A recent Delta Air Lines transpacific flight diverted to Alaska after a passenger and flight attendant got into an argument during a bathroom visit, as flagged by PYOK. Oy, it’s amazing how things can escalate unnecessarily.
Continue reading: Delta Flight Diverts To Alaska After Crew & Passenger Get Into Heated Argument
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"What is wrong with passengers, why do people act like this?"
Oh hi, it's been a minute.
Inflated egos. They only care about themselves and winning.
Welcome to the fat orange Nazi's America, where racism and the n-bomb are considered acceptable - indeed, desirable.
What I *wish* one of you travel bloggers would do is an in-depth look at people like this who've been arrested for disturbing a flight. I want to know in the real world how many of them ACTUALLY serve time, pay big fines, and ultimately end up on a single airline (or multiple) airlines' no-fly lists. I have a sneaking suspicion that most of these people are given a slap on the wrist, serve no time, and never end up on a no-fly list. I'd also love to know how many are repeat offenders.
Sounds like the passenger was over-served. Which doesn’t excuse his behavior, but maybe flight crews need to be a little better about cutting people off.
People like you are also the problem. If you don't agree with the current President's policies, that's completely fair. I don't always agree with them either.
But to call a president a Nazi, or any of his followers Nazis, just because you don't agree with them is just wrong.
Rather you like it not, Trump was elected president by a majority of the people in the US. That's not Nazism, it's just democracy.
"Rather you like it not, Trump was elected president by a majority of the people in the US. That's not Nazism, it's just democracy."
Trump has won the Electoral College twice and the popular vote once. But he has never won a majority, only plurality.
@ David
Just a slight correction.
President Trump received the most votes, but not the majority of votes (when you factor in the other parties) - His vote share was less than 50%.
I fully agree with your sentiments. I don't always agree with our President's decisions, but by and large I appreciate his leadership.
Yet another reason for one to avoid U.S. airlines and the proletariat who pervade there-on.
Of course people who voted for current president also think its ok when he or his supporters use racial slurs, implement discriminatory policies, and outright lie and steal ... as long as its not directly impacting people who look like themselves.
Someone needs to also keep the cabin crew power trip in check.
I'm not defending the drunk person's actions but the reactions from the crew should also be considered.
A drunk passenger as a level 3 threat?
Per FAA.
Examples: Weapon displayed/used, credible terrorist threats, credible bomb threats, or actual use of bombs, sabotage of aircraft systems, credible threats of hijacking, and
deadly hand-to-hand techniques such as choking or eye gouging.
These statements already demonstrated this is NOT a level 3 threat and the power tripping crew is overreacting.
"restraints were retrieved (though never used)"
"thought the two were going to come to physical blows."
That disruptive passenger needs to be punished.
However, someone needs to hold the crew accountable for their actions too.
Hitler also came to power through a legal process. No not everybody that voted for tump is a Nazi. But if you support him and his actions than you are complicit, just as the German people were during WWII.
It feels like there are more of these incidents because people who take flights that long have no alternative modes of transportation, so you get a sample size that includes a lot of different kinds of people. A lot of people with substance abuse issues would rather try to white knuckle (and fail) through sobriety on a flight than just stay home because they really need to get somewhere
President Trump won because he convinced fragile white people that POC, immigrants, gays and trans people are ruining their life. These people were failures before Trump and they will be after he leaves office (not convinced he will).
Discuss.
"But to call a president a Nazi, or any of his followers Nazis, just because you don't agree with them is just wrong."
My agreement or disagreement is immaterial. My observation is that if it looks like a duck, and walks like a duck (one with dementia at that), and quacks like a duck, it's a duck. Or in the fat orange Nazi's case, it's a Nazi. To wit:
-Dehumanizing Rhetoric and Language:
-The "Enemy from Within" Motif
-"Blood and Soil" Nationalism
-Authoritarian Leadership Style
-Scapegoating and Populist Mobilization
-Attacks on Democratic Institutions and Media
-Stab-in-the-Back" Narrative
-Rallies and Populist Performance
Q.E.D.
