Crew Rage?

Aero-News ^ | 011904 | N/A

[Archangelsk]

Top News

Crew Rage? Mon, 19 Jan '04

US Airways Passenger Says He Was Poked We've all heard of air rage. In these days of heightened security, long lines and short tempers, it's no longer uncommon to read about passengers who fly off the handle.

But crew members?

John McLeod was flying from Charlotte (NC) to Tampa Bay (FL) last month when the flight attendant announced it was time to "stow your tray-tables and raise your seats to their upright and locked positions." When he didn't immediately comply, he got a few sharp pokes in the shoulder from a flight attendant.

McLeod says he complained about being poked and was immediately labeled a disruptive passenger and reported to authorities on the ground. He was escorted from the flight by police.

"I've flown for 25 years and this guy was the worst," said McLeod, who takes about 15 domestic and international flights every year in the course of doing business. He owns a wholesale auto parts company, MB Marketing & Manufacturing. "I think the guy has got some issues."

Police questioned McLeod, along with several other passengers who corroborated his story. In the end, officers found the "disruptive passenger" label was unwarranted and released him.

The 60-year old McLeod, who leads bible study classes at his church, says he wasn't even supposed to be on that flight. The one he booked, on Delta, had been cancelled.

McLeod tells the St. Petersburg Times that he was asleep when he woke to the announcement that the cabin was being prepared for landing. He raised his first-class seat, but only about three-quarters of the way, then took off his glasses and rubbed his eyes. That's when he felt a sharp poke in his shoulder. The flight attendant demanded that he raise his seat completely.

"I was astounded," McLeod said. "I told him, "Okay, but don't touch me.' I was offended."

That should have been the end of it, but wasn't. The FA, who was walking away, wheeled around on McLeod and asked if the passenger had a problem with him.

"He walked back over to me - very close - and said something to the effect of, "This is my plane. You have to do what I tell you when I tell you to do it,"' McLeod said. "And he poked me again."

To be fair, says the Association of Flight Attendants, FAs are under a bit of strain these days. "They have full planes and bare-bones crews to handle all this, on top of pay cuts and everything," says Dawn Meeks, who speaks for the Association of Flight Attendants. "They're in a tense situation and can make a mistake."

But this might have been a little much. What happens to the flight attendant?

"We do not discuss personnel actions or issues involving our customers," said spokesman David Castelveter. "Though we will not discuss the circumstances of this matter ... in no case should a customer interfere with flight attendants in the discharge of their duties."

Welcome to the new age of commercial aviation. Please, fasten your seatbelt. And your chair IS, of course, in its full upright position, isn't it?

[Archangelsk]

I know FAs have a tough job and are poorly compensated, but this is inexcusable.

[Archangelsk]

Ping to the crew on the flight deck please.

[Archangelsk]

Ping.

[Sir Gawain]

I would've broken his finger.

[agitator]

It would suit me just fine if their industry folded and the planes sat out in a field surrounded by weeds. Riding a Greyhound Bus looks more attractive than flying these days until the TSA decides that they need to hassle bus travelers - which by the way, they have the authority to do.

[Straight Vermonter]

He probably just broke up with his boyfriend.

[brewcrew]

We get one side of the story here, people. Since the airline will not discuss their side, that's all we're going to get.

Make your judgements accordingly.

[Howie66]

I'm not so sure that I agree with you on this, Archangelsk.

There seems to always be some idiot that has to prove that they are "something special" by not following directions. You know the type....they get into an express checkout line with about 30 items more than allowed.....or they just have to get into the right turn only lane to cut ahead of slower traffic....or they will use the "commercial" lane at the drive through banking window rather than wait in the normal lane, or just taps their brakes when coming to a stop sign. These jerks are all around us every day, and we've seen them numerous times while on a plane.

My guess that this individual is one of "them".

[in the Arena]

"This is my plane. You have to do what I tell you when I tell you to do it,"' McLeod said. "And he poked me again."

This is battery...and should be unacceptable by the airline...

[HighWheeler]

Already posted here:

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1059804/posts

If you would have done a search on "Crew rage" you would have seen it.

[The_Victor]

I know FAs have a tough job and are poorly compensated, but this is inexcusable.

FA are service personnel, and are there to provide for the comfort and safety of the passengers. The airlines need to recognize that the stewards and stewardesses are ill trained for a security role. Either train them to deal with the power associated with being a security officer, or create a new flight crew security officer position.

[Sir Gawain]

Exactly how does not moving your seat 3/4" put you into the jerk category? Like that 3/4" makes a difference in case of a plane crash. Give me a break. It's all about a power trip for the crew.

[Lancey Howard]

Getting on a plane is like playing Russian Roulette. You may as well line up a thousand .357 S&W revolvers, have somebody put a bullet in one of them while you're not looking, then randomly pick one of the revolvers up, put it to your head, and pull the trigger.

Make it 50,000 revolvers if you want - - I still don't like the feeling.
I don't get on planes.
Cranky, incompetent flight attendants is the least of it.

[Archangelsk]

Maybe, but the passenger reported that he was poked from the outset of the incident. One of the many things I've learned is that you never poke or touch someone in an aggressive manner.

However, you're right, we only have one side of the story.

[manic4organic]

Sounds like he needs a good poking.

[Bikers4Bush]

His story was verified by other passengers who witnessed the incident.

If anyone is on of "them" it's the flight attendant.

[toast]

He raised his first-class seat, but only about three-quarters of the way, then took off his glasses and rubbed his eyes.

My wife is a Flight Attendant.
This morning I got kicked when I was slow waking up.

[Eva]

I don't doubt this man's story, one bit. I have had rude flight attendendants many times, mostly on Northwest Airlines. I have had one turn toward me to open the soda can for the man across the aisle and spray me in the face with the soda, and never apologize. I had one tell me to raise my center seat to upright position, so the kid in back of me could have more room, despite the fact that my seat was lowered to allow me shoulder room, since the two men on either side filled more than their seats (and the stewardess was very rude about it).

[brewcrew]

Perhaps. If you're comfortable making up your mind having heard only one side of the story, that's your business.

[eno_]

I would've broken his finger.

If you do it right, this can be extremely painful.