Southwest prevents passenger from responding to deadly situation

[SirDuff]

You're right. I misread also. I apologize.

I do wish we knew the FA's version of what happened.

It would be good to know that. Hard to really have an opinion without it. I feel for the woman in the article, but I'm not totally convinced that the FA(s) should be crucified. Nor, frankly, am I at all convinced that the outcome (husband's suicide) would have been changed had the woman been able to make the call.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

This is a very sad situation and it's hard to comment because, of course, we don't know the full story. If it happened as has been reported, the FAs should have notified the pilot. However, it's very likely the husband was already dead and even if he had been stopped this time, he probably would have tried again. A terrible situation for the wife, but she really can't blame the airline.

 

[KrazeeK120]

I heard that the woman and her "husband" were going through a divorce that was almost final and that they didn't live together anymore. If that's actually the case, in theory, he could have been trying to get one last jab at her, and there's likely nothing she could have done about it anyway.

I don't know if that's true, but with most stories such as this one, there are probably details that went unreported. That's why I never jump to conclusions assuming who was in the wrong based on how one news article was written.

 

[bumbershoot]

Many passengers ignore cell phone rules. Wife could have discretely called 911.

I agree. Or non discretely.

Who would simply sit there on the aircraft after receiving a call like that?

Exactly. I would be freaking out. I would be on the phone to 911. She knew what might be happening with her husband and was able to follow FA instructions?

If the airplane was still on the ground, all the woman needed to do was cause a scene. The plane would have returned to the gate.

Yep.

 

[maxiesmom]

again. read the article.
the woman said she was shaking.
i did not assume.

If they had to notify the pilots every time someone on the plane was shaking, they would have to do so every flight, I'd wager. The woman may have been upset, but she was in no immediate danger.

 

[Tonka's Skipper]

This is one of those posts/stories that when looked at closely seems to be missing something and is not quite right.

AKK

 

[kaytieeldr]

You mean, missing one entire version of the events? Yeah.

 

[kamik86]

If I had any reason to think my husband was going to die while I was on the plane... weather I could prevent it or not. I would have called him, just to talk to him. I also would have taken off my seatbelt and stood up.

Not even really "Caused a scene" Just stood there. That is all it would take to get the plane returned to the gate so someone could remove me because the plane can't take off with me standing. Yes the police may be able to stop me from talking on the phone once they get there but it is still going to get me off the plane. If I was afraid he would kill himself I would tell the police straight out I will take whatever punishment you want to give me but please contact police nearby (address) so that he could be stopped.


If all she was doing was shaking that wouldn't necessarily mean much. How many people on here have seen someone visibly upset and shaking during takeoff? I definitely have... they were just scared of takeoff.

 

[JanaDee]

If I had any reason to think my husband was going to die while I was on the plane... weather I could prevent it or not. I would have called him, just to talk to him. I also would have taken off my seatbelt and stood up.

Not even really "Caused a scene" Just stood there. That is all it would take to get the plane returned to the gate so someone could remove me because the plane can't take off with me standing. Yes the police may be able to stop me from talking on the phone once they get there but it is still going to get me off the plane. If I was afraid he would kill himself I would tell the police straight out I will take whatever punishment you want to give me but please contact police nearby (address) so that he could be stopped.


If all she was doing was shaking that wouldn't necessarily mean much. How many people on here have seen someone visibly upset and shaking during takeoff? I definitely have... they were just scared of takeoff.

She was on her way home. What good would getting off the plane do? Odds are he was dead seconds after that text was sent. There was no emergency to the aircraft or the passengers.

 

[kamik86]

She was on her way home. What good would getting off the plane do? Odds are he was dead seconds after that text was sent. There was no emergency to the aircraft or the passengers.

I agree that most likely it wouldn't have stopped him from dying. However emotionally I would want to call... and that would allow me to call the police to get them there sooner as well which it sounds like is what she wanted to do. My point is just that it seems strange that she stayed seated and waited until they were in the air.

I mean it doesn't take much to prevent a plane from leaving when your inside it.

 

[JanaDee]

I agree that most likely it wouldn't have stopped him from dying. However emotionally I would want to call... and that would allow me to call the police to get them there sooner as well which it sounds like is what she wanted to do. My point is just that it seems strange that she stayed seated and waited until they were in the air.

I mean it doesn't take much to prevent a plane from leaving when your inside it.

There are a lot of things that seem strange about the story. I wish some witnesses would come forward (since SW can't talk) and tell people what really happened.

 

[DebbieB]

There are a lot of things that seem strange about the story. I wish some witnesses would come forward (since SW can't talk) and tell people what really happened.

That's what I was thinking, did anyone else witness this. If I was flying solo and something like this happened, I would be telling people around me or people would be asking what is going on. My first guess is she is lining up to sue SW. Once the FA's are seated, you could easily make a call or text especially since you can have cell phones turned on now, just in airplane mode. It would be very easy to flip off airplane mode while the plane was on the ground.