Worst Passenger of the Week: New ORD Boarding Procedure Exposed

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 column, only one lucky flyer can take home the glory.

Honorable Mention – Vomit Chain Reaction

When a passenger leaves their body fluids on an airplane seat, a lot of people can be affected, but this week, one Worst Passenger’s sticky mess set off a chain reaction that left a 14-year-old girl reduced to sobs and her mother being hauled off to jail. Although there is plenty of blame to go around, it was a vomit-covered Frontier Airlines seat on a flight about to depart Las Vegas McCarran International Airport (LAS) this weekend that set off this heartbreaking series of events.

Video footage shows Rosetta Swinney becoming understandably upset after her daughter sat in a puke-covered seat. Eventually, the two disgruntled passengers were ordered off the plane. When they refused to deplane, police were called and Swinney was taken into custody as her inconsolable child watched helplessly.

There is some debate as to whether a crew member refused to assist the revolted air travelers or instead simply handed them cleaning supplies (saying, “that’s not my job,” according to some media accounts). The 53-year-old parent says she and her daughter were even denied the option of changing seats – a version of the events the airline denies.

Of course, if an airsick passenger had used an airsickness bag (likely available from Frontier for a reasonable fee), then a teenage girl wouldn’t have been covered in vomit. If an airline had properly cleaned a disgusting mess, then perhaps no one would have been the wiser. If a flight attendant had shown a little understanding, then a protective mother might not have flown into a rage. If an upset passenger had just swallowed her anger and followed police instructions, then she might not have been taken away in handcuffs.

Instead, it was just another Saturday at the airport in 2019.

Third Place – The Oldest Trick in the Book

The week, The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) arrested a 60-year-old suspect on charges of stealing a passenger’s purse at Vancouver International Airport (YVR). More troubling than this brazen crime itself is the fact that authorities believe the incident appears to be part of a larger criminal syndicate that operates at airports across the country and around the world.

Police say they already had undercover officers watching the airport in the wake of a string of reported thefts from passengers. Investigators say they are hoping to link this sting to make arrests involving members of the larger global criminal enterprise. Law enforcement agencies in several countries are reportedly following the case closely.

According to the RMCP, the thefts took place primarily in the airport’s international terminal. The professional theft ring employs well-honed tricks of the trade which have helped them to avoid detection until now.

“Suspects that specialize in this work generally work in teams and employ techniques to divert attention from their true purpose – to steal valuables away from their owners,” RCMP spokesperson Inspector Keith Bramhill said in a statement. “They are acute observers of people’s behavior and their habits. They are often difficult to identify and detect as they are extremely good at their craft. If a theft has been reported, it is largely after the fact. The suspect or suspects have long since vanished with police working hard to play catch up. We are fortunate to have experienced officers that knew exactly what to look for. Their timing was impeccable.”

The Runner-up – Al Fresco

A passenger at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX) just wanted to enjoy the great outdoors for a bit during a layover. Unfortunately, the stir-crazy flyer inadvertently accessed the tarmac through an emergency exit door.

According to police, Zidong Wang strolled around the secure areas of the airport for about 30 minutes before eventually being discovered. The 45-year-old’s stroll took him across two active taxiways. The Chinese national later told police that he simply “wanted to get some fresh air.

“After the passenger pushed open the emergency exit and walked down to the air operations area, the passenger was confronted by two American Airlines employees, who detained him and contacted Phoenix Police,” airport officials said in a statement. “According to Police, he spoke little English and was confused.”

American Airlines ground crews at PHX have had their hands full helping to detain trespassing passengers recently. Earlier this month, ramp workers challenged a passenger who jumped from an arriving flight to avoid being taken into custody by police after disrupting his flight.

The Winner – Al Fresco and Au Natural

Not to be outdone, a passenger at Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD) took trespassing on the ramp in a somewhat different direction. Ramp agents helped to detain a naked man who was reportedly attempting to board a departing Delta Air Lines flight. The airline workers helpfully tied a safety vest around the confused passenger to protect his modesty.

The underdressed flyer was eventually taken into custody by police. It isn’t clear exactly how the nude flyer was able to access the tarmac. According to at least one unconfirmed report, the birthday-suit-clad air traveler had recently arrived on yet another Delta flight.

This exhibitionist passenger is just the latest in a long line of buck-naked Worst Passengers of the Week. Just last month, a passenger at Moscow Domodedovo Airport (DME) stripped his clothes off because “clothing impairs the aerodynamics of the body” and he “flies with more agility when undressed.” A naked countryman added a twist to the routine dancing a “Full Monty” Can-Can dance at Moscow Sheremetyevo International Airport (SVO) in June of 2018. For a time, police at Nashville International Airport (BNA) frequently interacted with an oftentimes nude “harmless gentleman.”

[Image Source: Wikimedia/ Sahmeditor]