time yet these archaic rules prevail in the flying industry. Oh yes, until the mask requirement is ended it is important for passengers/customers to show respect to the airport employees as well who have the duty to enforce these onerous regulations and it behooves the customer to bear in mind that the airport and airline employees are doing what they are required to do, ie, make certain everyone has a mask and is wearing the mask 'properly' though these employees should never have this requirement as part of their job description to enforce these archaic regulations

That is my suggestion as to how to end the problem of people becoming unhinged on aircraft.
crashvic37
Mr.Finn. Valid points. Fortunately..I have pre-pass. I think that all of this is a sham. But they have discovered that people can be controlled, easily. I respect the employees of security, airports, and airlines. Sheep? Exactly.
AWAAlum
AWAAlum 1
"Warrantless searches"?
dcopley
Don Copley 2
I guess my question is why the passenger wasn't escorted off the airplane then and there? If I was on the ground and I heard about it...I would have taken care of it then and there instead of flying on.
twschmidt4
twschmidt4 3
Here we go again, people today: "I want my freedom. I don't want to be told what to do." Also, if you don't want to wear a mask, then don't fly. It's that easy. I hope the FA sues to customer.
d0ugparker
Doug Parker 3
Please don't feed the trolls.
rkbarms
No wonder fractional jet ownership is so popular today. No one wants to ride in the trash wagon.
dephtones
John Smith 3
Without reading the article, try and guess what political party the person supports.
twschmidt4
twschmidt4 2
Obviously the party that keeps saying, “I want my freedom”.
lrxify
Louie R 5
No in-flight alcohol, instead airlines should just offer weed edibles, brownies, cookies. Or how about a complimentary bag of weed gummies instead of peanuts. Passengers would be nice and mellow throughout the flight, maybe a few giggles here and there and then they'd fall asleep. What a peaceful flight..
AWAAlum
AWAAlum 2
So, you're suggesting the airlines drug its paxi n order to have a peaceful, giggly trip. OMG, you're just so right.. Just imagine what fun it would be to watch and see how a bunch of stoners react in the event of an emergency. Bitchin' DUDE!
waypoint66
David Rice 0
Except for the guy next to you with the “gummy bear allergy”. If he’s even sitting next to someone eating gummy bears, his throat will swell up and cause him to suffocate. So, for that reason, you cannot eat gummy bears on a plane (even if you bring them on board yourself). Thanks for your guidance, United Airlines. /s
tnbriggs
Terry Briggs 6
Raise all the air fares to the current equivalent of what they were in the 60s and 70s (before deregulation) and you'll eliminate most of this type of behavior. Of course the volume of those flying will decrease and the airlines won't make as much money, but you'll elevate the behavior of the flying public.

And ban flip-flops as well.
laundryczar
laundryczar 18
I'd hate to see fares go up but you have a strong point here. I was brought up to wear a jacket and tie when flying. Oh...and yes...ban flip-flops. I'll vote for that a hundred times over.
waypoint66
David Rice -4
You still wear ties? We’re all just waiting for you to die (won’t be long, I’m sure). What do you have against being comfortable? Uptight people like you are who should be banned from flying. Your “I’m better than everyone else attitude” is why your wife left you and your daughter “dates around”.
mohenley
Mark Henley -2
Right on.

[This comment has been downvoted. Show anyway.]

