Safety Or Spite

The list of 'things one must not say in the airport' has been expanded it seems. A US Airways flight leaving Des Moines was delayed due to the flight crew getting in late and being required to have a 2 hour break before flying again. After the delay, while boarding, a passenger made a joking comment asking if the flight crew had been out late partying. The flight was then delayed an additional hour and a half and the passengers deplaned so the crew could be drug tested. Also, when the flight finally did re board and take off the man who made the remark was not allowed back on the plane. All this in the name of safety. Really? Sounds more like vindictive spite to me.
     Posted By: Alex - Mon Jul 02, 2012
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Comments
Oh boy, better not offend anyone on the flight crew or you will get kicked off and the rest of the passengers will be penalized for your smartassery! It is getting a bit out of hand by now I think.
Posted by Patty in Ohio, USA on 07/02/12 at 11:50 PM
I can't much blame the flight crew as much as the airline... The flight crew used the guy as a scapegoat sure, but a stupid joke taken so seriously is a bit harsh, plus the flight crew had a full day the previous day and came in two hours late plus it seems that that day was gonna end up even worse... Not justified if they did it out of spite, but understandable that they'd be pissed and wanting to do something... plus, would you really want to be on the same flight as an entire flight crew who is universally pissed at you?
Posted by Fluffy Bunny Slippers on 07/03/12 at 12:56 AM
Good point, FBS. Oh, I'm *sorry*, Sir, I can't imagine how I managed to spill that coffee in your lap! And if you'll just lean back, the 5yo next to you wants another Coke.

In these days of finding pilots FUI, I can understand them doing the drug test, although I'd have thought a breathalyzer would have sufficed.

Joking about security isn't a good idea, especially now that the TSA and the FAA have their Little Hitler thing going on. We were flying El Al back to the UK once, many, many moons ago, and as we were going through the baggage search, the guy behind us said something about how they'd better search our bags properly, just in case. Well, they did do another quick riffle through our suitcase, but they *really* looked at him, and took him off to a side room. He didn't make the flight.
Posted by TheCannyScot in Atlanta, GA on 07/03/12 at 08:23 AM
TSA = Thousands Standing Around...
Posted by Wayne on 07/03/12 at 12:57 PM
I've not been impressed with USeless Airways after two flights with my bag delayed each time at Philadelphia. Two to three hours doesn't seem to be enough time to get bags from plane to plane.
Posted by KDP on 07/03/12 at 03:55 PM
Don't know the airline well, but some elements of this story are unclear. The comment-maker is never identified, nor is there any confirmation that he was kept off the plane when it departed. Don't get me wrong -- this may well have been an over-reaction to a joke. But don't blame the crew. I doubt they were any happier about the extra delay than the passengers were. And we all know that if a serious problem were to occur after the slightest hint that any of the crew was impaired, the lawyers would be climbing all over the airline for not following this protocol.
Posted by Frank H on 07/03/12 at 05:15 PM
I REFUSE to fly any American carrier! Nor will I do more than fly out of the US, never from city to city! If/When they start providing serious security instead of harassment I'll reconsider.
Posted by Expat47 in Athens, Greece on 07/04/12 at 12:13 AM
I also refuse to fly any American carriers. This is an especially easy decision as I long ago decided to be born in Canada.
Posted by kingmonkey in Athens, Ontario on 07/05/12 at 07:33 AM
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