QF21 Diverted to Tahiti due to Unruly Passenger

[offshore171]

The most problematic people are unlikely to benefit or respond to a reminder. Meanwhile others will just feel patronised.

This exactly. It insults the decent customers who would never dream of pulling a stunt like this.

Meanwhile, as you point out, the problematic neanderthals will be completely oblivious to the message.

 

[SeatBackForward]

Airlines don't do enough to promote the consequences of these actions - as a warning to anyone thinking of doing it beforehand. Being told you'd have to pay for the diversion of an aircraft AND all the other costs associated with delaying a plane with hundreds of passengers is a pretty sobering reality.

But then again, you can't reason someone out of a position they didn't reason themselves into.

 

[LondonAussie]

As a former bar manager in my younger days, my thoughts whenever I read about incidents like this are always why wasn’t there an opportunity to descalate or mitigate prior, or even identify that there’s someone we need to watch a bit closely, usually offering them a free water or soft drink or some more food.

I suppose no one noticed him drinking or just how drunk he was until it were too late, but it’s always disappointing when the majority of these types of incidents would have been preventable if someone had intervened earlier. Including by the perpetrator themselves who should be somewhat aware of how alcohol affects them.

 

[markis10]

The Secretary of the FAA was on the radio 30 minutes ago and confirmed the person was not served alcohol on the plane and did not exhibit alcohol consumption symptoms at all. They were also ‘playing up for some two hours before flexicuffs were applied which did not subdue the offender.

 

[kerfuffle]

The Secretary of the FAA was on the radio 30 minutes ago and confirmed the person was not served alcohol on the plane and did not exhibit alcohol consumption symptoms at all. They were also ‘playing up for some two hours before flexicuffs were applied which did not subdue the offender.

So, meth?

 

[MEL_Traveller]

So, meth?

could be something like ambien or stilox, or other medication. Would account for the disorientation.

It doesn’t say whether the passenger was also a US citizen, but if they were only a NZ citizen then they haven’t been in trouble with the law for drug use… otherwise they wouldn’t have an ESTA or visa.

Dunno wether meth is likely to leave you so disorientated that you don’t know you’re on a plane. Sleeping pills or other meds might explain it.

 

[VHOEJ]

Honestly, he should be a on a no fly list for all airlines. If you can't handle travel and/or alcohol while travelling, don't.

 

[Quickstatus]

Sleeping pills or other meds might explain it.

reasonable.
I am still on the (relative) hypoxia as a potential contributor. Sleep apnoea possibility here. He went to sleep then woke up

I wonder if his only chance of leaving PPT is with NZ back home.

In any case I think the only way out by air) from PPT is either AKL or LAX/SFO
Could he still enter the US given what happened?

.....

Another View (instagram)

 

[Aeryn]

While he may have a NZ passport he may be an AU resident, like 100,000's of others

Sure but residency status doeent make Aus government responsible for him and any criminal conviction resulting can see him deported.

Realistically US likely to cancel Visa/ESTA if he has been charged with assault and as US doesnt have true transit, Air NZ his only likely commercial option and being an NZ citizen they have to let him return, although Air NZ do not have to fly him.

 

[markis10]

Air NZ his only likely commercial option

Air Tahiti Nui?

 

[Aeryn]

Air Tahiti Nui?

Will they accept such a trouble maker? If so likely to be on the AKL not SYD flight, suspect cops would be waiting at SYD if he is allowed back in.

Might have to fly in handcuffs and with police/guard escort.

 

[Quickstatus]

Might have to fly in handcuffs and with police/guard escort.

He may have sobered up by then.

residency status doeent make Aus government responsible for him

Technically no but the AusGuv have in the past evac back to Aus resident non citizens (though in this case there was no impediment to go to NZ)

 

[Rich]

Honestly, he should be a on a no fly list for all airlines. If you can't handle travel and/or alcohol while travelling, don't.

We don't know the full circumstances. The reaction to whatever it was that caused this may have been a complete surprise to the passenger.

 

[Aeryn]

He may have sobered up by then.

Doesnt change criminal status though, as others have observed he could just be a jerk or violent sob sober or not.

Technically no but the AusGuv have in the past evac back to Aus resident non citizens (though in this case there was no impediment to go to NZ)

Sure government can help like in the case of the NZ passenger from that infected cruise ship but less likely to show good will for a prat who chose to behave unreasonably and assaulted crew.

I hope in addtion to criminal charges that Qantas file civol charges go after any assets he has to recoup cost of the diversion, extra accomdation for pax who missed their connections etc.

 

[Rich]

Remove the threat ASAP, even when subdued in cable ties another 7 hours would likely increase the threat of a reoccurrence. There is also the obligation under law for both sides to minimise costs, his bill from Qantas will be a lot less as a result of their actions, but still eye watering.

Curious, why would his bill from QF be less with this diversion?

 

[Quickstatus]

criminal status

There is no criminal status unless convicted in a court. There is no indication he remains detained.

bill from QF

I understand your question is different.
What would be the invoice if any ?. There was no material delay to the aircraft as it could operate the return flight on time. I understand some passengers missed their connecting and were put up in a hotel . Perhaps the airline is going to say not worth pursuing.

 

[Mwenenzi]

Sure but residency status doesn’t make Aus government responsible for him and any criminal conviction resulting can see him deported.

Realistically US likely to cancel Visa/ESTA if he has been charged with assault and as US doesn’t have true transit, Air NZ his only likely commercial option and being an NZ citizen they have to let him return, although Air NZ do not have to fly him.

Air Tahiti Nui?

Several comments ~ wild assumptions by people who were not on the aircraft or have not seen a blood test results (in any).

In AU "any criminal conviction"is not grounds to for deportation of a permanent resident. Section 501 defines the grounds for deportation after criminal matters. That section 501 gets some career criminals sent back to NZ from AU

Same with USA entry by this individual. Noone here howw first hand his visa/passport entry situation. Or USA action taken, if any.

He has serval options to leave PPT by air to return to AU NZ.

Faaʼa International Airport - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

 

[Ansett Nostalgic]

Hope the Polynesian police can deal with him harshly

 

[Quickstatus]

I don't think we can assume that criminal charges are afoot in Tahiti. He may have been arrested but given the opportunity to just voluntarily leave.

 

[Aeryn]

Several comments ~ wild assumptions by people who were not on the aircraft or have not seen a blood test results (in any).

Blood test irrelevant, his actions speak for themselves, we have all seen the video. There is no acceptable excuse for carrying on like he did whether he was sober or under the influence of legal or illegal drugs.

It seriously CMO when people claim dimished capacity due to substances as they chose to take them. You reap what you sow.

The flight attendant who was bitten would be stupid not to file criminal assault charges.