Off-duty cop stops unruly passenger on US Airways flight

[one...two...tree 2,762]

The Associated Press

KENNEWICK, Wash. - An off-duty Benton County sheriff's deputy stopped an out-of-control passenger who tried to open an emergency exit during a flight from Phoenix to Seattle.

Doug Stanley, who has been with the sheriff's office for 8 1/2 years, was returning June 12 from a vacation in Missouri.

Stanley said he was aboard US Airways Flight 78 when a passenger in the seat in front of him began acting erratically and attempted to open the emergency exit door. Flight attendants attempted to calm the man, whose name has not been released by authorities.

When the captain announced the plane's final descent into Seattle-Tacoma International Airport about 11 p.m., the man refused to put his seat belt on and was dismantling his seat, said Stanley, an Army Airborne veteran.

Flight attendants tried to get the man into his seat, but Stanley said when he "reached up to pop open the door," the deputy intervened.

Stanley showed the man his police identification and told him to sit down, but when that didn't work he wrestled him away from the door.

"Talking was pretty much over at that point," said Stanley, who injured his shoulder during the struggle.

Stanley took the man to the back of the plane, where he was handcuffed with plastic zip ties. He said the man screamed for a bit but eventually settled down and asked Stanley what had happened.

Port of Seattle police officers took the man off the plane and he was later taken to be medically evaluated. Stanley filled out a statement, retrieved his luggage and drove back to the Tri-Cities.

"We're grateful for the assistance of the officer for the help he provided our flight attendants and customers on board that flight," said Liz Landau, spokeswoman for US Airways.

Port of Seattle police Sgt. Ron Fletcher said his department will send a commendation letter to Stanley.

"The guy definitely stepped up. He could have just sat there," Fletcher said. "He went above and beyond the call of duty on that one."

Fletcher said he wasn't sure what will happen to the man. He said possible charges would depend on his mental health.

Stanley has not returned to work because of the shoulder injury.

"The one place I would never imagine getting hurt is on vacation in an airplane," he said.

http://www.azcentral.com/news/articles/062...ypassenger.html

[Robor007 0]

Kudo's to the officer but why was he alone? I mean, why didn't the other passengers help hiim subdue the guy?

[JoeMama 0]

Kudo's to the officer but why was he alone? I mean, why didn't the other passengers help hiim subdue the guy?

That is what I was thinking also.

It would've been a good time to get some pop shots in!

[Dr_LHA 3]

Flight attendants tried to get the man into his seat, but Stanley said when he "reached up to pop open the door," the deputy intervened.

Why do they always seat the guy with issues in the exit row?

Seriously though, the last flight I flew on the guy in the exit row in front of me clearly had some mental health issues, he kept fidgeting, getting up and down constantly, talking to himself etcetera. Shouldn't the stewards be trained to maybe reseat someone acting up like this near the door?

Edited June 22, 2007 by Dr_LHA

[JoeMama 0]

Flight attendants tried to get the man into his seat, but Stanley said when he "reached up to pop open the door," the deputy intervened.

Why do they always seat the guy with issues in the exit row?

Seriously though, the last flight I flew on the guy in the exit row in front of me clearly had some mental health issues, he kept fidgeting, getting up and down constantly, talking to himself etcetera. Shouldn't the stewards be trained to maybe reseat someone acting up like this near the door?

They should have one seat within a padded room that locks from the outside for passengers like this. Get 'em away from the exits and other passengers.

[britbird 4]

Because hitting someone in front of so many spectators opens you up to allll sorts of tort/civil liability issues let alone the criminal ones. If you were to hit him and kill him (there could be all manner of reasons why he went nutty, including a brain bleed) you would be - frankly - screwed.

[Robor007 0]

Because hitting someone in front of so many spectators opens you up to allll sorts of tort/civil liability issues let alone the criminal ones. If you were to hit him and kill him (there could be all manner of reasons why he went nutty, including a brain bleed) you would be - frankly - screwed.

No way that would happen. The guy was obviously putting other passengers in danger. Plus you don't have to hit someone to subdue them.

[viccardenas 0]

Kudo's to the officer but why was he alone? I mean, why didn't the other passengers help hiim subdue the guy?

Because hitting someone in front of so many spectators opens you up to allll sorts of tort/civil liability issues let alone the criminal ones. If you were to hit him and kill him (there could be all manner of reasons why he went nutty, including a brain bleed) you would be - frankly - screwed.

The reason only one man (who happened to be a cop) did anything about it was because pretty much everybody is just like britbird. Most people are afraid of hitting someone because of the consequences of doing so. The ones who aren't become cops, soldiers, security guards, bodyguards, hitmen, mafioso, etc...

Look at 9/11, only a few people out of several hundred stood up against the terrorists, and that was after they heard about the other planes.

[almaty 19]

Kudo's to the officer but why was he alone? I mean, why didn't the other passengers help hiim subdue the guy?

where is brother slim at? this is his opening

[^KK^ 3]

Good job!!