Here’s something you don’t see every day: An Alaska Airlines/Horizon Air flight attendant repeatedly punching a drug- and alcohol-induced passenger multiple times in the face to get him to let go of a female passenger’s hair in front of him.
According to the FlyGuy’s Network: “A quick-thinking Alaska Airlines flight attendant stopped an assault aboard Flight 2221 as it prepared for takeoff in Oakland, California. The incident occurred when a male passenger, allegedly suffering a severe mental disturbance, exhibited erratic behavior and suddenly grabbed a female passenger’s hair. According to a witness, the man was apparently mixing alcohol with multiple medications before the attack.
“Acting swiftly, the flight attendant delivered forceful punches to the man, forcing him to release the terrified woman. The passenger was then restrained until police removed him from the Embraer E175 upon its return to the gate.
“The shaken flight attendant was unable to continue the journey, leading to the flight’s cancellation. Passengers were later rebooked.
“The victim, describing her fear, said, “Had I leaned forward, he could have pulled my hair out. I was afraid he was going to punch me in the head, and I am thankful for the flight attendant and others who stepped in to help.”
“Airline crew members undergo extensive training in conflict resolution and handling disruptive passengers, preparing them to respond swiftly in dangerous situations.
Authorities are investigating the incident.”
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While it’s unclear what triggered the attack, one woman on Facebook shared a possible, though controversial, explanation: “Maybe next time women with long hair shouldn’t let it go over the back of their seat, as it goes in front of the person behind you. And I’m speaking from experience. If he is autistic or has mental health problems, this of course would set him off.”
However, most comments praised the flight attendant for stepping in and called for the disruptive passenger to be banned from flying. “Kudos to the flight attendant 👏🏻 That passenger should be banned from flying if he can’t control his moronic behavior! Some people just lose all sense of control and decency on planes. Alcohol and meds aren’t a free pass to act like a lunatic 🙄”
It may seem like these types of incidents happen on every flight, but they don’t. It only feels that way because almost everyone has a smartphone and social media account. So when something unusual happens on just one of the 100,000 commercial flights that take off each day around the world, it can go viral within hours.
Long hair is a trigger? Good grief, then stay of airplanes. Or don’t walk in public, don’t go to a theater. Maybe just do not go out in public. Not the ladies fault.