AdvertisementFrontier Airlines suspended a crew member for violating proper policies. They duct-tapped a hostile passenger to their seat. However, the airline appears to have reversed its disciplinary actions after social media users and union members deemed the crew's actions reasonable.ABC 6 reports that Maxwell Berry, 22, a Norwalk, Ohio resident, assaulted a male flight attendant while he was onboard a flight between Philadelphia and Miami. He also allegedly groped two female flight attendants. According to a police report, Berry had consumed two drinks and then brushed his empty cup against the back of a female flight attendant. He also spilled a drink onto his shirt before returning shirtless. Berry walked around for fifteen minutes, before an attendant helped him get another shirt out of his carry-on baggage.Berry was restrained by his fellow passengers after a fight. Although the ABC 6 report does not mention who duct-taped Berry to his seat, the improvised shackles seem to have worked. Berry was reportedly in his seat until landing. Police then arrested him for three counts of battery, and took him to Miami-Dade County Jail.ABC reporter Sam Sweeney tweeted footage of Berry, an unruly passenger. He was ranting about his parents' wealth, claiming that he has two million dollars. Then, a man wearing an airline employee badge restrained him. The man tapes Berry to his seat, before adjusting his mask (which the passenger had pulled up throughout the incident). Berry can be heard being jeered at by other passengers who have apparently had more antagonism than one flight.Frontier stated that the correct policies to restrain a passenger weren't followed. The flight attendants involved were suspended while further investigations are conducted.AdvertisementThe airline changed its mind after the backlash of the Association of Flight Attendants (which represents flight attendants) and the viral video on social media sites such as Facebook and Twitter.Frontier Airlines continues to show respect and concern for all flight attendants, even those who were attacked on the flight. Local 10 was also informed Tuesday by the airline. We support these team members and work with law enforcement to fully support prosecution of the person involved. Inflight crew members are currently on paid leave in accordance with this type of event pending an investigation.AdvertisementThis is not the first instance of a duct-taped passenger over the past few weeks. The Washington Post reports that American Airlines staff intervened physically to stop a mentally disturbed woman who attempted to open the outer doors of the jetliners after takeoff. She then used tape to keep her in her seat. American Airlines stated to the Post that it [applauded] the professionalism of its crew and their quick efforts to protect passengers on the flight, but did not clarify whether this ad-hoc method was allowed by its policies.Airlines reported significantly higher rates of disruption in flight during the novel coronavirus epidemic. This includes everything from passengers forcing jets to return home to their terminals to physical assaults on staff. Many incidents involved passengers refusing to wear masks on commercial flights.AdvertisementOn August 1, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), released updated numbers showing that 3,715 incidents were reported by passengers in 2021. Some 2,729 of these incidents were related to mask mandates. This is despite the fact that there are zero tolerance policies in place, which the FAA has cited as a reason to punish such passengers with huge fines in excess of any criminal charges. The Washington Post reports that while disruptive passengers might be banned from any airline, they may also face removal immediately. However, airlines do not share information about disruptive fliers, and it can take many years for any prosecutions to resolve.The Post stated that closing a case might require involvement by airline employees, FAA inspectors, lawyers, Transportation Department judges and local authorities. The Post noted that airlines have not had much success in obtaining restitution from passengers who were nuisance passengers. Prosecutors can be very selective about which incidents they will pursue.AdvertisementAccording to the Chicago Sun-Times, a survey by the Association of Flight Attendants revealed that at least 85% of flight attendants had dealt with unruly passengers in the past year. A minimum of 17% reported that they witnessed a physical confrontation. Respondents cited alcohol as the leading cause, followed closely by flight delays and alcohol.The union spokeswoman Paul Hartshorn told the Post that what they were actually seeing was an increase in hostility towards the aircraft. It is just dangerous.
