Unruly passenger dumped in Darwin

[Wirraway]

AAP

Unruly passenger dumped in Darwin
July 3, 2003

A SINGAPORE Airlines flight from Singapore to Brisbane made an unscheduled landing in Darwin overnight to offload an unruly Australian passenger, the airline said today.

The man had allegedly threatened a member of the crew and was taken into custody in Darwin by Australian Protective Service (APS) officers, the airline said.

The aircraft landed in Darwin at about 3.40am (CST) and departed again at 5am, finally arriving in Brisbane two-and-a-half hours late.

Singapore Airlines spokesman Stephen Forshaw said the airline would not accept unruly or threatening behaviour on aircraft.

"In this case, the captain has made an assessment that this man's behaviour warranted the aircraft making an unscheduled landing into Darwin so he could be dealt with by authorities," he said in a statement.

"There is no room for tolerance of unruly behaviour on aircraft.

"Singapore Airlines and its crew will now cooperate fully with the authorities to ensure they have sufficient information to bring the matter before the courts expeditiously."

Federal Police were investigating, the airline said.

It is understood the incident began when the man and his travelling companion became engaged in a heated argument.

The man, believed to be aged 40 and from Queensland, used obscene language, which distressed other passengers, some of whom were children.

He was initially quietened by the airline's crew but became enraged again when cabin crew refused to serve him more alcohol.

It is understood the captain stepped in and made the decision to land in Darwin when the man refused to calm down.

Mr Forshaw said the airline had not ruled out trying to recover the cost of diverting the flight.

"It can be a five-figure sum to divert aircraft (like this), so we will look at our options to recover costs from him," he said.

No charges have yet been laid but the man was expected to appear in a Darwin court later today.

The Boeing 777-200 was carrying 298 passengers and 14 crew.

Mr Forshaw said the airline deeply regretted the inconvenience to its customers.

"These decisions are not taken lightly; they are expensive, but more importantly, they represent a serious inconvenience to other customers," he said.

"But the captain's primary focus was the safety and welfare of his passengers and crew, and his decision was necessary for that reason."

AAP

========================================

ABC News Online

Posted: Thu, 3 Jul 2003 14:05 AEST

Man granted bail after mid-air incident

A 41-year-old man has been granted conditional bail in the Darwin Magistrates Court after being arrested for allegedly threatening to injure a flight attendant.

It is alleged Michael Edward Donovan threatened to injure a staff member on a Singapore Airlines flight bound for Brisbane and was taken off the flight in Darwin.

Mr Donovan has been charged with behaving in an insulting manner by swearing when asking for a beer and threatening to injure a person by saying: "Do you want to take me on?"

Magistrate John Lowndes granted Mr Donovan bail on the condition he reappear in court this afternoon and remain in the company of his legal aid lawyer.

=========================================

[Ralph the Bong]

The 'off-load': back in the good 'ol days , we would've been allowed to make 'em walk the plank!YoHoHo..:p

[xkred27]

Pity the flight couldn't go back to Singapore. A month or so in Changi would sort this w@nker out:O

[pullock]

This sort of thing appears to be happening more often these days.

Has anyone put pay to the thought that PAX are rebelling to the heavy handed security and control measures that have recently been put in place.

I am noticing a correlation between increased security measures which lead to an increased feeling of disempowerment amongst passengers, and rebelious passenger behaviour. Clearly to a disempowered PAX, the easiest person to vent upon is cabin staff.

I am not saying it's right to do so, but I am saying that perhaps the increasing incidence of such air-rage ocurrences probably has a cause. To just lable peoples behaviour as stupid without looking at the cause is .....well.........stupid.............

[Pinky the pilot]

IMHO the reason we are seeing these sort of incidents is due to the fact that these days people are simply not willing to take responsibility for their own actions or exercise any form of self control/dicipline. ie 'it's not my fault, I had a deprived childhood etc etc.

pullock; You can't be serious!!!!:confused:

You only live twice. Once when
you're born. Once when
you've looked death in the face.