LOL at people thinking the passenger was some sort of "Trumper" as if a large MAGA continguent is flying from SEA to TPE. More than likely he was Asian, and if you think the supposed hatred for blacks is America is bad, then try going to that part of the world where you'll see what true racism is.
As for the flight attendent......conflict resolution is not a strong suit for certain groups, so I can't say I'm surprised. More than likely they should have both been kicked off the flight.
Power trip, you say?
This black male FA was called a N*gger to his face at his place of work. And threatened with bodily harm.
You tell me you'd be calm in the face of such illegal, racist vitriol.
Terrible. The schedule is for a 4:55 pm departure and 9:05 pm arrival TPE. If on time, that's a good schedule because hotel rooms are ready, transit is not crowded but still running, traffic is less. If it's late, like 11 pm, then it can affect the next morning's plans.
Actual flight time:
departed SEA 5:11 pm
diverted to ANC
departed ANC 10:44 pm (was re-timed to depart at 9:30 pm but didn't make it)
arrived TPE 00:21 am
The MRT might have stopped service by then, don't know.
Arrival into the hotel and into bed might be by 3 am. Ugh. If you want hotel breakfast, maybe you have to get there by 9:45 am, meaning only 6.5 hours of sleep and rushing to get downstairs.
Delta's schedule to TPE is great compared to the 5 am arrivals by many flights. However, the departure from TPE to the US is often too early in the am compared to EVA, China Airlines, Starlux.
There are so many ways to get to Taipei, and even more really good reasons to go there. It warms my heart to think of Taiwan. but somehow, with all that thinking, Delta never pops into my head. Ever. But it's a comfort to think that they're taking out the trash for me so my EVA flight will be relatively MAGA-free.
TravelinWilly, of course, Trump is not literally a WWII-era German NAZI; but, he is a (white supremacist) nationalist, and is acting pretty socialist-y (for the benefit of himself and the ultra-rich; like, forcing American companies to sell his government 'golden shares' like that 10% from Intel); so, he's more of a nationalist socialist... *facepalm*
Usually not a big fan of cabin crews because they are usually on power trip. But I also wonder how it feels like being called with the n word as a black person... Even at the work place something is hard to tolerate...I really hope people learn how to respect each other and keep a peaceful life ...
I read the comments to get an idea what happened. I do not read any of the political bullshit people need to share. This site is about travel not some chest thumping political nonsense.
If you ever work with black men...n word is thrown out every 2 minutes. What word are black people not allowed to say?
Thank you..so tired of political rants. Nobody will ever read a post and switch their sides.
I had picked up from the witness' comments that the pax was being unpleasant in the boarding area. Perhaps pre-departure beverages were indulged in.
Also, as a former Flight Attendant, people react to alcohol in different ways; 1 person will be "just fine" until the second service and 30 minutes later very much not. It is harder to judge than one might think. Your point is still quite valid.
I was MIA based Pan Am F/A in the mid 80's. Back then we had of course guests who copped an attitude, or were just in an ugly mood for a variety of reasons that were never known to we crew. What I do not ever remember were racist comments of deeply hateful comments made to crew or other passengers. It was a different world I guess.
What’s up with defending Nazi-like behavior? And why so sensitive to the term?
If I witness someone saying and doing blatantly racist things (N-word, generalized disparaging comments about groups), I feel OK in labeling them a racist. It isn’t really an opinion, but rather a conclusion based on observation. I don’t think that a true racist person has to exhibit every imaginable racist trait to be considered racist.
DJT is, based on observation, a racist. And while he certainly appears to embrace a host of Nazi beliefs and traits, it may not be accurate for him to be called a Nazi (because that’s a term for a political party.) That said, calling him a Nazi is more accurate than calling him a Republican or an American.
The passenger should be punished by law enforcement and banned by Delta. The FA should get de-escalation training. And an apology from the a-hole passenger.
