Northwest Airlines flight diverted to Billings due to unruly passenger (kicking, biting, & slapping)

AP via Billings Gazette via Drudge ^ | Wednesday, January 6, 2004 | staff

[canuck_conservative]

A Northwest Airlines flight from Minneapolis to Boise, Idaho, made an unscheduled landing here Tuesday after an apparently intoxicated passenger became unruly and assaulted others on board, a federal aviation official said.

John Kinney, acting federal security director in Billings, said Flight 1279 landed at Billings Logan International Airport shortly after 1 p.m., and that a female passenger was removed and taken into custody. He said the flight was on the ground for nearly 1-1/2 hours before resuming.

The woman's name was not immediately released and charges were not immediately filed.

Kinney said the plane was over Montana when the passenger became "physically engaging" with others on board. He said one passenger asked her to settle down and the woman struck that person in the face.

He said the woman lashed out at about a half dozen others, including a flight crew member - kicking, biting and slapping them - before finally being subdued by passengers. Kinney said the woman also was combative with local police who took her into custody.

Billings Police Chief Ron Tussing said police assisted helped remove the passenger but that the matter would be handled by federal officials.

Dan Vierthaler, supervisor for eastern Montana with the FBI, said his agency responded, but that he could not comment at length. He said he was unsure what charges, if any, may be filed.

The U.S. attorney in Billings did not immediately return a phone call seeking comment Tuesday.

Kinney said no one on board required medical attention.

[canuck_conservative]

Claustrophobia?

[Support Free Republic]

[cyborg]

WOW

[Cogadh na Sith]

Nope, stupid b!*ch...

I'll bloody anyone who even asks for a second bag of peanuts on my next flight.

[auboy]

Mad Sow Disease?

[Archangelsk]

Hypoxia.

[tenthirteen]

Enough of this crap already. If any passenger is intoxicated, then they DO NOT board the aircraft. Let GREYHOUND handle the drunks, they can toss them out a lot easier.

[SassNClass]

Stupid bitch. Some women don't behave like ladies on flights.

[canuck_conservative]

Maybe she got drunk on the flight.

Besides, screening drunks doesn't stop others from freaking out - like that guy who rushed the Hawaii-flight cockpit the other day, convinced that the world was about to end.

[rockprof]

Anyone acts like that on a flight I'm on, they won't need to be restrained - they'll be unconscious. There's no excuse for this crap in this day and age of terrorism.

[VOA]

He said one passenger asked her to settle down and the woman struck that person in the face.

I know I'm a bit extreme on this topic...but I guess I'm still having trouble
with the delete button on my memories about 9-11.

In my book, a disruptive passenger in the confines of an airlane since 9-11...especially
one the crosses the line to physical assault on crew/passengers...
should be lucky to walk off the plane...and should need dental work and healing time
before they can verbally explain their actions to the authorities/judge.

I hate lawyers, but I wonder if the passenger that got punched can go after
NWA for either serving this "lady" drinks or letting her on the plane obviously drunk...

[numberonepal]

..before finally being subdued by passengers

Just another example of the passengers being the Air Marshall. God Bless America!

[af_vet_1981]

Claustrophobia?

Intoxication

The airlines need to restrict how much alchohol they sell (those that don't already) or risk being sued for providing an unsafe flying environment.

[af_vet_1981]

If any passenger is intoxicated, then they DO NOT board the aircraft.

Yep, that is a good rule of thumb for safety.

[Hatteras]

Rosie, Rosie, Rosie.... C'mon, be a sport. We weren't laughing AT you, we were laughing WITH you! (snicker...)

[U S Army EOD]

That goes for the pilots also, but sometimes not.

[Kozak]

Anyone acts like that on a flight I'm on, they won't need to be restrained - they'll be unconscious. There's no excuse for this crap in this day and age of terrorism.

One of the reasons every time I travel one item in my backpack carryon is duct tape. It has hundreds of uses while traveling, including making an excellent restraint and or gag.....

[xsmommy]

it is that magnetic WACKO-POLE that is Montana that causes this behavior....

[Viking2002]

Slam her @ss into the center aisle, and tell her that her next action determines whether she arrives at her destination vertically, or horizontally........

[Chu Gary]

I read this somewhere -- I did not say it -- it's a joke....


Why is it called PMS? The name Mad Cow was already taken.


Like I said, I read that somewhere -- I did not say it -- it's a joke. Nonetheless, I've changed into my asbestos clothing and grabbed a fire extinguisher.