Re: Inflight violence

Mike Sheffer (msheffer_at_jpc.com)
Mon, 14 Sep 1998 13:35:51 -0400

CharlieRU_at_aol.com wrote:
>
> Mike,
> Seems to me that the reduction of unruly passengers in a TEAM effort. It
> begins with the Sky Cap and ends with an arrest. Each peson in the passenger
> handling end of things should be trained in identifying peculiar behavior as
> well as the obvious:drunk or incoherent. Once when flying as a passenger, I
> witnessed the FA give more beers to five unruly young men in order to pacify
> them until landing. These characters had totally disrupted the flight. I
> spoke to the Captain when I deboarded. He was uninformed of the problem. I
> once reported a passenger who boarded the same aircraft I was boarding that I
> had seen fall ofof a bar stool earlier, he could not walk. They removed him.
> My background in military airlift trained us to watch the people who are
> boarding the airplane. Over the years you can spot them. Or at least ask
> them why they have on a raincoat and the sun is out. The young trooper had an
> AK47 he was trying to sneak home.
> Charlie
>
>
Dear Charlie,

It never ceases to amaze me that some folks just cannot seem to get it
through their thick skulls how their behavior can affect so many other
people. I've compiled a database of incidents, and the downright idiotic
antics are unbelievable.
I agree that there needs to be a TEAM effort established. If you look
at the Goals and Objectives of the Skyrage group, (attached) you will
find that we call for interdiction of impared passengers BEFORE the
boarding process has begun. This includes anywhere in the airport.
I was told a story of a man in Philly who was so trashed that he had
soiled himself in the gate area. Nevertheless, he was allowed to board!
This attitude of looking the other way really must be addressed. I
realize that the air carriers are in business, but someone who is so
inebriated that they cannot function is not only a safety hazard to
themselves, but the other passengers they encounter. I am sure that
there are cases where, during an emergency evacuation, drunken
passengers have not made it out of the aircraft and perhaps even blocked
useable exits because they were impared.
Thanks for your input. I'll keep your address on file. If you'd like,
send me your postal address and I'll mail a couple of "No Skyrage"
decals for you. You can E-mail me .... msheffer_at_wbtv.com or
skyrage_at_compuserve.com
Take care,
Mike