Another Disruptive Passenger

[Final 3 Greens]

Originally Posted by beamer

I'm guessing that the RAF wanted an excuse to test out their reaction time and had a word with air traffic for a heads up next time there was a minor incident such as yesterday,

That sounds plausible, thanks for responding.

[Blackfriar]

I would rather the RAF were standing by to shoot it down and not needed than vice versa and it ends up in the City in a smoking hole. You don't know what was said and people quickly made the decision to be better safe than sorry.

[302szd55]

These occurences seem to come in waves. Back in the 90's I was involved in "having a word" with 2 idiots aggresively intimidating young female CC on 2 entirely separate flights. On both occasions alcohol was involved and after myself and other agrieved passengers explained that their behaviour was unacceptible and liable to end badly for them, they calmed down and there was no further problem. In the same decade I also witnessed a brawl between several scumbags, again fueled by alcohol, on a flight in the US. Since then, despite having made more flights than I care to mention, I have seen no real trouble at all.

[Out Of Trim]

Originally Posted by Final 3 Greens

Are you arguing that a disruptive passenger, acting alone, is going to be able to breach the reinforced flight deck door and gain access? Sorry, I don't buy that.

How do you predict that it might be just a lone disruptive passenger?

They might well be a part of a ploy to divert attention whilst others combine to take control of the aircraft.

I'm glad the RAF remains ready and able to deploy so quickly to defeat any such attempt to try a 9/11 type event in the UK.

[Hotel Tango]

How do you predict that it might be just a lone disruptive passenger?

They might well be a part of a ploy to divert attention whilst others combine to take control of the aircraft.

Exactly! And ATC have set procedures to follow in such and similar events.

[SMT Member]

The real question is as follows: Are the airlines and airports really intersted in doing something about this, or are they merely whinging at the front door whilst quietly counting the money in a back room? I have more than a sneaking suspicion it's the latter, in which case they may safely stuff their complaints where the sun doesn't shine.

If they were truly intended on rooting out this kind of behaviour, a few actions would have it stopped by tomorrow. They could start by breathalysing every single passenger, and if they blow more than x% they're off-loaded. Likewise, they could ban the sale and consumption of alcohol onboard; duty free bought onboard could be delivered at the very end of the trip, and passengers would not be allowed to bring any alcohol onboard they purchased on the ground.

But, as initially stated, that would interfere with their first, second and last priority: Making money.

[groundbum]

Airlines could change their contract with the ground agent so ground agent pays any costs related to a passenger they've boarded. Simples.

G

[etrang]

Originally Posted by Final 3 Greens

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/jet2-stansted-raf-jets-sonic-boom-typhoon-qra-a8970716.htm

Genuine question from a pax - how does a fighter escort help resolve a disruptive passenger situation?

It doesn't. But in a worst case scenario they can shoot the plane down. They can also monitor and provide independent reports of the aircraft activity. It also provides a good training exercise.

[Johnny F@rt Pants]

If they were truly intended on rooting out this kind of behaviour, a few actions would have it stopped by tomorrow. They could start by breathalysing every single passenger, and if they blow more than x% they're off-loaded. Likewise, they could ban the sale and consumption of alcohol onboard; duty free bought onboard could be delivered at the very end of the trip, and passengers would not be allowed to bring any alcohol onboard they purchased on the ground.

The airline involved here do much of what you have suggested. There isn’t time to breathalyse every single passenger, but facilities are available and have been used to breathalyse people suspected of being inebriated and they have been then prevented from flying. Sales of alcohol are restricted to a set time of the day, still early mind, and are monitored and restricted by the Cabin Crew (or should be, they are taught to do so). The airline has also been instrumental in some airports sealing duty free sales in tamper proof bags to try to eliminate people drinking this, not a perfect solution, but every little helps. It would be down to the airport to instigate a delivery service to the aeroplane like in the US, and there seems to be a reluctance to go down that route.

The airline involved here also prosecutes these imbeciles, and delivers the bill to them for the expense incurred. I’m sure this lady (if you can call her that) will end up in prison after this event, she won’t be the first that this airline has pursued and seen sentenced

[Out Of Trim]

Originally Posted by groundbum

Airlines could change their contract with the ground agent so ground agent pays any costs related to a passenger they've boarded. Simples.

