A man desperate to use an airliner’s toilet after eating something bad in Honduras faces a US federal charge after allegedly twisting a flight attendant’s arm to get to the cubicle, the FBI says.
Joao Correa, 43, told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution he had a bathroom emergency 30 minutes into a March 28 Delta Air Lines flight from Honduras to Atlanta, but found the aisle on the Boeing 737 blocked by a beverage cart.
He said he asked if he could use the lavatory in business class, but was told no.
Transportation Security Administration policy requires passengers on international flights to use the restroom in their seating class.
When the cart wasn’t moved after a few minutes, Correa said, he ran for the business class lavatory. He said the flight attendant put up her arm to block him, and he grabbed it to keep his balance.
A Delta flight attendant said Correa grabbed her right arm, pulled it down and twisted it, according to authorities.
The man was arrested after the plane landed in Atlanta after a three-hour flight and Correa was held for two days in jail, authorities said.
He was charged with interference with a flight crew, said Gregory Jones, head of the FBI in Atlanta, and released on bond after appearing before a US magistrate.
Source: Sydney Morning Herald
By: PMN - 12th April 2009 at 01:09
Overall, IMHO it’s the law that’s at fault, rather than any of the people. Although, heaven forbid that common sense could have prevailed.
I don’t think it’s possible to say anything more sensible regarding this particular incident than these two sentences. 🙂
Paul
By: OneLeft - 11th April 2009 at 21:50
Difficult one to call really. You have to remember that this was in the US where people and law are (with respect to that side of the pond) rather more reactionary than here in Europe and elsewhere.
The crew absolutely were 100% wrong not to move the cart for the guy. It really winds me up if I ever see colleagues keeping someone waiting behind a cart.
Having said that, rightly or wrongly (or indeed rediculously) US law states that you may only use toilet compartments in the cabin you are travelling in, so on that basis he did attempt to break the law. There is also no excuse EVER for physically or verbally abusing someone, if indeed he did.
Overall, IMHO it’s the law that’s at fault, rather than any of the people. Although, heaven forbid that common sense could have prevailed.
1L.
By: UPSMD11f - 11th April 2009 at 15:24
A situation like that causes different emotions maybe the guy had other things on his mind so was his reaction OTT? We all know what airlines are like these days you only have to look at someone in a funny way and they have you arrested.I’m 100% behind him on this,I have a kidney illness and was always allowed to use the toilet in school without asking,the 1st time a teacher tried to stop me i threatened to stand on his desk and do it on him.He was then issued with a letter from the hospital saying that if this happened again legal action would be taken as it is putting someones health at risk.The FA is out of order.
By: PMN - 11th April 2009 at 12:43
seems to exhibit the flightcrew’s contempt for their passengers to me!
I couldn’t agree more. Isn’t it wonderful to pay for a service and get treat like dirt? Going on what we’ve been told, the guy’s reaction was a little over the top and didn’t really help, but the member of cabin crew didn’t help the situation either. Is it really such a problem to use the business class toilet if it’s desperate? I rather think not.
Paul
By: abutcher1985 - 11th April 2009 at 08:36
seems to exhibit the flightcrew’s contempt for their passengers to me!
By: bloodnok - 11th April 2009 at 08:23
I’m with the passenger on this one. To suddenly need the toilet but not to be able to get to it is probably the worst feeling in the world! 🙁
Id have thought the wort feeling in the world is to suddenly need the toilet, but no making it in time! 😀
By: T5 - 11th April 2009 at 06:44
I’m with the passenger on this one. To suddenly need the toilet but not to be able to get to it is probably the worst feeling in the world! 🙁
Sign In
April 10, 2009 at 11:51 pm