I posted a few days ago about the email I received from my brother after he landed in FRA on LH. The email didn’t go into specifics, but here are some more details about his “experience.”
My mom and I were sitting in the first row of the F cabin on LH A340 from ORD – FRA. Maybe 1.5 hrs into the flight, a passenger in the second row began to play the drums on his tray table. By “playing the drums”, I don’t mean gently tapping the tray table with his fingers, I mean performing for a 100+ person audience with his hands, fists, palms and feet for the bass (I think that’s what it’s called on a drum set). I didn’t think much of it originally – perhaps he was
really getting into some of the tunes he was listening to. As the flight progressed, not only did he continue drumming, but the rhythm and noise intensified. Don’t get me wrong, he was a very good drummer. If I wasn’t trying to sleep, I may have enjoyed listening to him. Unfortunately, I was on a redeye.Several hours later, the passenger in the second row began to use the shoulder light on his seat as a stage light. First, he positioned it on himself, and then began to shine the light on the other passengers in our cabin. Let me reiterate this is LH in F while the entire cabin is trying to go to sleep.
When perhaps 1.5 hours remained on the flight, the passenger was getting tired just as a flight attendant asked me if I had witnessed the events of row two. Based on the FA, apparently the drummer was heavily intoxicated, but the crew ultimately decided not to intervene further. The FA did suggest, however, I write Lufthansa about my experience.
This is certainly one of the most bizarre (and hilarious in a sad way) stories I’ve read in a long time. I’m surprised the FA suggests he write Lufthansa. Does anyone with experience think they’d actually offer him some compensation?
Regardless, I figured many would get a kick out of this.
Quote: "FA explained that if I were on UA, the passenger would likely have been handcuffed and placed in the belly of the plane. LH is much stricter with how they can subdue unruly passengers (that may not necessarily pose a direct threat to the safety of the plane or the passengers)."
Looks like we finally found one reason to fly UA F vs. LH F.
As Ben's brother, I'll add a little bit more. Based on the FA, apparently the drummer was not only heavily intoxicated, but was likely on drugs (the FA told me the crew consulted an on-board doctor). The passenger also became aggressive and "hands on" when the female FA asked him (on several occasions) to stop. The cabin crew ultimately decided not to intervene with more drastic measure - the crew believed the passenger's response, givien...
As Ben's brother, I'll add a little bit more. Based on the FA, apparently the drummer was not only heavily intoxicated, but was likely on drugs (the FA told me the crew consulted an on-board doctor). The passenger also became aggressive and "hands on" when the female FA asked him (on several occasions) to stop. The cabin crew ultimately decided not to intervene with more drastic measure - the crew believed the passenger's response, givien his condition, could be much more severe than merely preventing the other F passengers from sleeping. Interestingly, the FA explained that if I were on UA, the passenger would likely have been handcuffed and placed in the belly of the plane. LH is much stricter with how they can subdue unruly passengers (that may not necessarily pose a direct threat to the safety of the plane or the passengers).
Why didn't the FA's make an effort to stop him?