Yet you brought in dementia. That was your losing card. The world laughed at the USA for having a President with dementia. Then Trump was reelected.
Why is that racists always side with the racist when the racist is saying and doing racist things? It's simple, because he/she is also a racist. We're tired of you blaming the victim as they blame a woman or child that's been rap*d. That seems to be the standard MAGA, Christian nationalist, white supremacist, zionist way of doing things. We see you and it's pretty boring. Your "honey who are you going to believe, me or your lying eyes" doesn't work any more.
Because Taiwanese carriers continue flying to Southeast Asia for their VIP customers, then bringing them to TPE for North America destinations departing around midnight.
Just so you know you can be democratically elected and also be a nazi. You do realize your hero Uncle Adolf in germany was democratically elected just like Uncle Imbecile Orange Clown who is democratically elected but still a nazi.
Power trip I say and still insist.
What you describe is NOT a level 3 threat.
Same reason you don't get chased by armed SWAT team and helicopters for jumping a STOP sign.
I never said anyone should remain calm. However, a true customer facing professional could possibly de escalate the situation better.
Because it is still NOT a level 3 threat.
Running out of BS angles to fluff Delta out of this mess.
But you can expect the biggest in SEA somewhere in his response.
Drop the moron off in AS and let him get where he wants to go other than flying.
Trumpo was NOT elected by majority of people in the US!! Many registered voters did not vote for Ms Harris thinking Trumpo had no chance of winning. Check your wording. Many nonvoters, trumps corrupt polls and that outdated college electoral BS.
BTW ... ICE = gestapo!
I am sensitive to the term because the left has used this term repeatedly for people they don't agree with, going back to George W. Bush. He was called a Nazi as well because the radical left didn't like his policies.
We do not have concentration camps, people wearing triangles on their shirt, or people being relocated to ghettos. That is why I object to the Nazi term.
In terms of racist, again this is another overused term by the left for people they don't agree with. The left is trying to create a progressive/racist binary, where you are either far left or by default a racist.
Finally, the Democrats have no one but themselves to blame for Trump being elected. The so called party of democracy kicked Biden off the ballot (after 14m people voted for him) and then designating the most unpopular VP in history as his replacement with no party vote whatsoever.
I do agree with your last paragraph though
Are you so isolated in your privilege that you fail to recognize that the FA was rude? Are you so entitled that you had such little respect for passengers?
Why do you write these worthless articles?
Ben your blog is so past it’s time, it should end for the best. Go back to your first class Lufthansa seat and eat your fish.
They cannot say sopkp.
The n word is their word.
They can say and use how they want
In the philippines, sopko means ‘man who breathes life into rat turd’.
Yes yes and more yes!
EVA is awesome! I have done Taipei to Houston. Taipei to Dallas. Taipei to Seattle!
Trump is a White Nationalist with a 50 year documented history of racial prejudice and bigotry. Full stop.
MAGA mouth breathers just own up to it. He’s yuh boy.
Jim, show us you’re another low education, low information MAGA mouth breather without telling us
The passenger is a jerk, and his use of the "N" word is certainly offensive and not something I support. However, his racist vitriol - no matter how offensive - is not "illegal." On the other hand, had the flight attendant been subjected to a racial slur or harrassment based on race by an employee of the airline, that very well could be deemed unlawful and form the basis for a lawsuit (but not criminal charges).
Maybe we have other factors in play. TSA irritations, seating with no leg room or too narrow, awful food, serving alcohol at high altitude to passenger that had to kill time at the airport's bar due to delays, poor luggage handling from previous connection, finding out you paid twice as much as your seat mate, rarefied air, et al. This is the recipe for taking it out in a confined space at the first annoyance. FWIW, I try ti never fly a US airline. Luthansa, Swiss or Air France,
This person was probably connecting to the Philippines or Thailand. China airlines is a Skyteam partner with Delta.
Also the person asking about the lavatory being empty shows this person is a novice traveler.