RexBentley
Rex Bentley 13
Not the best footwear in the event of a crash.
GeoffWhere
Geoff Whiteley -1
Do you refuse to wear a mask?
GeoffWhere
Sad that Americans have stooped so low
Sym2018
Doug Scott 1
Not to mention- the Brits
waypoint66
David Rice -2
And the Italians! My God, have tried to have a rational conversation with one of those monkeys? How about those Filipinos? Of maybe the Japanese? Should we pick on the Russians? After all, aren’t they carrying sausages in their luggage? Come on, let go of your BS national pride, will ya?
iffmode4
Chris Croft 2
Why people continue to bring their unsubstantiated political bias onto an aviation website is is a mystery to me. Chuck Lavazzi seems to think "right wing media; ergo Trump" is culpable for the idiotic behavior of an airline passenger. Personally, the worst seat assignment on an airplane I could imagine, would be sitting next to someone that thinks Frank Zappa was prophetic about anything
TimDyck
Tim Dyck 7
It goes both ways. The far right is just as whackadoodle as the far left. Most of us are near the middle and need to stop letting either side tell us what to do or how to think.
waypoint66
David Rice -3
It is a mystery to you why people on an aviation website espouse conservative viewpoints? Yea, because aviation isn’t the exclusive realm of the affluent, and no one could predict the political views of the affluent, right? You’re either incredibly stupid/vapid/ignorant, or you are simply disingenuous. Just so you don’t have to look that word up, I just called you a liar.
steerts
So many passengers seem to think that they are flying on "WILDWEST". They seem to have more passenger problems than the other airlines. I remember when Southwest had two 727s and only flew the Dallas-Houston route. I think they are the best. I was a friend of their chief of training, Raul Cabeza who captained a flight from Havana to Miami and made Fidel Castro very unhappy. Raul had all of his family aboard his last flight for Cubana Airlines.
haunter4032002
C B 1
Take away the assailant's drivers license AND any form of gov't assistance they may be receiving i.e. Medicare, Medicaid, S.S.I, Veteran benefits, etc. for up to one year or permanently. Also, ban from ALL airline carriers.
If they lose their house or apartment, who cares! They can take their combative arse and join the homeless ranks.
CDBrozovich
CDBrozovich 1
I enjoyed the music 'Don't Cry For Me' by Donn Wilkerson & Lance Sumner
https://youtu.be/Kl-jX4K4pFE
patpylot
patrick baker 1
this act is outrageous, and all the commenters who come up with their personal ideas about proper punishment could remember there exist statutes, rules, regulations on the books that if fully followed result in unpleasant and costly results for this offender. The FAA rule about interfering with a crew member and that penalty for example. Just don't water down the penalty, and that ought to be a signpost to future duplicators of this kind of action is costly and to be avoided.
GailWalters
Gail Walters 1
Very Sad that people have no respect
kerimparrot
Mike Williams 1
I saw a more complete report on the TV "news" show Inside Edition With videos of the assault by a passenger and the guy who grabbed the wacked out assaulted. And had the video of the "coffee, tea, or me" attendant on the cart she was on the way to the hospital.
crashvic37
Ladies and gentlemen...please secure your seat belts and loose items around your seating area. We have a passenger who will be leaving our flight at flight level 280. It may be a bit windy in the cabin for a few minutes.
In the meantime... we'll be showing a movie: Gone With The Wind.
rkbarms
Riding ANY commercial flight is taking a big risk, both getting to the airport and taking the actual flight. Plus one is cramped up with smelly, sweaty, mouth breathing gold tooth types with any manner of previously unknown criminal backgrounds. Drive or ride first class if able. As for the wannabe pugilist, her teeth need to be extracted without the benefit of anesthesia.
waypoint66
David Rice -2
“Smelly, sweaty, gold tooth types”. It is pretty clear what you spend your free time fantasizing about. Perhaps you should spend less time on BBC websites.
waypoint66
David Rice -3
Oh, and BBC does not stand for British Broadcasting System in this context. Try looking up BBC meaning on Urban Dictionary, that’s the BBC I am referring to.
Sym2018
Doug Scott 1
We simply WONT FLY in such an environment. That pax was way outta line, but sometimes the FAs are too.
EMK69
EMK69 1
Video on the incident

https://fox5sandiego.com/news/local-news/video-shows-passenger-punching-flight-attendant-suspect-arrested/
PKVol
Sad that the person who recorded the video is quoted in the accompanying narrative as defending the actions of the assaulter.
tothedude
The Dude 1
First of all, it's interesting that this report generated more comments than the Belarus incident.

Second, the report does not reveal what exactly happened and none of the commentators were onboard.

So hold your horses before calling for an execution--"this attacker deserves being caged for a good long time"

No, she does not.
dkendall
Dave Kendall 1
I used to fly weekly before I retired. Now as I see what is happening on way too many flights I hate to even fly on vacation. I think alcohol should be banned on all flights and any passenger approaching the gate showing any signs of impairment should be subjected to a breathalyzer test before being allowed to board the aircraft.
DaveRK
DaveRK 2
I don't dispute that in some cases alcohol is a contributing factor.
As has been pointed-out, the flying public isn't what it used to be, but there are two-sides to every story.