[pullock]

I am serious, but I am not suggesting that people should have no responsibility for their actions either. It appears to me that air-rage is increasing post 11/9, and there must be a reason for this. I don't believe that there has been a massive mind shift in the travelling public that has lead to this, but one thing that has changed is a mind shift in the security industry to capitalise fear, to line it's own pockets. So one thing that has noticeably changed is security, and it is an aggravating thing at the best of times.

you must have some idea of the psychology behind what happens to a traveller when they enter the guardianship of an airline carrier to travel from one place to another. There are a number of issues at play that may effect individuals behaviour. Firstly, people are placed in an environment or carrying out an act which is foreigh or even frightening to them, we call it flying. Next, those same people are subject to a complete disempowerment in that the outcome of the flight, ie their safe or otherwise arrival at their destination is completely out of their control, and they have absolutely no way to change that. That is disempowering, and various people react in different ways to that. Not only are people disempowered during air travel, they are further placed in uncomfortable situations by the security screening at the aitports, which from what I have seen often amounts to a partial public strip search. That's not to mention the worse than bad customer service that you can expect when travelling on most airlines (SQ excepted) these days, that's sometimes enough to make anyone a little out of sorts.

AND THE INDUSTRY STILL WONDERS WHY PAX OFTEN APPEAR A LITTLE DIFFICULT ????

That's right, it's not us, it's them.......all of them............and the airlines are perfect.

:ok:

[Wirraway]

AAP and Reuters

'Bad holiday' sparked air passenger's outburst
July 3 2003

A Queensland man who today blamed a bad holiday in Egypt for misbehaving on an international flight, forcing it to make an unschedeuled stop in Darwin, may face a $25,000 bill from the airline.

Michael Edward Donovan, 41, of Bauple in Queensland, today pleaded guilty to behaving in an insulting manner on a Singapore Airlines flight from Singapore to Brisbane this morning.

For the Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions, Marcus Hassell told the court Donovan and his girlfriend started to fight about two hours into the flight from Singapore.

He twice told a flight attendant "do you want to take me on?" Mr Hassell said.

The court heard Donovan was angry because he had a "bad holiday" in Egypt.

The pilot diverted the flight to Darwin where it landed at 3.40am today.

Magistrate John Lowndes adjourned the hearing to give the parties time to discuss the second charge of threatening to injure a person.

The hearing continues.

A spokesman for Singapore Airlines said it was exploring ways to get the man to pay the additional $25,000 costs, such as landing charges, caused by the unexpected stop in Darwin during the flight from Singapore to Brisbane.

``There were no complaints from passengers about the decision to put down in Darwin and get rid of this guy. In fact, when he was led off the aircraft by police, the police were cheered,'' the spokesman said.

AAP and Reuters

===========================================

[Ushuaia]

So there you have it. I knew we were all being a little hard on this bloke...... it was EGYPT'S fault!

[Taildragger67]

Pullock

You might have a point, but another possibility is that pre-11 Spe 01, drongoes did this sort of thing but were just told to pipe down.

Post-11 Sep, the crew doesn't know if he's going to start trying to light his trainers, or is decoying for someone nefarious elsewhere on board... I'd say the number of nongs is the same, but we're all just (rightly) more wary.

If he were in a pub, he'd be chucked out by the bouncers. Landing & dumping is the next best thing on an aircraft.

There was the NZ hostie a few years back suddenly flipped mid-Pac & decided to give the punters an impromptu show, but that's a different story!!

In any case, the holiday must have been pretty dire as by the time he was en-route SIN-BNE, he would've been travelling for a while from CAI. Possibly throw a little grog into the mix? Maybe that's part of the problem - limit alcohol intake. Imagine some p1ssed idiot trying to lurch his way out of 5R on QF6... possibly would have 'lubricated' the slide for those following...

Cheers
TD67

[Islander Jock]

So Pullock,
What you are saying is that despite the million or more people that fly daily all over the world without succumbing to their "disempowerment" [I hate that w@nk word], we should say "there there mate, no worries, we know you didn't mean it".

Gawd, give me a break will you.

Now I'm 195cm tall, travel regularly (in cattle class) and love a couple of scotch and cokes and red wines during the 11hr legs.
Never ever have I been refused service,
Never do I get narky with the aircrew no matter how disempowering they seem to me.

It is Mr Donovan and he only who is to blame for his situation. Not security checks, not the airline, not his lousy holiday in Egypt. To suggest otherwise would indicate that perhaps Mr Donovan is not of enough mental capacity to be allowed to safely travel in an aircraft unsupervised.

