Posted on 12/10/2005 5:03:13 PM PST by WatchingInAmazement
A suspect is in federal custody after passengers say he threatened an infant and tried to charge the cockpit of an airplane en route to Honolulu. No air marshal was aboard, but seven passengers tackled and subdued him.
Passengers say the man's strange behavior started just a couple hours after Northwest Flight 91 took off from Los Angeles.
"He came up to first class several times, and at one point he really startled me... He came up to my left shoulder, and he got right in my face and he said something in Spanish -- he said something about medicine, like 'I need medicine,'" said passenger Linda Deckard from California.
She says the man even gestured threats toward a baby with a cell phone cord, and couldn't sit still. But thanks to one father's planning, a group of passengers are heroes to nearly 200 people on the flight.
"We got the word around first class that if he makes a move for the cockpit door, he's going down," said passenger Mike Deckard. "And that's just what happened. He made a move for the cockpit door and we were on top of him."
He and six others bound the suspect's hands and feet with a belt and cords from an on-board restraint pack.
"I think he's a hero," says Michael Deckard, age 13, about his dad. "I think he did a good job. Obviously he's watching a little bit of football with that tackle. Go dad!"
"If anybody's wants to try something, remember - there are 200 other people on the aircraft who are gonna stop you," Mike Deckard said.
The suspect is a 37-year-old Mexican national. He bit one man who helped tackle him -- a Honolulu Marathon runner who had to get a tetanus shot when they landed.
Passengers were questioned for a couple of hours after landing. The suspect is being held at the federal detention center.
"Yes, and why we need armed aircrews."
In addition, the door to the cockpit should remain closed and locked throughout the flight. Those doors are very thick, and for all practical purposes, impossible for person to get through. The pilots could wear something that would eliminate their need to go to the bathroom---such as a military pilot.
(This idea comes from the guy who wrote the book, The Gift of Fear, can't remember his name.)
Damn right!
Because any sonuvabitch that tries anything, it going to get a dose of hate and pent up anger that will get his attention....
Semper Fi
"why not just say . .Mexican 'Citizen'."
"Mexican national" is the more common phrase to use in an international context.
The time when you could do this on any American plane ended on Sept 12th 2001.
"Damn right!"
I'm with you. Just teasing.
They sat on top of him to restrain him, and the passenger complained of not being able to breathe, and he died sometime in flight -- he was DOA upon arrival in NY.
There was supposedly an investigation, but no news has emerged.
At least these guys didn't kill the passenger, and I think here they acted properly. In the other case I've mentioned, I'm not convinced that they didn't use excessive force.
The aircrews are now locked behind a door. This is why we need polite and active citizenry. In this instance human life was not snuffed out, with an excuse of the "B-word". Belt, shoelace, and Bic pen were utilized. Big Brother does not know best. A threat perceived became a threat acted upon.
Forget the perp- ask yourselves: WHY did the baby have a cell phone cord?
I think it's more likely these patriots will be labled 'Vigilantes' by G. Bush...Taking the law into their own hands...Violating this whacko's civil rights...
They probably find out later that he was pointed at an infant asking "for Pete sake someone medicate that baby, it's screaming it's head off".
Looks like the spirit of 9/11 is not entirely dead.
Lol! A proud son, definitely. And I'm sure a honored dad to hear his son speak these kind words. (I think there may be an extra present under the Christmas tree this year for this little boy who loves his dad.)
Is there any father here on FR who wouldn't feel 10-foot tall to hear something like this from their own kid? I know I would from my 13yr old son.
Overheard at a security checkpoint. " Lets see those shoes----Have you taken your meds before boarding?"
I bet at least one of these guys belonged to the Minutemen.
Makes me think how Osama and his ilk saw how our "sheeple" mentality, fostered by the government made us vunerable.
Good to see people taking responsibility for their own defense.
Yes I recognize all that. It was just a joke. Maybe an off-color one. Maybe a sick one. But I stand behind it nontheless.
I think he meant legal or illegal resident of the US. I am sure he is a legal Mexican!
Maybe just a trap door in front of the cabin door that drops into a pressurized enclosure awaiting simple dumping procedures.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.