A contender for the best ever news headline?
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A contender for the best ever news headline?
Posted without comment for obvious reasons...
South Wales Evening Post
FAT MAN IN AIR RAGE SEAT ROW SLAP ATTACK
LEON WATSON
14:00 - 24 March 2004
An obese Swansea man slapped a fellow passenger in a trans-Atlantic air rage attack triggered by reclining seats, it has been alleged. Scottish tourist Jerry Hall was travelling economy class on BA flight 2226 from Atlanta to Gatwick when he claims he was suddenly smacked by an overweight man from Swansea.
The man, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, became enraged without warning when Mr Hall reclined his seat 90 minutes before the end of the flight.
"The flight was utterly unremarkable until around 90 minutes from touchdown," said Mr Hall.
"I was reading and listening to music with headphones when the guy behind me - without any preamble or warning - slapped me on the side of the head with his open hand.
"Needless to say, having had no contact with him whatsoever until that point, I was astonished."
The 54-year-old man, who claimed to be suffering from cancer, then allegedly launched a volley of verbal abuse at Mr Hall - despite having reclined his own seat.
"By the time I had the headphones off and was turned round to face him, he was mouthing off about how I was a rude, ignorant person for having my seat reclined," said Mr Hall.
"I think you could say that we had a 'fair and frank exchange of views' during which I told him never to lay hands on me again.
"I also pointed out that I hadn't designed the aircraft's seating arrangements and that he was free to recline his own seat if he had space problems.
"He said that he would never recline his seat to a fellow passenger and that I 'didn't have a clue'.
Mr Hall then called a flight attendant who told his attacker that Mr Hall could recline his seat as far he wanted.
"She also pointed out, when he protested that he wouldn't ever show such discourtesy to a fellow passenger, that his seat was in fact partly reclined," said Mr Hall.
When the flight finally arrived at Gatwick in the early hours of March 10 police boarded the plane at the request of the pilot and arrested the man for common assault.
But Mr Hall decided not to press charges and the man - who was travelling with his wife - was released.
"The guy was evidently under the delusion that although one could recline one's seat, it was totally out of order actually to do so," said Mr Hall.
"He was without doubt the most ignorant and unenlightened person I have ever encountered on an aircraft."
"The fact that he assumed I was American and treated me to a short lecture which began, 'Here in Britain, pal, we treat each other with courtesy . . .' added a note of utter farce to the entire situation.
"I am Scottish and have lived in the States for only three years."
South Wales Evening Post
FAT MAN IN AIR RAGE SEAT ROW SLAP ATTACK
LEON WATSON
14:00 - 24 March 2004
An obese Swansea man slapped a fellow passenger in a trans-Atlantic air rage attack triggered by reclining seats, it has been alleged. Scottish tourist Jerry Hall was travelling economy class on BA flight 2226 from Atlanta to Gatwick when he claims he was suddenly smacked by an overweight man from Swansea.
The man, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, became enraged without warning when Mr Hall reclined his seat 90 minutes before the end of the flight.
"The flight was utterly unremarkable until around 90 minutes from touchdown," said Mr Hall.
"I was reading and listening to music with headphones when the guy behind me - without any preamble or warning - slapped me on the side of the head with his open hand.
"Needless to say, having had no contact with him whatsoever until that point, I was astonished."
The 54-year-old man, who claimed to be suffering from cancer, then allegedly launched a volley of verbal abuse at Mr Hall - despite having reclined his own seat.
"By the time I had the headphones off and was turned round to face him, he was mouthing off about how I was a rude, ignorant person for having my seat reclined," said Mr Hall.
"I think you could say that we had a 'fair and frank exchange of views' during which I told him never to lay hands on me again.
"I also pointed out that I hadn't designed the aircraft's seating arrangements and that he was free to recline his own seat if he had space problems.
"He said that he would never recline his seat to a fellow passenger and that I 'didn't have a clue'.
Mr Hall then called a flight attendant who told his attacker that Mr Hall could recline his seat as far he wanted.
"She also pointed out, when he protested that he wouldn't ever show such discourtesy to a fellow passenger, that his seat was in fact partly reclined," said Mr Hall.
When the flight finally arrived at Gatwick in the early hours of March 10 police boarded the plane at the request of the pilot and arrested the man for common assault.
But Mr Hall decided not to press charges and the man - who was travelling with his wife - was released.
"The guy was evidently under the delusion that although one could recline one's seat, it was totally out of order actually to do so," said Mr Hall.
"He was without doubt the most ignorant and unenlightened person I have ever encountered on an aircraft."
"The fact that he assumed I was American and treated me to a short lecture which began, 'Here in Britain, pal, we treat each other with courtesy . . .' added a note of utter farce to the entire situation.
"I am Scottish and have lived in the States for only three years."
Plumbum Pendular
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I think that this sort of reporting is terrible and irresponsible, the poor chap should never be decribed like that.
Who would want anybody to know that you came from Swansea!!
Who would want anybody to know that you came from Swansea!!
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My favourite headline would still have to be after Celtic were beaten by Inverness Caledonian Thistle in the scottish cup a number of years ago, one of the rags came up with this the next day "Super Caley go ballistic Celtic are atrocious". 
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I reclined my seat once, i recall it was on a 727 in 1971 and the
2nd O got one hell of a shock!!! -
seriously though.., why wouldn't Jones the Blubber just have politely requested that the chap in front reposition his seat?
No excuse for unprovoked attacks on fellow travellers.
Being rather lanky myself, I do find it somewhat annoying in cattle when you get trapped by the recliner, especially if you have the meal tray out and have a pot of hot (well it was once) soup on the go! But have not yet had the urge to clip anyone round the bonnet for it.
2nd O got one hell of a shock!!! -
seriously though.., why wouldn't Jones the Blubber just have politely requested that the chap in front reposition his seat?
No excuse for unprovoked attacks on fellow travellers.
Being rather lanky myself, I do find it somewhat annoying in cattle when you get trapped by the recliner, especially if you have the meal tray out and have a pot of hot (well it was once) soup on the go! But have not yet had the urge to clip anyone round the bonnet for it.
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I think there's still an arguement for a slightly more robust approach to the problem of disruptive pax.
Shoot every third one of the dribbling morons in the back of the head before they board. I reckon that should acheive the desired result, with the added benefit of assisting in staff travel issues.
'Fly the friendly skies at Totalitarian Airlines'.
Shoot every third one of the dribbling morons in the back of the head before they board. I reckon that should acheive the desired result, with the added benefit of assisting in staff travel issues.
'Fly the friendly skies at Totalitarian Airlines'.
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Not sure if this headline was ever published in 1958!
"VIVIAN FUCHS OFF TO SOUTH POLE"
Anybody know? Regards nooluv.........
"VIVIAN FUCHS OFF TO SOUTH POLE"
Anybody know? Regards nooluv.........
Last edited by nooluv; 25th Mar 2004 at 20:39.
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The best newspaper headline ever is surely the one that appeared on a televisdion programme in thr 1960's It read TEENAGE SURGEON BISHOP IN SEX CHAAGE MERCY DASH TO PALACE CORGI
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african flight
You may remember a few years back someone got onto the flight deck of a BA flight over Africa and caused a bit of a steep descent before being overpowered. From memory there were pictures in the paper.
Once the guy had been arrested on safe arrival this was delicately reported in the Bangkok Post under the headline "Nutter Diagnosed".
Once the guy had been arrested on safe arrival this was delicately reported in the Bangkok Post under the headline "Nutter Diagnosed".