As for a public strip search, well I can remember two body searches, one in Lagos where the guard asked me if I had something for him to which I replied "My best wishes for your family". Another boarding an SAS flight from LHR to Gothenburg unfortunately they were being politically correct here and had the male security searching the blokes and a cute little blonde number doing the women. Despite my pleading, couldn't get them to change. :p

[Buster Hyman]

If he didn't like his Egypt holiday, wait until he sees his Darwin accommodation!!!:eek: BOHICA!

I wonder how the legal action (if taken by SQ) will go? Could set quite an interesting precedent and lots of nasty little ramifications too!:confused:

[MIss Behaviour]

Why don't they "bring back the biff" and recruit the likes of Liam Gallagher and other likeminded folk who don't take no crap from nobody.

That way they could glass him (Mr Donovan that is) or at the very least give the boy a Liverpool Kiss.

Buster
I don't know where you stayed in DN or surrounds but I wouldn't swap my digs for anything, particularly for a place where they get winter :ok: :ok:

[Mr. Hat]

A Jail term is what is needed. Perhaps some pre boarding messages for pax stating that unruly behaviour will not be tollerated and that large penalties will apply?

Jail term - go to jail see you in a few yeasrs time when you've calmed down.

[Capt Claret]

I don't read Pullok's threads as excusing the dill, simply trying to explain his perception that there is an increase in this sort of behavior.

Related to this incident:- this morning's world renowned NT News had a front page photo, purported to be said dill, leaving court yesterday, wearing a T-shirt with an image of a baby with

a mohecian haircut
tats on arms, neck, head, face;
stud through bottom lip.


To front up to a magistrate dressed thus surely indicates a lack of common sense! :uhoh:

The News went on to say that Mr Dill claims to have drunk 4 beers and two cointreaus before and during the flight. Cheap drunk I'd say! :E

[MIss Behaviour]

Claret

Along with a few Sudafed for good measure, a few cones and a couple of lines of coke also perhaps! :zzz: :zzz:

[pullock]

Thank you CC for reading what I have written.

To be honest, looking at said person on the news, he didn't appear to be up there with the socio-economic elite, and I am still not defending his actions. What I am saying is that I have observed a corrolation between increased air-rage incidents, and the increase in aggravation surrounding flying, which is made up of a number of factors.

To mention that perhaps it's not the incidence that has increased but rather the reporting of incidents, is a valid point also.....the same thing has happened with ADHD, since it was given a name and became diagnosible, the incidence of the disease has sky-rocketed along with abuse of the drugs used to treat it.

Somebody also suggested jailing the man, MY GOD, get your airline blinkers off dude, The man made a stupid and annoying comment, he did not actually assault anyone, he just threatened to. I am glad airline people never get allowed to become judges......imagine if that happened.........stock brokers would be given custodial sentences for minor offences:sad:

[Knave]

The story actually makes sense when you read he's from Bauple. Coming from a town whos sole claim to fame is that it has more fairies and elves than any other place in Queensland cant do much for your personal karma.

[topend3]

i wish this happened more often..we got to see a 777 in Darwin...woohoo!!!

:O :O

[Buster Hyman]

Miss Behaviour.

Or should that be, Miss Understanding? My reference to DN accom was more along the lines of a small room with a bed & toilet that has lovely bars on the windows...:rolleyes:

I can assure you that I have never been to DN, but have longed to, ever since I found out that the AN load controllers there used to have a mini bar under their desk....mmmmm:E :E :E

[HotDog]

I don't like SQ's chances of recovering $25,000 from this idiot.


"Wearing a T-shirt with an image of a baby with;

a mohican haircut

tats on arms, neck, head, face;

stud through bottom lip."

[Islander Jock]

pullock,

I apologise if my comments seemed a little heated and without full comprehension of the points you were trying to make.

I do remain a little unsympathetic though to those who cannot exercise reasonable levels of restraint under hardly trying conditions. No one twists these people's arem into going onto an aircraft. They make that decision themselves in full knowledge of strict security arrangements, crappy seat spacing, long sectors etc etc. If they don't think they can handle it then they shouldn't fly. If they do however and F:mad:k up then they just better hope they land in a country with a soft c:mad:k judicial system like Australia.

Somebody also suggested jailing the man, MY GOD, get your airline blinkers off dude, The man made a stupid and annoying comment, he did not actually assault anyone, he just threatened to.

