American Airlines Flight From San Jose Diverted to Phoenix Over Unruly Passenger

[Hatu]

The flight was diverted at around 1 p.m. and responding Phoenix police at Sky Harbor International Airport were told that a 26-year-old passenger who appeared to had been intoxicated was disruptive and had to be restrained.

Get this though:

The disruptive passenger was sent to a local hotel with plans to catch a flight on Wednesday because the airline did not want the person to be prosecuted, Phoenix police said.

WTF?

http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/American-Airlines-Flight-From-San-Jose-Diverted-to-Phoenix-Over-Unruly-Passenger-334810271.html

 

[jimntx]

Because if the passenger has witnesses willing to testify that AA flight attendants served him too much alcohol or served him at all when he was in a visibly drunken state, then the airline and the flight attendants are in violation of Federal law and subject to fines.  Also, the airline would be liable for damages incurred.
 
(Or, the passenger may be a relative of someone at Centerport.  )

 

[UPNAWAY]

Happens almost daily and the Feds/Police almost never persue charges or fines.

 

[FWAAA]

Because if the passenger has witnesses willing to testify that AA flight attendants served him too much alcohol or served him at all when he was in a visibly drunken state, then the airline and the flight attendants are in violation of Federal law and subject to fines.  Also, the airline would be liable for damages incurred.
 
(Or, the passenger may be a relative of someone at Centerport.  )

That's what I was thinking when I read that at least one passenger/witness said he was very intoxicated when he boarded. Not enough time to get that way between SJC and PHX with airline-supplied drinks, so either he was already plastered when he boarded or the FAs looked the other way while he guzzled booze from his own flasks. Either way, that's not good for AA. Could be some "Career Decision" type meetings in the future for the employees involved.

Or he might have a guardian angel in the executive suite. Too young to be one of those TWU-officials who act up on flights, as they're much older.
 

Happens almost daily and the Feds/Police almost never persue charges or fines.

I give Jim's answer an A and you get a C- because the article clearly said that AA did not want the guy to be prosecuted, so while your post might be accurate, it ain't relevant.

 

[jimntx]

"happens almost daily and the Feds/Police almost never persue charges or fines"
 
No, but the fact that it almost never results in fines, etc is no consolation to me.  If it happened to you, you would probably not be so laid back about everything.  And, IIRC, there was a case several years ago where someone who got drunk on a plane, had a car accident afterward, and both the airline and the flight attendant(s) were sued.  Whether the plaintiff won anything or not if you were a flight attendant and got sued personally for overserving a passenger, do you think for one minute that the company is going to pay your legal bills?  If so, I've got a nice bridge in the New York area to sell you.

 

[strangiatotheme]

"happens almost daily and the Feds/Police almost never persue charges or fines"
 
No, but the fact that it almost never results in fines, etc is no consolation to me.  If it happened to you, you would probably not be so laid back about everything.  And, IIRC, there was a case several years ago where someone who got drunk on a plane, had a car accident afterward, and both the airline and the flight attendant(s) were sued.  Whether the plaintiff won anything or not if you were a flight attendant and got sued personally for overserving a passenger, do you think for one minute that the company is going to pay your legal bills?  If so, I've got a nice bridge in the New York area to sell you.

Wasn't that the whole reason why US was denied a liquor license in New Mexico?

 

[UPNAWAY]

Plenty of unruly passengers on the planes have had nothing to drink. I also think the vast majority that do, get drunk before boarding not on the plane. In this case the airline might not wanted to pursue it for the reason all have speculated, but I think they and the authorities should in most cases. Every diversion cost tens of thousands of dollars not to mention the inconvenience and delays for the fellow passengers. And they seem to be increasing as general societal behavior seems to be slipping. My point about this happening pretty much every day in the US is just that, it is very common..no other commentary implied.

 

[nycbusdriver]

Happens almost daily and the Feds/Police almost never persue charges or fines.

 
Perhaps that's why it continues to happen almost daily?