The union that represents Southwest Airlines’ flight attendants is asking for more help after a passenger turned violent on a flight over the weekend. A flight attendant lost two teeth after she was attacked by the unruly passenger on a short flight between Sacramento and San Diego.
“Our flight attendants are facing hostility and aggression to levels that have reached violence and it has been a real problem for first responders in the sky” said Lyn Montgomery, president of Transport Workers Union local 556, which represents Southwest Airlines flight attendants.
The attack aboard the California flight is the latest in, what airline workers say, is an increasingly hostile flying public. So far this year, there have been 2,500 reports of unruly passengers, according to the Federal Aviation Administration. Flight attendants have faced verbal and physical abuse, as well as finding themselves getting in the middle of fights between passengers, Montgomery said.
“There are serious penalties and fines and even jail time for not complying with a crewmember’s instructions or interfering with a flight crew.” she said.
The union is asking Southwest for help in making sure passengers know they could be banned from the airline for life if they are found to have caused violence on a plane.
Southwest Airlines declined to answer questions, but in a statement the company said “We understand and share the Union’s concerns regarding passenger non-compliance and disruptive behavior. We are partnering with the FAA to investigate incidents so they may take appropriate actions. We do not condone or tolerate verbal or physical abuse of our Flight Crews, and we will continue to work with both the FAA and the Union to preserve and protect the safety and well-being of our Flight Crews and Customers.”
Once a plane is in the sky there is little that can be done to control a passenger who becomes aggressive, short of getting the crew involved. In some instances the plane is forced to land at the nearest airport, where help can be made available. Often, unruly customers are surprised to find themselves staring face-to-face with the FBI, as activity onboard a plane is covered by federal law.
In some instances there are air marshals who are on the plane monitoring security. Montgomery would like to see the presence increased as public irritation over federally-mandated mask-wearing continues.
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“Perhaps start requesting that the government increase air marshals and that the air marshals step in when there is a threat presented toward a crew member.”
The flight attendant who was injured in the weekend attack is recovering, said Montgomery. She did not immediately know what happened to the passenger who caused the injury.
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