Crazies!

[ducklite]

In the past 72 hours there have been three incidents on jets in the US. Monday afternoon a mentally disturbed man charged the cockpit of a AA flight enroute from LA to ORD. Details re conflicting, but what definitely DID happen was that the other pax supported the flight crew, and restrained the man until they were able to land.

Another AA flight on Monday, an intoxicated Ozzie struck a male FA, several pax restrained the man into a seat and "guarded him" until the plane could land. Today, a Delta flight made an emergency landing after a pax passed a "threatening" note to a FA.

In all cases, the pax assisted the flight crew, and used physical force to protect the aircraft as nessecary. As I said, never again will citizens of the USA let one of our carriers be overtaken.

These situations should actually calm the fears many have of flying. Three incidents, all resolved without injury, with a safe landing, and the assistance of fellow passengers. They should all be commended for their action.

Anne

 

[CaliforniaDreaming]

I'm glad that passengers are helping out, and everything has resulted in a safe manner. Bravo to the people who helped out! I just hope these incidents do not continue to occur (the threats).

 

[GEM]

This may be a stupid question - I have a feeling it is - but what is an Ozzie?

 

[inkkognito]

The scary thing is that two out of those three incidents occurred here in the Chicago area, and we had a third incident where two men tried to open an emergency exit while the plane was sitting on the tarmack, supposedly to "get air" for their father, who they said was having trouble breathing. Where are people's brains?!?!?! We are flying out of O'Hare on 11/22, and I am NOT looking forward to it. I think that obnoxious people have been a problem on planes for a while (on our last flight, in Sept., one passenger insisted on going to the restroom while the plane was enroute to the gate...she WOULD NOT wait until we were safely at the gate, despite the crew's orders), but now they are getting a lot more press.
Barb
Visit the Platinum Castaway Club at: www.disneycruiser.com

 

[flyingcircus]

I am thinking ozzie might mean aussie

The sad thing is that there are many people out there that have mental illnesses, and fly. Usually it is not too much of a problem, but now with the WTC tragedies, maybe some of them are really affected. I am not excusing this behavior, but I think more incidents like this will occur. The difference now is that the passengers will get involved, and the crews will act in a defensive manner, instead of submissive.

 

[TinkerbellRules]

We're probably going to hear a lot now then in the past about these types of problems. I'm sure they were there before, but we're going to be made more aware of them. I'm so glad we Americans aren't going to stand by and watch this happen again!

Did they ever say what the letter stated? I heard he fell asleep after giving her the letter!

I thought I heard about someone trying to open something on a flight (door). I think they stated they were Arabic or something and didn't understand you couldn't do it. Don't quote me on that. I've tried to find links to any article on these incidents, but so far haven't been sucessful.

 

[ducklite]

Originally posted by GEM
This may be a stupid question - I have a feeling it is - but what is an Ozzie?

Not stupid...it refers to Australians.

Sorry

Anne

 

[ducklite]

Another one yesterday on a flight from Tel Aviv, a man with an Arabic name (and I would assume Arabic looking) took a plastic knife from the meal, pointed at a FA, then made slashing gestures across his throat. At first he said he was scratching his neck with it, and later admitted it was a stupid joke.

He was arrested for interfering with a flight crew. Hopefully his next flight will be on Con Air.

Duh.

Anne

 

[GEM]

Oh! That's Aussie, right? At least that's the way it is spelled on my shampoo! I thought maybe you meant Ozzie Osborne . . .

 

[EpcotBill]

I'm not an expert on heavy metal or Australia, but I think the word is pronounced ozzie and spelled Aussie.

 

[ducklite]

I've seen it several ways, Aussies from Oz I guess is the best

Anne

 

[Olaf]

When planes have to make unscheduled stops and get fighter excort, it costs big bucks. They not only need to charge these nitwits with felonies, but they also need to hand them a big bill. Then they need to have a press conference and emphasis that those responsible for causing a plane to make an unscheduled stop will pick up the tab. I have a feeling the financial aspect could have a bit more impact.

 

[ducklite]

Olaf--I couldn't agree more!

Get this! The Egyptian charged with a misdemeanor after making a cutting motion across his throat in front of a FA on a flight from Israel to Newark the other day has a conviction for a hate crime, as well as has been charged with arson in the burning of a temple in the Chicago area. WHAT THE H*LL are we doing letting these people BACK INTO OUR COUNTRY!!!! And if chraged with a felony, what in God's name are we letting a person carrying a foreign passport out on bail for? Can you say flight risk??

I don't care what the nationality--if they are convisted of a crime here, deport their sorry A**ES! Permanently!!

The INS is really dropping the ball big time lately. Until they get their act together the door is wide open. I'm not getting into a close the door, stop immigration argument here. Simply saying that we shouldn't take another countries garbage--like Castro did years ago with the boatlift--sent all the criminals. Leave the criminals in whatever country they are carrying a passport for. Put them on a barred from entry list. And enforce the list!!!

Canada has that one right. Get as much as a DWI in another country, no entry into Canada without prior approval and a darn good reason.

Anne