NationStates Jolt Archive

http://www.cnn.com/2006/US/09/12/flight.disrupted.ap/index.html

Ken Wolfenberger, of Whittier, California, who was on the flight, told The Associated Press in a telephone interview that he helped subdue the unruly passenger. The man wore patches on his fatigues with special forces and jujitsu champion logos, Wolfenberger said.

The man had been acting strangely for about 20 minutes, then sat up, wrapped belts around his hands and threw punches into the air, Wolfenberger said.

Wolfenberger said he heard a flight attendant yell for help and tell the man, "Sir, get your hand off the handle."

"Any time you hear a flight attendant shout 'please help,' you worry that something pretty bad is going to happen," he said.

Wolfenberger said the man was held down and punched by other passengers as he grabbed the man's leg. Air marshals then came and took custody of the man.

Yeah, it's nice to know that the air marshals don't really do anything except watch people get their asses beat.

Of course, if I was an air marshal, and saw the passengers beating the shit out of someone like this, I might give it a minute before I did anything. While it would be an abuse of power for an air marshal to beat someone, it's merely "passengers subduing the suspect" if the passengers beat him.

http://www.cnn.com/2006/US/09/12/flight.disrupted.ap/index.html



Yeah, it's nice to know that the air marshals don't really do anything except watch people get their asses beat.

Of course, if I was an air marshal, and saw the passengers beating the shit out of someone like this, I might give it a minute before I did anything. While it would be an abuse of power for an air marshal to beat someone, it's merely "passengers subduing the suspect" if the passengers beat him.


Depends on the degree of the beating. A good law enforcement officer always knows exactly how much beating people need. :)

One more reason why pirates are so much cooler than ninjas... :D

Of course, if I was an air marshal, and saw the passengers beating the shit out of someone like this, I might give it a minute before I did anything.

Not if he was trying to open the door in mid flight :eek: -- A man wearing military fatigues and throwing punches into the air tried to open the exit door of a jet during a cross-country flight on Tuesday night, airline officials and passengers said.

"I'll kill us all!!!"
"Hey Steve, look. That guy's tryin' to open the door...."
"... hmmm. Pass the Sports section will ya."

You see the Air Marshal was in first class, and nutjobs fly coach, because they're crazy, but not crazy enough to pay for first class!

How stupid does a person have to be these days to get on a plane and start acting like a dangerous asshole?
Maybe they want a beating?

I hope this guy's flying priveleges are permanently revoked when all is said and done. He doesnt need to be on a plane ever again.

And the passengers that acted and subdued him should be rewarded-maybe a civil commendation and some free flights.

Not if he was trying to open the door in mid flight :eek:

"I'll kill us all!!!"
"Hey Steve, look. That guy's tryin' to open the door...."
"... hmmm. Pass the Sports section will ya."

No, the passengers stopped him from opening the door. I'm talking about what I'd do if I were the air marshal, and the passengers were already beating the shit out of him.

I'd wait until I finished the Sports section, and then rescue what was left of him.

Are all cockpit doors now reinforced ?

Could you get through one without tools?

Are all cockpit doors now reinforced ?

Could you get through one without tools?

I'd assume so, but this guy was trying to open the ordinary entrance/exit door. The simple ones where all you have to do is "turn and push".

How stupid does a person have to be these days to get on a plane and start acting like a dangerous asshole?
Maybe they want a beating?

Stupid? Meh, crazy? yeah. Guy is throwing punches in the air with belt wrapped hands.

Stupid? Meh, crazy? yeah. Guy is throwing punches in the air with belt wrapped hands.

I think we need to start extra questioning for people we think are mall ninjas.

People wearing fragments of camouflage or military style clothing, who aren't in official military uniform with an official military ID need to be questioned.

Stupid? Meh, crazy? yeah. Guy is throwing punches in the air with belt wrapped hands.

Maybe the ninja in this story was the one he was trying to fight! :eek:

I'd assume so, but this guy was trying to open the ordinary entrance/exit door. The simple ones where all you have to do is "turn and push".

Ok- I overlooked that door completely.

I'm glad there were enough capable,willing people to stop him in time.

Stupid? Meh, crazy? yeah. Guy is throwing punches in the air with belt wrapped hands.

Either way- No more flying for him. Crazy, stupid or just a real asshole, when I fly, I dont need to worry about who neglected to take their medication.

The distinction isnt important. Just one more person on the no-fly list.

Its good to see people show initiative for their own safety. More than a few people trying to hijack a Turkish plane were seriously beated by the passengers. Even though they had weapons didn't stopped people :D

well they could have been waiting to see if sumone was just using it was a decoy to get the air mashels out in the open...

or just enjoying the show:)

I think it's funny that the guy would think he's strong enough to open the door while in flight. Due to the way the door opens (the door must be pulled in, then pushed out), it's nearly impossible to open the door when the cabin is pressurized (unless your skin is green, you're 7' tall or taller, and have anger issues).

I think it's funny that the guy would think he's strong enough to open the door while in flight. Due to the way the door opens (the door must be pulled in, then pushed out), it's nearly impossible to open the door when the cabin is pressurized (unless your skin is green, you're 7' tall or taller, and have anger issues).

Who needs to take the chance?

Either way- No more flying for him. Crazy, stupid or just a real asshole, when I fly, I dont need to worry about who neglected to take their medication.

The distinction isnt important. Just one more person on the no-fly list.

You remember the fellow a few months back that got shot on the ground because he allegedly forgot to take some medication. I think medicated people would be extra careful after that.