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Irate first class passenger pulls emergency slide, leaves plane
There seems to be no shortage of stupid things passengers are doing on planes these days.The latest boneheaded move happened in Guyana this past Friday. A first class passenger on a Delta flight from New York to Guyana became so angry that economy passengers were exiting the plane before him that he activated the plane's emergency slide and used it to leave the plane.
The Associated Press, via MSNBC.com, is reporting that airport authorities in Guyana promptly arrested the man, who they described as intoxicated. The man posted bail and was released not long after the incident.
Delta says it intends to press charges against the man on the grounds that he obstructed the flight crew.
For those of you out there wondering how much of a hassle it is to repack the emergency slide, Gadling's resident flight attendant Heather Poole says it is a huge expense for an airline, which has to take the plane out of service. "It doesn't get fixed quick, that's for sure," she says.
Thanks, Ben, for tipping us off to the story!
Reader Comments (Page 4 of 6)
BILL G Jul 8th 2008 12:53AM
Sorry for the double post folks.
Mike Jul 15th 2008 1:35AM
fifty bucks says the guy was black.
iravmoore Jul 8th 2008 12:41AM
It is not courteous to stand in the middle of the aisle and let everyone in front of you get off. Some are just plain slow and unconcerned. If someone in front of you has their carryons in hand and are waiting, then by all means, let them enter the aisle. Many times after airline delays, some are in a time jam to make the next connection.
Kent Jul 8th 2008 1:05AM
This is one time the "No Fly-List" should be put to good use. What a jerk.
Steven Gilbert Jul 8th 2008 1:09AM
Spank his monkey and make him pay for every delay he unleashed, and then help him understand we all have to wait, no matter the class. The privilage of air travel let alone first class, will cut quick by banning him from flying. Now, as far as the airlines go, how about opening another door, say the tail exit and the starboard side too, I'm not afraid to walk down a ladder on the tarmac...but that would require someone to sheperd the mindless travelers who forgot how to negotiate stairs with a underpaid sub-human as opposed to a mindless, underpaid tunnel technician to watch us all shuffle our feet. Godfry Danials, and passengers think they'd escape an aircraft through emergency row exits when there is a real emergency? Hah!!! Tell that to the fat kid sitting in that row!
Mason Mack Jul 8th 2008 1:11AM
The people who agree with this man's actions are wealthy people who consider themselves more significant than the rest of us. Either that, or people who have never had to do any real work in their entire lives. Money knows no shame.
...and margaret (comment 15), what the hell are you talking about?
margaret Jul 8th 2008 5:26PM
Mason Mack
I would elaborate for you. . . but your question is so ambiguous I have no idea what you want to know.
John Jul 8th 2008 1:11AM
Good for him--these airlines deserve everything they get...
Mason Mack Jul 8th 2008 1:18AM
*sigh* ...and it continues.
gary Jul 8th 2008 1:21AM
Mike
An intelligent reply, and yes the airlines should stop a passenger from getting drunk. I fly frequently international and respect how hard a job flight crews have ithou having to deal with idiots.
John
You sound like you are related to king george. Being first class doesn't make you any better than anyone else. Learn some humility. You pay for first class for more comfort, nothing more. I have friends that are rich and poor, i never chose them to be friends because of how much they have in the bank or own.
Diane Jul 8th 2008 1:23AM
Not all slides are disengaged. On some a/c some are left permanently engaged, even at the gate. In some stations, for some wierd reason, sometimes, slides at certain locations are left engaged, usually for gate/ground emergency evacuation. It depends on the A/C.
Happily Retired 32year f/a
Susie Jul 8th 2008 1:36AM
Why didn't they show us a picture of the stupid idiot instead of the emergency exit--- we all know what the exit looks like but I'd sure like to see what that idiot looks like! Just imagine all of the guff that fruitcake would get for a long, long time, if only we had a picture of the jerk! I hope he gets a huge fine and lots of jail time!
Mario Jul 8th 2008 1:26AM
The dude was wrong for what he did however being intoxicated probably had much to do with his actions.
I agree with the irate passenger that his class seating should have been allowed to off-load first before Economy passengers.
MadisonShayanne Jul 8th 2008 1:57AM
Anyone ever think to take the alcohol off of planes and out of airports? Would get rid of some of the problems..
teeandjeanz Jul 8th 2008 1:33AM
Diann -- you are a piece of work. Pushy? I bet you bully waiters, waitresses, bartenders, housekeeping staffers in hotels, cabbies (no, they'd leave your ignorant ass on a curb). Get over yourself. Please. I pay for business class seats 90 per cent of the time. Pay for them. And I get what I pay for. The seat, the in-flight service, and the extra leg room. But I don't pay to get off the plane sooner than other folks do. But I'd gladly forget my manners and walk in front of you.
Carolyn Jul 8th 2008 1:32AM
UH, GARY< I think YOU should be banned from ever blogging again ! Who is now going to do an 'idiot check' at the airline terminals ??? LMAO !
teeandjeanz Jul 8th 2008 1:38AM
By the way, a friend of mine is a flight attendant who was demoted by her airline when she accidentally engaged the emergency chute. She wasn't fired, but she lost her senior status, which is a big deal for a FA.
Meme Jul 8th 2008 1:52AM
If people like that moron are in such a hurry, let them drive and not fly. Then he'd be out of his car FIRST. It's like people who post on some blogs and you see 37 people saying "first" - yeah, so what? You were there first..want a medal? I'd love to see that guy try to drive to Guyana! Lolol BUT ..he would indeed be the first passenger to exit, no one would be selling him booze and he'd have to bring his own (God help other drivers) and driving to Guyana - figuring out how to do that, would surely teach him, wouldn't it? Lol Mr First Class who thinks he is all that.. sheeshh ALSO..to the person in charge of this blog..RMOVE that post on page one from that Brad moron peddling his porn. OFF topic and offensive posts ARE supposed to be removed, aren't they? Well..I'm offended!
Susie Jul 8th 2008 1:52AM
I just came home from the airport in Seattle and I noticed a ton of Muslims working inside the airport. What are they thinking? Wasn't 9/11 a wake up call?! Remember Pearl Harbor? Were we not the sleeping giant who got caught with our pants down!!! And here we sit, again... What the "F" is our government thinking?! I'm sick of political correctness, we need to take care of us, the US, United States. I don't care what anybody thinks about racial profiling, that's tough, check every person who looks like a possibility.
I work for the state, if I can't put up my Nativity Scene then they shouldn't be able to wear their stupid scarves over their heads or their turbins, that is showing a religion--if we can't, they shouldn't either! Why are we bowing to a group of bastards that never belonged in this country in the first place... Our wars were not fought for their rights to show that they don't believe in God, they were fought for our rights to show our love and belief in Jesus Christ! Send all of them back to Islamland and lock the door behind them.
CHERI Jul 8th 2008 2:00AM
Thank You Tracie
I've also worked for a major airline for 14 years. This man endangered lives including his own. The slide is used in case of an emergency. This man getting off the plane because he thinks he's better than the "economy class"...is not an emergency. The point of the whole thing is no matter how a first class passenger pays for his ticket , if it is by miles, their company pays, or they pay cold hard cash for it, that doesnt make them better than everyone else. Having money doesnt make you special. You're just lucky!!!.....but remember money can be easily lost too. Someday you might find yourself sitting in coach. Get over yourselves!!!
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