He is a LBH (lower back home) as they are called on White Lotus.
Trump hosts same-sex wedding at his Florida estate. He lived most of his life on the island of Manhattan. The man is a lot of things, but a virulent homophobe is not one of them. Protecting vulnerable minors from predatory therapists who peddle entirely unproven snake-oil “treatments” for their psychological distress is not transphobic, either.
To anyone outside the United States, the Electoral College appears to be an absolutely laughable, anti-democratic anachronism that has long since passed its use-by date. Maybe it’s time you yanks had a serious national conversation about consigning it to the dustbin of history where it belongs? Oh, that’s right, your government can’t even stop bickering long enough to free-up the money to pay your airport security crews, so I guess the really important stuff is a fantastical pipe-dream.
This site is losing track of why we read it.
1. Too much continued politics blaming everything on Trump
2. Too long winded. Passenger misbehaves, FA gets involved, escalates, flight rerouted and passenger arrested. Flight continues. 3 hours late arriving. Several paragraphs and done.
3. Outcome when all facts known and any punishments would be appropriate.
4. Get back to when the 777X will fly 😉
The maga passenger- we all know what skin-color he was, only white americans act out in this violent, entitled fashion in areas where controlled public behavior is required- should be not just banned from Delta but put on the US no-fly list.
Let him take a boat next time.
Dittto for "no-fly list" . Pax did not allow FA to "eat his meat" peacefully in the galley .
As an airline professional, I am being paid for my skill, judgment and professionalism. I would like to think I could hold onto the last in the face of truly atrocious behavior. But as Ben as well as other bloggers have pointed out, pax bad behavior seems to be increasing in level and occurrences and fewer are seeing any real consequences. I can see how Cabin Crews might take it upon themselves more and more to effect consequences on these a$$hats.
For those of you decrying that Ben’s blog is past its prime or needs to steer away from posts like this, why are you still reading it? Better yet, why aren’t you starting your own?! Do you really think we don’t see you for who you are? Yes you, you closet MAGA apologists.
Finally, for all you not-closeted, raging proud racists who proclaim how hurtful it is to be called a racist or try to brush off hurtful speech as NBD, I’d like to remind you of the collective gasp, pearl-clutching and outrage from every bass-ackward, hick town when you were called deplorables.
We have an election system. He won twice. I've become very disillusioned by the man because he's not doing what he said he would do. Arrest corrupt Deep State actors, withdrawal us from all military conflicts and enforce immigration, including E Verify. He's done none too little.
But he's not a Nazi. He's most certainly not a King. I don't suffer from TDS. Not everything in life including an Asian man calling a black flight attendant the "n" word is somehow related to Trump. Grow up people.
It literally said in the article the guy was white. Did you flunk out of the Derek Zoolander Center for Kids Who Can't Read Good (and Who Wanna Learn to Do Other Stuff Good Too)?
The problem is that the US closed all the mental institutions in the 1970s and now everyone has to deal with these people everywhere.
Why is the sale of alcohol even allowed in the airports? Seems like every time I read about an unruly passenger it's involving alcohol.
Piss off, white trash loser and trumptard. Don’t pass your racism on the Asians. They are too polite to act like that
Tim only shows up when he wants to pontificate about Delta's superiority as the worlds only perfect airline.
We know the passenger with white because the writer didn’t mention it or even dog whistle as they usually do on this site.
I thought pass showing signs of excessive alcohol on the ground are refused boarding an aircraft.
Once at cruise level 8000ft (pressurised cabin) alcohol is a well-known factor in "air rage" incidents often because it lowers inhibitions and impairs judgment. Cabin hypoxia can compound this by further reducing emotional control and increasing irritability — exactly the conditions that can turn mild drunkenness into arguments, defiance of crew, or aggression toward others.7117da733f42
Dehydration (very common in dry cabin air) and fatigue from travel make it worse too. So if someone is only mildly drunk on the ground, the 8,000-ft environment can push them over into noticeably worse behavior than they'd show at sea level.