Dealing with drunk passengers
Thread Starter
Dealing with drunk passengers
If a report in today's Telegraph is to be believed, the captain of an Easyjet flight from Malta to Mancester, on 26th September, left the cockpit, in flight, to try to calm down a drunken passenger.
I find it hard to believe that any captain would be stupid enough to do this. Even before 9/11, I would not have done so, on the grounds that if I got laid out by a drunk, the F/O would then have been obliged to land the aircraft alone. ( Yes, I know he is trained to do so, but it puts a lot of pressure on him- why put him in that situation without good reason? )
To do so after 9/11 borders on lunacy. Why do people think there is a bullet proof door to the cockpit?
What guidance, if any, do companies currently give on the subject?
I find it hard to believe that any captain would be stupid enough to do this. Even before 9/11, I would not have done so, on the grounds that if I got laid out by a drunk, the F/O would then have been obliged to land the aircraft alone. ( Yes, I know he is trained to do so, but it puts a lot of pressure on him- why put him in that situation without good reason? )
To do so after 9/11 borders on lunacy. Why do people think there is a bullet proof door to the cockpit?
What guidance, if any, do companies currently give on the subject?
Must admit from what I read understood the confrontation with the captain happened on the ground.
Do you really expect an answer to that?
What guidance, if any, do companies currently give on the subject?
Last edited by wiggy; 10th Oct 2013 at 19:10.
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: UK. East Mids.
Posts: 440
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I read is as confrontation on the ground, after landing.
Seemed like a charming punter. Could think of nicer things to see with no kit on... But, there we have it...
Seemed like a charming punter. Could think of nicer things to see with no kit on... But, there we have it...
Thread Starter
Report says:-
"Trouble reportedly began mid-flight when the passenger became abusive to fellow passengers and the captain left the cockpit controls to try to calm him down""
"Trouble reportedly began mid-flight when the passenger became abusive to fellow passengers and the captain left the cockpit controls to try to calm him down""
Join Date: Jan 1999
Location: north of barlu
Posts: 6,207
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Oxenos
I have just had a look at the online version of the telegraph report, at no time does it mention the captain leaving the cockpit in flight or any action that boarders on an act of lunacy.
As the others have reported it would seem that the confrontation with the captain happened on the ground after the engines were shut down.
Are you sure that you are not letting the truth get in the way of a good story ?
As the others have reported it would seem that the confrontation with the captain happened on the ground after the engines were shut down.
Are you sure that you are not letting the truth get in the way of a good story ?
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: formally Cyprus, now UK
Posts: 351
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
It seems , according to this report, that he left the cockpit
VIDEO: Drunk easyJet passenger Tasered by cops after stripping NAKED and demanding to fight captain - Mirror Online
VIDEO: Drunk easyJet passenger Tasered by cops after stripping NAKED and demanding to fight captain - Mirror Online
"Mildly" Eccentric Stardriver
Quite possible the captain left the flight-deck AFTER shutdown. I've had to do that before, to try and defuse the situation while waiting for the police to board.
Join Date: Jan 2000
Location: Berkshire
Posts: 523
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Justice?
"Officers used a "dry" Taser, where the gun is held against a target. Police said he was arrested and got a fixed penalty notice", compared to avoiding a £4 rail fare and fined £300+costs 
Aviator Extraordinaire
Join Date: May 2000
Location: Oklahoma City, Oklahoma USA
Age: 75
Posts: 2,394
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
got a fixed penalty notice
The lady he was with, look less than happy with this guys actions and behavior.
At times I think that some airline passengers should be should be carried as my passengers were in the past. In handcuffs, waist chains and leg irons.
Starting with this guy if he rides on the airlines again.
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Midlands
Posts: 32
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally Posted by Trinity 09L
compared to avoiding a £4 rail fare
Within defined areas a passenger without a ticket can be issued with a Penalty Notice which is additional to the fare to be paid, but not when attempting to travel without paying is involved. This is always Prosecuted. This Penalty Notice is totally different from a FPN in that it is a penalty for not having a ticket and is recoverable at Law as a civil debt. A failure to pay the fare itself is a Criminal act offence.
I notice he was wearing an Oakland Raiders t-shirt - figures - Raiders fans have a reputation as rowdies (the Raiders are an American Football team, not to be confused with the football sport we call soccer).
BTW, for those of us on the west side of the pond, what's a fixed penalty notice
BTW, for those of us on the west side of the pond, what's a fixed penalty notice
Join Date: May 2001
Location: south of Cirencester, north of Lyneham
Age: 75
Posts: 1,265
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
How do you differentiate between the drunk who boards, is polite to the CC, straps himself in and falls asleep for the rest of the flight, and the non-drunk who has been on an extended business trip, is extremely tired, completely sober and does the same? Both have probably missed the safety briefing.........
The rowdy obnoxious drunk needs ejecting - preferably in flight, but sadly, that's not allowed- but is the sleepy, quiet, polite-when-awake one a problem?
The rowdy obnoxious drunk needs ejecting - preferably in flight, but sadly, that's not allowed- but is the sleepy, quiet, polite-when-awake one a problem?
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Wor Yerm
Age: 66
Posts: 0
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
You have to base your decision on who to accept based on evidence. So if you board, stay quiet and possibly even ignore the very important safety briefing but make no trouble, you'll almost certainly make it to your intended destination. But have a carrot juice too many and play the idiot you should expect to be left behind.
The problem comes in flight and on the ground whenever passengers are on board. We are responsible for everyone on board and owe them all a duty of care. Therefore we must find a way of silencing, restraining or ejecting trouble makers a quickly as possible. Leaving the flight deck inflight is a bad idea but to leave it on the ground and play target, allowing everyone else to disembark may be a good idea.
But I have a question: Where is plod? I'd be squawking a hollering for the police for the whole time of the descent. So either nobody called them, they couldn't get past "security" or they were slow - which was it?
The problem comes in flight and on the ground whenever passengers are on board. We are responsible for everyone on board and owe them all a duty of care. Therefore we must find a way of silencing, restraining or ejecting trouble makers a quickly as possible. Leaving the flight deck inflight is a bad idea but to leave it on the ground and play target, allowing everyone else to disembark may be a good idea.
But I have a question: Where is plod? I'd be squawking a hollering for the police for the whole time of the descent. So either nobody called them, they couldn't get past "security" or they were slow - which was it?
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: UK.
Posts: 4,391
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
radeng, As, I'm sure, you know, it's an experience and situational awareness judgement (a gut feelin' call 
)
You just hope they can hold their drink; and most people can.
Potbelly baldie was the exception. Hope he's bought her a big bunch of flowers
)You just hope they can hold their drink; and most people can.
Potbelly baldie was the exception. Hope he's bought her a big bunch of flowers
Guest
Posts: n/a
..soooo you would give Capt. taser gun today, and real gun tomorrow, rifle after tomorrow...right?
of course that Capt. was stupid. Swiss pilots will know about such an incident, where Capt. became immobilized...
to deal with drunk passengers (during flight) there is ONLY one way...GIVE HIM/HER MORE ALCOHOL...till he/she becomes immobilized....all other ways you play with fire
left the cockpit, in flight, to try to calm down a drunken passenger.
to deal with drunk passengers (during flight) there is ONLY one way...GIVE HIM/HER MORE ALCOHOL...till he/she becomes immobilized....all other ways you play with fire
