Drunk American Airlines passenger grabs flight attendant's butt...in front of wife

by Jeffrey White on Jun 27th 2008 at 8:00AM

Can somebody out there please tell me what is with these people going crazy on flights?

The Associated Press reported another incident yesterday involving a passenger who got a little too hopped up on booze and proceded to grab a flight attendant's buttocks after throwing a bunch of ice at his fellow travelers.

The passenger's name is Jacob Kline, and he was traveling on an American Airlines flight from Dallas to Charlotte on Tuesday. Kline started drinking rum and cokes and quickly became disruptive. (After three. Kind of a light weight, huh?)

After flight attendants refused to top him up for a fourth time, Kline allegedly took his cup of ice and started throwing cubes around the cabin. He then got up, started swearing and tussled with a flight attendant until someone the AP describes as "very large in size" subdued him.

And get this: Kline was traveling with his wife and two children.

The pilot reportedly requested a rapid descent landing. Kline was arrested and charged with being intoxicated and a whole host of other things.

This happened about a week after a JetBlue passenger punched a flight attendant after she lit up a cigarette during a flight.

This latest incident will no doubt bolster the zany idea of a Denver group that is trying to petition the nation's airports to install special smoking sections for marijuana enthusiasts, thinking that if you allow passengers to get high there will be less of a chance that they will become disruptive on a flight.

Grant reported that story on Wednesday.

What strange things have been found on planes?

Click the image to read the bizarre story...

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 5)

Nick Hawkins Jun 27th 2008 10:56AM

I would rather have a plane full of stoners who will be generally laid back and hungry than amorous drunks.

eric Jun 27th 2008 4:27PM

that works for me imagine being high at at a few miles high,

themadtrader Jun 30th 2008 12:24PM

You would rather have hungry people on a plane?

Linda Giffen Jun 27th 2008 2:25PM

Ya think if they didn't serve booze on planes it might solve the problem of drunk passengers?

Barbara Jun 27th 2008 6:38PM

This incident was the exception, not the norm; why punish every passenger for what this jerk did? Most passengers doze off after the first drink, it works for me every time. This passenger should be banned from American Airlines.

Kyla Jun 27th 2008 7:50PM

They'll just get sloshed at the terminal before getting on. Personally, I think they need to remove alcohol from airport premises-plane and terminal- and not allow anyone who shows up drunk to board. If you simply cannot get on a plane and fly a couple of hours without booze, you probably have some kind of problem with alcohol.

Cathy Jul 7th 2008 1:20PM

Hi Linda,
No reason for someone to be hungry on a plane. We should eat before going to airport. I wonder if they are starting to charge $ for those little bags of peanuts now? I have heard they Are charging for sodas. What is next? Nice that the guy had enough $ to purchase the cocktails. Times are tight all around most of the persons I know. Hang in there, I liked your comment.
Cathy

fordf350va Jun 27th 2008 2:46PM

I quit flying in 1996, after learning that the CIA had disbanded its Human Intelligence Division. I knew, even then that something like the 911 disaster was going to happen. I've had to fly 4 times since then, and never liked it. This is why:

- Not safe. They have no idea who is on the plane now.

- Too stressful. And there is no reason to be that miserable, and worried.

- You must be completely disarmed to get on the damn plane. You have no way to defend yourself. And, I think that is more important after you get off the plane. Any thief in the airport knows that too.

Sorry, people, I do not fly.

Donna Jun 27th 2008 3:38PM

Being that you are a paranoid person, it is good that you don't fly. You might come apart during a flight. Thanks for using your head.

John Bruecker Jun 27th 2008 6:27PM

ARE YO AFRAID OF YOUR SHADOW TOO?

tjb Aug 14th 2008 1:16PM

ya i'm really glad YOU don't fly! You seem a little unstable yourself... thanks for staying on the ground.

Kent Jun 27th 2008 3:42PM

Behaviour of a man with an alchohol problem: an alchoholic. Best to have judge send him to rehab. Condolences to his wife and children.

JCorcoranSr Jun 27th 2008 3:57PM

At today's prices you ought to get something besides the ride... A real ride???

AB Jun 27th 2008 4:01PM

I am a retired FA and Inflight Supervisor - 30 years - it is a known fact that booze has a greater affect on the plane than on the ground. I stay away from flying now because of the human cargo today. People have simply returned to being the animals they are and there is very little class with the cheap seats today (mileage plus, etc). No respect for others, entitled children, inherited money that was not earned, etc. Even on the ground people have become ignorant of others around them. They use to be a few but simply look at the drivers on the road and you can see problems... Nobody cares about others today...

Gryffin Jun 27th 2008 8:39PM

"Human cargo"? When people are treated inhumanly, they tend to behave that way.

I have to fly quite often for work and happened to meet a stewardess who has been working flights for almost 40 years. Another passenger asked her how long she had been a flight attendance and she crisply replied that she's a stewardess, not a flight attendant.

She gave the BEST rendition of the safety speech I've ever heard, was polite and professional and everyone within my hearing addressed her as "ma'am" when she came by for refreshments.

When we're shuffled through chutes and stand in line for hours like so many cattle before even getting to the plane, it's nice to find someone who cares about your well being as a passenger and not just someone doing the bare minimum to make sure the flight goes smoothly. That's the difference between a steward/stewardess and a flight attendant.

That said, this man's behavior was beyond boorish and he should pay for his choices and actions.

Sarah Jun 27th 2008 4:16PM

Heck, most people sleep after a drink or two on the plane. This guy had other problems.

I think that airlines ought to be able to ban passengers like him for life. Or maybe make them travel as "cargo" -- cuz we sure don't want him driving on the highways with the rest of us!