To use this logic, I can threaten a crew member essential to the safety of the aircraft but without resorting to the physical act of assault I should expect what? A letter from the 5'4" FA saying "thankyou sir for not knocking my block off".
:rolleyes:

Whether or not he gets a custodial sentence is academic. By the description of this character he is a monty for an unfit to plead ruling.

[amos2]

Pullok...

you're a pillock!!

get lost!

[Azimuth]

A jail term is a little excessive I think. The $25000 he has to pay back is more than enough:p

[HotDog]

Yes, maybe the stud through his lower lip is a 4 carat diamond!:rolleyes:

[Boomerang]

Looks like the magistrate doesn't view his actions the way we do.

Also saw him livin it up at Rorke's tonight. :* :mad:

[Desert Flower]

From the Adelaide Advertiser Saturday 5-7-03.
A man involved in an alleged (love that word!) air rage incident may have to pay the cost of diverting the aircraft, a Darwin magistrate was told yesterday.
Singapore Airlines has estimated the cost of diverting the aircraft at $15,000 to $17,000.
And I hope they do make the :mad:wit pay - it might discourage anyone else who gets the same idea. Yes Pinky, I agree with you - it's all about people not wanting to take responsibility for their own actions these days. So he had a bad holiday in Egypt - so b....y what!!

[Col. Walter E. Kurtz]

He should count his lucky stars that Winstun wasn't on board!

[Qwannas]

The majority of people who make the decision to travel by air are releived to see an increase in the security measures taken within this industry. For a few, it may be a 'change' to the way they liked it before. Perhaps it is a little disempowering or harassing so they make a bit of a scene in order to feel empowered again. But the fact is, the risks have changed. And to protect the people who use this service, the airline industry has had to change, too. As I mentioned, the majority of people, who choose to fly, understand this and accept this as part of their conditions for safe travel. Most people are sensible about it.

Something else that has changed, is the lack in tolerance that companies once had towards abusive, threatening passengers. (Thank heavens!! From a staff member's point of view - our working enviornment is so much more supportive than it was before.) People just cant get away with what they used to!

[MIss Behaviour]

I hear on the local grapevine that Mr Donovan was politely told that he would not be uplifted on the rat & had to cancel his booking DN/BN. :{

Wonder if DJ have a red button should the name ever be entered into their res system. :confused:

[RaTa]

Heard on the ABC news today that he wanted to plead guilty. From what I can gather the magistrate thinks this fellow should stand trial and has set a date in November.

[amos2]

Don't think there should be a problem in getting this idiot home!

You'll take him wont you Pullock! :p

[pullock]

LOL @ amos2


11 12 13 14 15

numbers inserted to make up the minimum 15 characterpost length.

[MIss Behaviour]

Saw both Channel 9 & ABC News Darwin last night with a clearly agitated Mr Donovan chain smoking outside Darwin Magistrates Court then banging his arm on the wall in frustration.

This kind of behaviour seems ingrained in this person & I would certainly not want to be anywhere near this pax on any flight.

The reporter said that throughout his appearance Mr Donovan was shaking uncontrollably.

Wonder how he would go on a long flight say Cairo/Singapore for instance without a ciggie???

Also couldn't help noticing he was wearing a white T-shirt with the word "Egypt" emblazoned across the front. A funny thing to do I would have thought, considering he had such a horrible holiday there!!! :8 :8

[Kaptin M]

Following on from Col. Kurtz' lead......


The magistrate has held high level talks with Winstun, and in the interests of the fare paying public, Winnie has been commissioned to fly his business jet up and back from Bauple to Darwin not below FL510.

Winstun alone shall escort the said Mr Mohawk, and should the stud through the lip even show the slightest tremor, Winstun will accidently dispatch the offender to greener pastures, but then use his medical expertise to recover Mr Mohawk from beyond the grave, whilst chanting in 8 different languages (including ancient Egyptian, which Winstun picked up during his 2 week stint as an acclaimed archaeologist and tomb raider).

GO Winstun GO :ok:

[amos2]

Well may you scoff M, but there is room in this world for the Winstuns of this world!


Exactly where that room is, I'm not too sure, but we're working on it!

