Passenger Fined $98K for Bad Behavior Onboard
Joe Cortez September 20, 2017
Decision handed down by judge backs data collected by aviation industry.
A flyer will pay nearly $100,000 in fines after forcing a Hawaiian Airlines flight to divert, and the travel industry could have the data to back up the penalty. James August, who was accused of threatening other passengers on a 2016 flight, will pay restitution back to the carrier as part of his sentence.
According to reports, August was allegedly drinking alcohol before his flight from Honolulu back to New York. Once airborne, witnesses said that he became aggressive and threatened to harm his girlfriend. The flight ultimately returned to Honolulu, where August was taken into custody.
The Associated Press reports that a federal judge ordered August to pay $97,187 in restitution to Hawaiian for the costs involved in the diversion after he pleaded guilty to charges of interfering with flight crew members, including getting a new flight crew and the landing fees. The flyer will also be on probation for three months.
The ruling is backed by data suggesting that in-flight incidents are becoming more common and costing airlines and passengers thousands of dollars as a result. In data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA) accessed by the Chicago Tribune, 53 percent of airlines polled said that unruly passengers on flights are increasing, with 40 percent of airlines diverting a flight due to bad behavior. Alcohol and other substances exacerbate the situation: the IATA claims nearly one in four incidents are the result of drugs or alcohol.
Although the monetary penalty is unique in the United States, fines for flyers who act badly on flights are common in other parts of the world. In 2016, Chinese air carriers instituted a “uncivilized passenger” list, passing down fines and flying bans to disruptive passengers.
[Photo: Shutterstock]
Good. Lesson learned
I agree with crescent2, the ease of getting soused before getting on a plane is in my opinion adds to the issue. Not everyone is a good social drinker and unfortunately pre boarding alcohol consumption cannot be monitored, Until airlines deny boarding to those obviously unfit to fly, we will all be subject to bad behaviors. Life isn't fair and a few bad apples screw it up for the majority of nice travelers.
weero - you were there and have first hand knowledge of the incident that exceeds what was available to the judge? Tell us more.
I'm surprised they don't just ban alcohol.
If a diversion was absolutely the last resort,this is appropriate. But it smells a lot like giving unmitigated power to the flight crew: shut up, or we ruin your life form of justice. Airlines that use less than 32" seat pitch or <18" seat width should be held co-responsible for altercations.