Unruly passenger dumped in Darwin
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Unruly passenger dumped in Darwin
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.
=========================================
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.
=========================================
Last edited by Wirraway; 3rd Jul 2003 at 13:54.
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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.............
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.............
Man Bilong Balus long PNG
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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!!!!
You only live twice. Once when
you're born. Once when
you've looked death in the face.
pullock; You can't be serious!!!!
You only live twice. Once when
you're born. Once when
you've looked death in the face.
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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.
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.
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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
===========================================
'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
===========================================
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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
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
I don't want to be the best pilot in the world - Just the oldest
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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.
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.
Evertonian
If he didn't like his Egypt holiday, wait until he sees his Darwin accommodation!!!
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!
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!
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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
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
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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.
Jail term - go to jail see you in a few yeasrs time when you've calmed down.
Bottums Up
IJ,
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
To front up to a magistrate dressed thus surely indicates a lack of common sense!
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!
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!
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!
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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
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
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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.
Evertonian
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...
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
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...
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
The Reverend
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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."
"Wearing a T-shirt with an image of a baby with;
a mohican haircut
tats on arms, neck, head, face;
stud through bottom lip."