January 8, 2008
Craziest airline stories of 2007
2007 may well be remembered as one of the worst years for airline delays as well as the year of record high oil prices. But there were also some rather odd and humorous stories from the aviation world. At least, they seem humorous now – they may not have seemed so funny at the time.
Approximately twenty passengers argued and fought with each other aboard a flight from Nigeria to London in June. It all started when a passenger didn’t like the person in front reclining their seat and making it difficult for him to eat and sleep. The situation was so bad, the captain had to make an emergency landing.
A British Airways flight from Delhi to London was delayed for 13 hours after the pilot complained about not getting enough sleep in his noisy hotel room.
A 19 month old baby was kicked off a flight for being deemed a security threat after saying “Bye-bye airplane” The baby may have been the only person to actually pay attention to the safety demonstration.
A man in his 60s was admitted to hospital in Germany after drinking an entire liter of vodka, rather than having it confiscated at security. Perhaps nobody had told him about the carry on liquid rule.
Officials in Sioux City, Iowa gave up trying to change the airport’s rather unappealing three letter code of SUX http://www.travel-plan-idea.com/archives/004158.html and decided to make the best of it – the slogan “Fly Sux” was born.
Southwest Airlines had a couple of well-publicized incidents in which passengers were almost kicked off their flights for wearing clothes that were described as being too provocative. If you are wondering what that means, here’s a picture!
A squirrel that had somehow stowed away on an American Airlines flight from Tokyo to Dallas caused the plane to make an emergency landing in Hawaii. The critter was caught and killed - and didn’t even get any frequent flyer miles.
And perhaps the two most disturbing stories of 2007? The case of the coughing girl who was evicted from her flight and the case of the dead body that a passenger discovered occupying the adjoining seat. http://www.travel-plan-idea.com/archives/003966.html - Fortunately these incidents were not both on the same flight.
Most of my flights seem routine compared to these stories! Happy New Year!
Guest entry by Mancunian
Posted by James Trotta at January 8, 2008 7:24 PM | TrackBack
I actually did have a psycho woman & her psycho significant other sitting behind me on a flight a few months ago from Philadelphia, PA to Frankfurt, Germany.
About 4 hours into the flight, I decided I would go to sleep & tilted my seat back. The people behind me started shaking & kicking my seat. The woman then stood up and yelled at me for tilting my seat back as she was 'tall' (but she only looked to be about 5'7", so she wasn't that tall). I was only about half awake & stated that "I have the right to put my seat back" and let her continue to yell as I went back to sleep. I do find it strange that despite the woman's obnoxious behavior, I never did see an airline staff member.
Needless to say this was the first time in 20+ years of flying that I've ever had an experience like that & hopefully it will be the last.
Posted by: Amanda at January 10, 2008 9:39 AMYou won't believe this but I put my Visa caed in a pocket or somewhere. Dang I hate when that happens!
Posted by: Kim at January 10, 2008 11:10 AMI was flying from Las Vegas to Detroit and it was quite windy, the pilot said he had to wait for the wind to calm down. The woman wined like Fran
Dressure,"Ohhh I hope we don't crash." Then got a piece of gun and was popping and cracking it in the most annoing way. After the snacks, I offered the couple next to me a piece of gum, he said only if I can crack it like she does. It was a loooong flite.
I would like to reply to Amanda. My husband who is 6'4" and I travel often and it never fails that the people in front of us will tilt their chairs all the way back. My husband actually was injured to his knees when one person suddenly put their chair back. We try to be considerate of the people behind us and if we do tilt our chairs it is only a small tilt. You know there isn't much room on those planes to begin with. I think they should fix them to where they don't tilt at all, then everyone will have more room. I won't get up and throw a fit like that one woman did but you can better believe I am cursing the person in front of me under my breath all the way. This world would be a lot better off if people were just a little more considerate of the people around them.
Posted by: Anita at January 11, 2008 10:39 PMAnita, I am over 6 feet tall. So are a lot of other people.... millions who fly every day. Everyone has the right to put their seat back in a full recline (which is only like 3 inches anyway). It comes with the plane fare... it is paid for by the traveler. If you want more room, upgrade to first class. That is the proper action. If you don't, realize that everyone will recline their seats and that is part of life.
good luck.
Posted by: anon at January 17, 2008 3:31 PM