VIDEO: The Slap Heard ‘Round the Gate

Every Friday, FlyerTalk looks back at the week’s most charming individuals. While there are always plenty of contenders for our Worst Passenger of the Week award, only one lucky flyer can take home the glory. Here are this week’s winners.

Third Place – The Sore Losers

By all accounts, the New York Giants did not handle their disappointing loss to the Green Bay Packers with grace. Superstar wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. reportedly punched a hole in the locker room wall at Lambeau Field following the 38-13 loss in Sunday’s wildcard playoff game, but it seems that some players also took their frustrations out on the team plane during the flight back to Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR).

According to local media reports, the cabin of the chartered Boeing 767 operated by United Airlines was left in such bad shape that a flight the following day to London Heathrow Airport (LHR) was delayed for more than three hours while crews worked to clean the plane and repair the damage. Delayed passengers say workers removed and replaced dozens of seat cushions in the business class cabin before boarding could begin.

Both United Airlines and the team denied reports that players trashed the plane. CBS News was able to confirm, however, that the same aircraft used to fly the team home from their playoff loss was at least originally scheduled to make the trip from EWR to LHR the following day.

Regardless of whether or not Giants players are responsible for abusing the team plane, as some United employees seem to believe, it is all but certain the issue will not come up again any time soon. While the team that ultimately wins the Super Bowl next month will be taking a victory flight to Disney World, the Giants, who were eliminated from the playoffs on Sunday, have taken their last team flight of the season.

The Runner-up – The Failed Filibuster

Giving an anti-airline speech to a plane full of delayed passengers might just be the very definition of pandering, but retired U.S. Senator Alfonse D’Amato seemed to believe every word he was saying when he addressed the cabin of a JetBlue flight due to depart Fort Lauderdale–Hollywood International Airport (FLL) for John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) this week.

“We can still speak in this country,” D’Amato orated during his ad hoc onboard speech. “I’m making an appeal to all you people — you want to know what? Stand up for what’s right and walk out with me. That’s the only thing they’ll know.”

At least two passengers appear to have heeded the former New York legislator’s call to action by walking off the flight.

“Here’s a gentleman who’s doing it,” D’Amato said praising the newly minted activist-passenger. “Stand up and walk out. If you don’t, then don’t, what do you stand up for?”

For his part, D’Amato was given little choice but to follow his own advice. The onetime lawmaker was escorted from the plane a short time later.

D’Amato’s staff soon issued a statement clarifying the 79-year-old’s remarks. “JetBlue has apologized to the Senator for overreacting and the Senator apologized for speaking his mind at a time when he clearly had left his patience at the gate,” a spokesman for the retired U.S. Senator explained.

The Winner – Negotiating for Dummies

The passenger, who reportedly arrived at the gate too late to board her Ryan Air flight due to depart London Stansted Airport (STN) for Athens International Airport (ATH) on Monday, might want to work on her people skills. While it is no doubt aggravating to miss the ready transportation to a Greek holiday, the tardy traveler inexcusably resorted to violence and slapped a stunned gate agent’s face.

Late passenger slaps a member of staff @STN_Airport because she was late & gate 43 closed. pic.twitter.com/k4tOVtOdj8

— Comz (@comz90) January 9, 2017

As a rule of thumb, once the door is closed, it is fairly unlikely a passenger will be allowed to board any commercial flight. This fact doesn’t discourage flyers from attempting to charm, bargain and threaten their way onboard after the final boarding call. It’s a situation that plays out every day at airports around the world. In nearly every case, a late traveler will often helpfully point out that the plane is “right there.”

When passengers eventually realize they will be taking a later flight, the worst case scenario is generally a threat to tattle to the employee’s superiors or a vague promise to “never fly this airline again.” The Worst Passenger of the Week, however, took things just a bit further.

A video of the unfortunate incident, taken by a nearby traveler, shows the moment negotiations broke down. The passenger strikes before being quickly separated from the gate agent by fellow employees.

“It happened Monday morning, nine-ish, the passenger had too many hand luggage bags, refused to pay or repack, and was advised the gate needed to close so aircraft could take off as already a bit late,” airline officials told reporters. “Her flight was to Athens, when the gate closed that was her reaction.”

According to media reports, the violent passenger was issued a warning for common assault and later removed from the airport.

[Photo, video: Twitter/@comz90]