G

Not quite so simple!

Ground agents are not bouncers. Some pax can seem fine passing through the gate but then kick off once on board. It's not always so obvious as to who should be denied boarding and would often require the Police in attendance to sort out those that then kick off at the gate! Who has the power to decide?

[etrang]

According to other pax on this flight she appeared perfectly normal until after take-off. Then she just went crazy, not drunk, just crazy.

[Final 3 Greens]

Originally Posted by Out Of Trim

How do you predict that it might be just a lone disruptive passenger?

They might well be a part of a ploy to divert attention whilst others combine to take control of the aircraft.

I'm glad the RAF remains ready and able to deploy so quickly to defeat any such attempt to try a 9/11 type event in the UK.

Does it really matter if it is one or more people? It's not 2001, any longer. Procedures have changed and the access to the flight deck that the 9/11 criminals got has evaporated, reinforced doors, cameras, etc., to say nothing of the action by other pax.

I'm grateful for the efforts of all of our armed forces, they do a great job.

[barry lloyd]

What I find ridiculous in all this is that the media are not concentrating on the perpetrator or the potential conequences, rather on a big bang in Essex and associated counties, but then I suppose the same media are threatening world war at every opportunity, so perhaps it's not surprising after all when people hear a sonic boom these days.
The person concerned will be brought before the magistrates tomorrow (UK time) and doubtless will later have a plea of mitigation. Probably a poor childhood/just lost her job and/or boyfriend, or her favourite was voted off Love Island. These people make me sick.

[Shandy52]

Originally Posted by barry lloyd

The person concerned will be brought before the magistrates tomorrow (UK time) and doubtless will later have a plea of mitigation. Probably a poor childhood/just lost her job and/or boyfriend, or her favourite was voted off Love Island. These people make me sick.

Or just possibly she requires psychiatric treatment. We shall have to wait and see.

[SMT Member]

Originally Posted by groundbum

Airlines could change their contract with the ground agent so ground agent pays any costs related to a passenger they've boarded. Simples.

G

Good luck finding a handling agent willing to sign for that!

Besides, any lawyer worth their salt could easily make a case the buck stops at the door, and as the passengers walks onboard any further responsibility is on the airline.

[BEagle]

Or just possibly she requires psychiatric treatment. We shall have to wait and see.

The first sensible comment on this thread!

Allow airline terminal security goons to bully passengers who have to queue for ages (as at that dump known as Stansted), then cram them in to 30in pitch seats and if they suffer from a fear of flying or claustrophobia, some might well 'flip' and behave irrationally, particularly if they've had even half a wine gum after reaching the departure gate area.

Economy airline travel is a pretty stressful experience these days - although the behaviour of some passengers, such as the Vicky Pollard clones I saw waddling off to some flight from BHX to Oybeefa for a hen party the other week, is pretty disgusting.

[Capt Pit Bull]

You can't figure this out?

In case the initial report of a disruptive passenger turns out to be a terrorist attempt at a suicide hijacking 9-11 style.

[DaveReidUK]

Originally Posted by Johnny F@rt Pants

The airline involved here do much of what you have suggested.

Are you referring to Titan, whose aircraft and (presumably) crew operated the flight, or Jet2, whose flight it was ?

[Airbanda]

Originally Posted by DaveReidUK

Are you referring to Titan, whose aircraft and (presumably) crew operated the flight, or Jet2, whose flight it was ?

I think Jet 2 have a reputation for responding robustly to these sort of cases. I doubt fact that operation of this flight was subbed out to Titan makes any difference. Do Titan provide the CC or are they Jet 2.

[Joe_K]

Originally Posted by barry lloyd

What I find ridiculous in all this is that the media are not concentrating on the perpetrator or the potential conequences, rather on a big bang in Essex and associated counties

Seriously? From a journalism point of view that's what the story is: people in Essex and Cambridgeshire heard a loud bang and rang the police to complain. Just like they always complain when they hear a "sonic boom". People will undoubtedly be disappointed to read that the fighters were scrambled over a real security concern, if it was training they would be able to complain more. IIRC there was even a compensation claim filed with the MOD when they intercepted an Easyjet flight back in 2017, allegedly damage to a roof and windows. It seems to be a major preoccupation these days, complaining and claiming compensation...