Is it just me or does it seem like travelers have gotten bolder (and a bit more foolish) since the pandemic? I’ve shared numerous stories of passengers losing their cool or just acting out in ridiculous ways. Find some of the more outrageous incidents at the end of this article.
However, the latest incident occurred yesterday at Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD), when a passenger walked up to a gate while the previous flight was still deplaning. When the gate agent tried to prevent him, the stocky passenger landed a punch that knocked him out cold. See the video below.
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A Fly Guy Travels shared the video and reported that the passenger wanted to board the plane early. But that doesn’t really make sense … and neither does knocking out a gate agent. I would bet the assailant had been on that flight and realized, once in the gate area that he had left something on board. But due to safety protocols, passengers aren’t allowed back on the plane after boarding. Just like they aren’t allowed off once they’ve boarded, presumably to prevent anyone from leaving something potentially dangerous behind.
Here’s A Fly Guy’s caption and some popular comments, mostly from flight attendants: “A violent passenger attacked a United Airlines ground staff member, reportedly knocking them unconscious. According to reports, the employee was enforcing safety procedures by preventing the passenger from approaching the gate door, which was open for deplaning. The passenger then threw a punch, striking the staff member. Authorities intervened, arresting the passenger at the scene. As reported by View From The Wing, the injured United employee was transported to the hospital on a stretcher.”
@Keyshiammarie: And this is why we need a No-Fly List across the board. Not just per airline. This behavior shouldn’t be allowed past TSA ever.
@80sgirl.forever: Please ban this guy from ALL airlines #NoFlyList
@syskastyle: A no-fly-for-life list is needed at this point!
@kenni_bee_: As a former gate agent, this is horrible and unacceptable! I pray they ban him from flying on any airline.
@wondering_daydreamer: Greyhound should be his only form of transportation now. All unions and airlines should band together to make a no-fly list on all airlines, especially when they physically assault an employee. Enough is enough. People need to face real consequences for their actions.
I agree with all of these comments. Airlines really need to work together to create a universal no-fly list. First and foremost, I hope the gate agent is okay. And secondly, I hope this tough guy spends some serious time behind bars so he can really think about his actions.
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