How flaming stupid!
What's he going to do? Surreptitiously whirl it around his head like a sling or bolo then launch it at the crew?
He have to wait for the entire bloody cabin crew to stand in a line so he can take them all out with his single projectile.
Unless he has other medals too? Or coordinated with other 86 yo heroes to each bring a medal...
Now I understand. There was method in their bloody idiocy.