Besides wouldn't you rather have 180 Winstuns on your airplane up there than 180 nutters? :O

[Four Seven Eleven]

amos2 Besides wouldn't you rather have 180 Winstuns on your airplane up there than 180 nutters? Make a sentence using the words "six", and "half a dozen".;) :D :p :)

[CoodaShooda]

Miss B
I notice that you are too much a lady to also comment on the same news footage that showed him 'taking a leak' against the courthouse fire door. :uhoh: :oh: (Of course, being neither a lady nor a gentleman, I have no such scruples. :E )

Pullock
Other reasons for an increase in cases of air rage could include the growing accessibility of air transport for less socially adept people, such as this pillock; but, more likely, the fact that cases of air rage are now trendy in the media world and so are reported on ad nauseum.

[amos2]

You are so unkind 711!...as well as astute!

;)

[Pinky the pilot]

Well; an interesting mix of opinions.(as usual) Sorry pillock but it seems that you're on your own.
No offence intended but I feel that you're looking for something that simply is'nt there in your posting as to 'why he dunnit'
May I draw another example....
In my town of residence in rural SA there is a young lad regarded as a bit of a 'tearaway'; shaven head, baseball cap on backwards etc who drives a loud, lowered P plated Commodore with the usual 'doof doof' music (sic) played at somewhere near full volume. Car is complete with rear window sticker
' Instant ****hole; just add beer'
Sadly in this case it's an example of truth in labelling!
With only just a few beers under his belt he becomes one of the most obnoxious, annoying cretins imaginable. He has not been disempowered by any instrument of authority. He simply lacks any form of self dicipline or control. It is sincerely hoped by most who know of him that he grows up and straightens himself out before he wraps himself and his car around a tree or power pole.
However, that is entirely up to him!

You only live twice. Once when
you're born. Once when
you've looked death in the face.

[MIss Behaviour]

The Holden phenomenon or is it Commodore? What is it about the car manufacturer that attracts so many dropkicks? Now I’m sure there are some responsible Holden drivers out there, however I’m yet to meet one.

Wannabe production drivers please take note: you will never be, not even in your wildest dreams a Peter Brock or a Mark Skaife – end of story! You are nothing more than legends in your Recaro’s so the sooner you realise that the better!

There is always an increase of ‘Holden incidents’ ignited by testosterone that coincides with round 6 of the V8 Supercars in Darwin.

While it may to cool to watch Victor or Ben Bray doorslamming their ’57 Chev around in an appropriate environment
(ie racetrack) it is most un-cool to imitate this in your own vehicle at Casuarina Square car park particularly during lunchtime in the school holidays.

Firstly, to the owner of the Commodore with the numberplate late “Headake” (sic) & the atrocious modification masquerading as a body kit, rear window sticker “caution vehicle frequently sideways” and last but not least the obligatory furry dice hanging from the mirror which should be an offence in itself (actually, it is):

I have your number pegged fella & don’t be surprised if you get a visit from a burly policeman renowned in Darwin for his ‘way with words’. Sort of like a like coffee and a chat from your friendly FOI. Na na na na.

Secondly, to idiot features driving a white Commodore with the number plate “Itz War” with the bumper sticker “only milk & juice come in 2 litres – authorised Ford destroyer”. You & what army??? Probably 2cav Regt or 5/7 Bn no doubt:

Although I don’t consider trying to drag me off at traffic lights an offence just yet, any other misdeameanour will be dealt with as above.

That’s all for now because if I think about it any more I’m going to choke on my skinny latte. :eek: :eek:

[Hugh Jarse]

Sorry to go off topic, but..

Pinky, the ******** you mention sadly will probably kill somebody else before he hurts himself. Such is the way with drunk drivers.:yuk:

MissB: The wattage of the stereo, and number of stupid stickers is inversely proportional to sexual prowess/penis size/attractiveness to the opposite sex.:} :} :}

Just go down to Brighton (SY) any night and you'll see what I mean:E

[topend3]

Do you guys realise that this guy actually wasn't charged with anything when he landed in court in Darwin. All he said to the hostie allegedly was "get me a ****ing beer", the judge couldn't find anything in his behaviour which suggested a direct threat against the cabin crew or the aircraft itself, so the question must be asked why the aircraft was diverted in the first place, true it is the captain's decision and better to be safe, but do aircraft divert every day cos some twit asks a bit agressively for a beer?

[amos2]

You don't really expect us to believe that do you TE3?