Before retiring, I was a very frequent flyer.
However IMO it isn't so cut & dried.
Please no flames...
I also have seen occasions where flight attendants took the "Refusal to follow a crew members instructions..." as the OK to be disrespectful as well as verbally abusive towards passengers.
I was the 3rd passenger to board, I had an attendant stop me from opening the overhead bin, claiming there was aircraft safety equipment stored there.
I commented "This aircraft does not have any equipment there".
She started talking down at me and threatening me. I just sat down.

(I assume without thinking about it), she opened the overhead, took out her purse and went to the back of the aircraft. I jumped up, put my laptop in the overhead next to 2 carry-ons that had "Crew" tags.
I had my phone in camera mode when she came back and opened the overhead. She saw my laptop case, looked at me, saw the phone and just walked away. And was not near the door as passengers exited.
I wrote a formal complaint to the airline with flt#, date, name, FF#, row & seat etc.
I got a pretty much boilerplate response, but it did have an almost apology, explaining "that A/C had a different configuration".
Being in the cabin is no longer great for the passengers OR flt attendants, but to assume every passenger is clueless, isn't fair either.
waypoint66
David Rice -3
Yes, many of us have had the exact same experience regarding foolish flying waitresses hogging the overhead space. Flying waitresses are not needed for safety. If they were needed, they wouldn’t need to ask for my help lifting the emergency exit door. Replace them with a single unarmed security guard. Muscles and handcuffs is all that is necessary for that job, sorry ladies, you can’t have this job. Period.
Pendyploo
George Jardim 1
I’d hold the political comments. Just not useful here, but jail time, heavy fines and restitution sound like a great solution.
d0ugparker
Doug Parker 0
Can anyone touch on confirming how her actions violated the Contract of Carriage terms? Being an airline's passenger is not just a simple "pay and fly" behavior: carriage is a totally different realm, governed by a complex contract, agreements, and rules between passenger and carrier.
mtpiper
mtpiper 2
Southwest's Contract of Carriage, 6b (page 18 in the PDF on their website).
waypoint66
David Rice -1
Whew! Glad it wasn’t just “in the fine print”. /s
gairforce
Gary Ondrey -5
Any coincidence that all this misbehavior dramatically increased with the dumb mask mandate ? People are fed up with rude FAs, uncomfortable seats, no service, and now aggressive mask enforcement. I think it's making people snap. Nothing pleasant about airline travel any more. It's very sad that it's come to this
dkendall
Dave Kendall 13
I don't necessarily disagree with your assertion however the rules required to board a commercial aircraft are well known. Despite whether you agree with the mask mandate or not I can find no justification in defending an assault on a crew member following the rules they are mandated to enforce.
gairforce
Gary Ondrey -3
I'm not defending the assault at all. Just saying that this is understandable, and unfortunately happening a lot since the mask mandate. Even the FAA has admitted that these incidents have increased enormously in the last 12 months. I don't think it's a coincidence. People are hearing a lot of inconsistencies about mask wearing and with no known transmission of the virus on board an aircraft, it's just another item of discomfort that airlines are forcing on their customers. When was the last time that airlines did anything to make your flight MORE comfortable. Some people handle this treatment better than others
TimDyck
Tim Dyck 4
No known transmission aboard aircraft? Were did you get that myth? I caught it on an aircraft and I wore a fitted medical grade N95 the whole time. Those of us who have had to fly regularly throughout the pandemic have known many who tested positive and the exposure was traced back to the plane.
waypoint66
David Rice -1
“I'm not defending the assault at all. Just saying that this is understandable...”. So, YOU ARE DEFENDING IT, moron.
TheDogeof88
Chuck Lavazzi 0
It's not a coincidence that this sort of thing has increased since right wing media have started using phrases like "dumb mask mandate" and encouraging people who are told to wear them on airlines or in stores as victims of oppression as bad as the Holocaust who are entirely justified in aggression and violence.

