No Whining - Other Pax May Kill You.

[Princess Di]

http://www.thetravelinsider.info/blogs/ti/archives/2005/03/frequent_flier.html

 

March 21, 2005

 

Frequent flier complains about service so other passengers kill him

 

Breaking reports this morning tell the story of William Lee, a 48 yr old frequent flier, regular church-goer, and apparently family man who complained about poor service on his AA flight from LAX to JFK.

 

Seven other passengers restrained Mr Lee, who is an asthmatic. He complained of difficulty breathing while being held down on the rear galley floor, and died a short while later... (more)

 

Mr Lee is described as having been variously belligerent, disruptive, and agitated. He had asked for a beer an hour or so before landing, and was told to sit down and wait, and then told that he wouldn't be given any more to drink (he had apparently earlier had a couple of beers and a vodka during the five hour flight, something which an airline spokesman described as not an issue).

 

He refused to sit down and moved into the aisle, pushing past a flight attendant, and saying he was going to complain to someone more senior. This caused seven passengers, who are thought to be members of possibly an Australian or New Zealand rugby team (and no information has been disclosed about how much they were drinking) to decide that Mr Lee may be a terrorist trying to make his way to break into the cockpit, or so a TSA spokeswoman would have us believe. With the help of flight attendants, these seven vigilantes overpowered Mr Lee, restrained him with plastic handcuffs, and subsequently took him to the rear galley and held him on his back.

 

After the plane landed and all other passengers had exited, Port Authority police boarded and 'discovered he was unconscious'. Mr Lee subsequently died at Jamaica Hospital. Autopsy reports are currently inconclusive.

[booth22]

It's not his complaining that got him killed, it was his stupidity for not listening. Don't get me wrong, it really is sad that he died because of this incident. Unfortunately if he remained seated like he was told this wouldn't have happened. Speak to a supervisor after the plane lands. Alcohol sure makes people do some stupid things. Especially in post 9-11 times, why would you push past a flight attendant and not remain seated? I don't blame the folks for restraining him, I would probably try to help the flight attendants if I could too... what a tragedy..

[enymarsh]

Wow,

I loved reading all the linked reports...can't wait to see how this unfolds. Sounds like the airline doesn't want the responsibility of him falling into unconsciousness while onboard their plane and is dumping it on the Port Authority people instead. Or maybe they're both hoping it will be decided that he just fell unconscious while in the ambulance! Meanwhile it doesn't sound like any of the parties involved are trying to help this family deal with their tragedy.

[Nliedel]

Alcohol at higher altitudes affects you faster. It's why airlines deny boarding to drunk people.

[cherylandtk]

It was the failure to follow flight crew instructions that killed him.

 

On the other hand, perhaps we should once again allow the ship captain to force whining and complaining passengers to walk the plank. Bet we could find more than seven willing co-passengers to help those cranky complainers find their way up on the plank.

[DCT61]

SORRY...I withdrew my comment (im so ashamed)

[Dreamer333]

That poor man!

 

His poor family! :(

[Princess Di]

Some pax may CELEBRATE this way. ;)