When you legitimize, encourage, and even glorify aggression and violence, you get more aggression and violence. Duh.
TimDyck
Tim Dyck 4
Leave the politics out of it. Many on the right were calling for masks befor they were mandated. Your spreading of misinformation only creates more animosity between people.
waypoint66
David Rice -2
There was no politics in the posters statement. The poster did not reveal their media nor political preferences. You’re trying to read between the lines.
strickerje
strickerje 1
"Right wing media" wasn't political commentary? OK then...
jimsarushfan
Huck Finn -4
I don't in any way condone the physically violent acts of this passenger but it appears that she had reached the breaking point of abuse by airline employees and the whole process. I say 'appears' because I have no way of seeing the other side of the issue. No matter what was done to her she should never have struck the flight attendant. I think the passenger's actions should be treated as a felonious assault because she inflicted bodily injury upon the flight attendant however federal laws and penalties might be a bit too draconian as far as a penalty for her behavior.

Let's take a look at the root causes of this increase in aggressive behavior on the part of passengers. Requiring masks on airlines have depersonalized the employees as well as the passengers. With a mask on his/her face the flight attendant and the passengers have no way to pick up on visual cues from each other and there appears to be an escalation of violence as the result. I have seen many videos where passengers have been kicked off planes by what appears to be overbearing flight attendants because of a refusal to wear a mask or even the improper wearing of the mask.

The refusal to allow people to fly without a mask especially since it is more and more common knowledge that masks do nothing to stop the spread of any virus whatsoever. People in America are fed up with the mask requirement and are finally seeing a loosening of restrictions all over the country yet the airlines continue to require this device that makes breathing especially difficult.

Being confronted over wearing a silly face diaper is undignified. Passengers are not children and the sooner the airlines stop treating them like adolescents the better. A passenger comes onto airport property and must spend the day being told what to do and having every one of their actions scrutinized by airport employees and security. Passengers are sick and tired of the steady encroachment of their freedom and liberty and are unfortunately some are resisting with violence.

I applaud the passenger who intervened when he observed that the flight attendant was attacked and assaulted by the over wrought passenger. This man was a hero and should be commended for the actions he took to de-escalate the situation.

Watching the antics of passengers and employees of airlines I have resolved to never fly again unless absolutely necessary. Passengers are treated like animals from the moment they enter airport property, board the aero plane and exit at their final destination. Some of these trips require the expenditure of a very long time from beginning to end and is quite daunting.

I will henceforth drive to and from my destination and enjoy the trip however I foresee the government entering the realm of ground travel with the advance of the 'climate change' agenda on the horizon.
fireftr
Dale Ballok 5
Where do you get your rationale for this type of behavior???
There is just no excuse for it, regardless of your reason!
If she doesn’t like the airline’s rules, she shouldn’t fly...period!
Too many customers think there is no law enforcement while in the air, and they’re free to do and act as they please!
Unfortunately, they have to find out the hard way how untrue that thinking is!
The sad part is that a crew member ends up getting the worse of it and suffers mental and physical scars.
jimsarushfan
Huck Finn 2
Did you read the full comment? Probably not.
waypoint66
David Rice 2
I tried to read your post, but when I ran into grammatically incorrect and incomplete sentences like “The refusal to allow people to fly without a mask especially since it is more and more common knowledge that masks do nothing to stop the spread of any virus whatsoever”, which made me very quickly decide your intellect wasn’t worth engaging. Good day, boomer. Please go off in the corner and die along with your political party (that admits it has no ideas whatsoever).
patpylot
patrick baker 1
several paragraphs of literary toilet paper
GeoffWhere
Your diatribe omits the mention of 500,00+ deaths.
Isn't that sufficient justification for some relatively minor inconvenience to help reduce the spread?
And no, an aggressive physical protest can not be entertained under any circumstances.
jimsarushfan
Huck Finn -5
The mask and other protocols had no impact on the spread nor stopping the spread of the flu. The reaction by the media was an attempt at destroying the presidency of a great man, Donald J Trump and the installation of a totally incompetent idiot into the White House.
waypoint66
David Rice -3
“The mask and other protocols had no impact on the spread nor stopping the spread of the flu.”. And you know this how? If your going to open your fat ass big mouth, cite a source. Oh you can’t? That must mean you’re a Republican (turd). This is why the Republican Party is at an end. Only stupid people like you, Matt G from FL, and Majorie Taylor-Shitbag are left.
AWAAlum
AWAAlum 1
"Being confronted over wearing a silly face diaper is undignified." Far far better for the loved ones left behind to be able to say "he died not wearing a mask - bravo - thank goodness he is dignified." You really REALLY let your ego get in your way.
waypoint66
David Rice -3
Thank a God you’re now just a driver. Can anyone imagine having to converse with someone like this? Talk about living in fear, is there anything about authority that you’re NOT afraid of? I’ll bet you carry a gun around with you in your precious car, right?
n555cf
rbt schaffer 0
Eye for an Eye.....Knock her teeth out.... AND pay restitution AND jail
IAOA
IAOA -1
Media: SILENT
DonMc123
DON MCLAIN 7
I don't understand. It's been all over the media.
waypoint66
David Rice -3
Please don’t forget that Republicans shield themselves from the media and the truth. Sure, intelligent people need to filter what comes in from multiple media outlets in order to arrive at the truth. Republicans are incapable of this, because they only watch one source of news, and most of it is faux.

[This comment has been downvoted. Show anyway.]

jbbooks1
Lewis Tripp -2
Also, you should state that you are an ignorant dipschit.
21voyageur
21voyageur 0
Maybe not an ignorant dipschit but a dipschit none the less.
briansfreeman
Brian Freeman 0
Flight attendants (and pilots) should be mandated to wear body cameras just like police officers...
waypoint66
David Rice -5
And carry guns (of course). The only way to stop a bad guy with a dildo is to have a good guy with a dildo. Therefore the Fluffy Doe (FFDO) program has been created. Thanks, Air Marshals service! /s
jimsarushfan
Huck Finn -6
I haven’t flown in one of those metal pressure tubes sine 2015 nor plan to any more. I used to enjoy flying and flew a lot but now I love driving and seeing my country from behind a steering wheel. It’s interesting how the mask, or burqa, has dehumanized travelers and airline employees.
RexBentley
Rex Bentley 3
No it's not the material things that cause it. Better to control yourself than to control a kingdom. The way one "thinks" is the way one acts.
jesussmitharoo
Scab of a nation, driven insane
TheDogeof88
Chuck Lavazzi 2
Frank Zappa is starting to look prophetic, isn't he?
marknine
Indeed
danoriginie
Dan Sherrerd -9
I haven't seen where anyone knows who started the altercation. Either the customer was born under a Walmart as some here like to colour her, or the flight attendant was showing her authority and laid hands on her. Was it self defense, or criminal assault?
jkiddier
Janet Kiddier 7
Plenty of footage on KRCA (?) ... no excuse for what the passenger did but, having watched a few things and hearing some witness accounts, I now feel there was perhaps an opportunity to de-escalate the situation well before it got to where it did, whereas initially I was not ready to make any allowances.
TimDyck
Tim Dyck 16
I agree that we don’t have the whole story but flight attendants should never be assaulted. I doubt anyone can find an argument justifying this action and I have had some shitty flight attendants ranging from simply incompetent to downright rude and authoritative. No matter how bad they still do not deserve to be assaulted.
tothedude
The Dude 2
Neither do passengers deserve to be abused by airlines and by such fllght attendants. I wasn't there so I can't tell, but I understand that sometimes somebody may react. It's part of human nature. If it is ascertained that the passenger was at fault, there should be a COMMENSURATE punishment (certainly not "many years in jail"). I do not want to see the incarceration rate increase even more in the U.S. It's already too high.
waypoint66
David Rice -6
The passenger was definitely at fault due to resorting to violence. Did someone else resort to violence first? Are you saying the this woman resorting to violence could possibly be justified? True most flying waitresses are power trip cu#ts who should be unemployed and eating dog food, but you shouldn’t hit your dog either.
crashvic37
Victor Uhlmann -6
The passenger needs to have 2 of her teeth knocked out.
Can I get an Amen?
waypoint66
David Rice -1
No, but you can certainly have an f-you for your obviously religious “eye for an eye” viewpoint.

[This comment has been downvoted. Show anyway.]

cordery
Alan Cordery 5
That is fifty percent of people, banning morons would be worse, that is 90 percent.
rkbarms
Steve LoGrasso -7
:-) God how true! Nothing like feeling their abundantly large sweaty thighs squirting out beneath arm rests.

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