OMG no you didn't

Really, children!

Some information from the actual court papers:
 

Sorry to be a distraction from the schoolyard fight between PTravel and Chicken or Beef, but here's some interesting information from the court filings. After reading all of this, I don't think that the average law-abiding Joe or Jane who makes a complaint to or who gets upset with a flight attendant is going to get 30 months like Proskin:

From the stipulated facts (when Proskin agreed to a plea):
"On April 24, 2008, Defendant PROSKIN was a passenger on Continental Airlines flight 2116, from Houston to Palm Springs, California. After PROSKIN perceived that a flight attendant had bumped his leg with a beverage cart while she pushed it in the aisle, PROSKIN commenced a diatribe in which he cursed vile obscenities at the flight attendant for several minutes. The flight attendant felt very intimitdated by his actions--so much so that she asked a male passenger whether he would come to her defense if PROSKIN's verbal aggression turned physical. Other passengers verbally assisted the flight attendant by attempting to quell PROSKIN's verbal assault, which prompted PROSKIN to engage in obsenity-laden invective with them as well. (One passenger heard PROSKIN state that he would "kill" one of these passengers when they landed in Palm Springs.). As a consequence of all this, the flight attendant reasonably believed that fistacuffs were about to break out on the plane. She talked to the captain, who immediately made the decision to land the plane at the nearest airport in Midland Texas, so that PROSKIN could be removed from the aircraft."

From the complaint:
"This affidavit is in support of a Federal Arrest Warrant for ARTHUR DAVID PROSKIN, of Albany, NY, for, while on an aircraft within the special jurisdiction of the United States, intimidated a flight crew member or [sic] flight atttendant of the aircraft, and interfered with the performance of the duties of the member or attendant and lessened the ability of the member or attendant to perform those duties in violation of Title 49 USC 46504."

...

"PROSKIN told investigators that he was in a fight onboard an aircraft with his girlfriend approximately 2 years ago. That flight, from New York to California, was diverted to land in Phoenix or Tuscon, Arizona and PROSKIN was removed from the flight."

...

"PROSKIN has a lengthy criminal history that includes arrests in several states for drug, theft, and assault violations. PROSKIN appears to have an outstanding warrant for Failure to Apepar in Peoria County, Illinois, and two active protective orders against him."

And finally, in the judgment, Proskin was ordered to pay $4642.40 to Continental.

I suppose some untrusting folks could assert that "just because its in affidavit signed by an FBI agent doesn't make it true," but I'm willing to accept the facts as stated since, defendant Proskin either 1) pled guilty or 2) was found guilty by a jury, which resulted in his sentence of incarceration. Given his lengthy criminal record and outstanding bench warrants, I don't think anyone should doubt that he is a flaming piece of turd who picked a flight with a female flight attendant while airborne. Case closed.

The flight number was 2116, so this was most likely an Express flight flown on an ERJ. Don't know that to be true, but if so......

I would imagine a lone flight attendant would feel a lot more vulnerable in this situation than a flight attendant with a few buddies acting as backup/witnesses. When the Captain asks "Are you comfortable?" the answer is probably directly influenced by the number of cavalry by your side at that moment.

DRW

One passenger heard it? Seriously? It sounds like it was something that someone "remembered" to justify the charge (the law), which requires that any interference be a result of "assaulting or intimidating" a member of the crew.

Not that I'm saying the guy doesn't deserve punishment.

Flight 2116 is currently a regional jet from IAH to COLORADO Springs. It doesn't look like CO currently services PSP, and even if they did at one point, it probably wouldn't be with a regional jet from Houston, right? Did they ever serve Palm Springs from IAH?

So it looks like the flight was not heading from IAH to PSP, but rather it was going to Colorado Springs. If this is true, I'm kind of amazed that this mistake is in the pleadings and court documents. Now, I think this guy probably deserved punishment. Especially if it was a regional jet, and there was only one FA. But it makes you wonder what other mistakes the prosecutors made in their filings.

EDIT: Looks like they used to fly IAH to PSP. So, it looks like this was probably not a mistake. I didn't realize Continental flew RJs from IAH to California. But I know they have some pretty long RJ flights, so I guess it isn't that surprising. Bit of a coincidence that the flight now goes to Colorado Springs. Anyway, the guy got what he deserved, bottom line.

Express used to serve Palm Springs (and Bakersfield, etc.) with ERJs from IAH. Flight numbers in the 2000's aren't generally flown by mainline (and certainly not the 757 or 767 -- I can't count that high!), so I'm inclined to think this was an Express flight from the 'old' days.

DRW

$4642.40 + airfare for what must have been ALB-EWR( or CLE)-IAH-PSP
Aprox 2938 miles one way....Mr. Proskin should read the mileage run forum.
this is not a good value per mile :p

Sorry folks if I gave you the wrong impression of a child like behavior.

Just to clear the air, I'm in no way against you folks (Frequent travelers) actually I appreciate your business.

I have been in this industry 22 years + Divided by 2 carriers, and in that time I have worked for in flight, operations, Training and I have worked with the fAA and many other agencies including law enforcement.

all I have to say is that there are bad fAs as well as good fAs, there are good passengers as well as bad ones. I don't have the data to support which one is worst.

However I know that most cal fAs are professional and happy to serve you. And that at the same time the majority of you, do appreciate what we do. Especially after flt 1404 and the Us airways incident.

I for one choose my battles when it comes to customer service, I will inform you of the rules and it's up you to follow them, I will not force them on you. It doesn't make me or break me if you follow them or not. I would never talk down to you nor have and over the top attitude with you. Like I said most of you are well behaved And I know that.

However having a law enforcement back ground (retired) I would not nor could I tolerate abusive behavior towards me or any of my crew members. And weather you like it or not, there are procedures established to deal with guys like the one in the article

For all of the nei Sayers in here, (to the ones that read a small article and are quick to make a judgment on what happened without all the facts, and you know who you are) All I have to say is believe what you believe and behave how you must, It is your time, waste it if you must. Just be careful and make sure that you don't end up like him.:D

AGSF
 

Thanks for posting the excerpts.

In reading the OP, I also had to assume that there was more to it. His priors notwithstanding, it sounds like he was out of control. VERY scary to be in a confined environment when something like that breaks out and you don't know how far someone can go.

In my travels, I have only seen arguments come to blows twice. Once was at the gate wherein both pax were escorted off by the law (pig and chicken flight - aka, SJU -JFK) , and the other we made an EL (Spring Break charter - go figure - lol).

Banned for life??
 

There's no mention in the article if this pax was banned for life from flying CO. With that kind of record (causing 2 diversions because of violent outbursts), I don't think he should ever be allowed on CO metal again. I wouldn't be surprised if other carriers even followed suit. This jerk is a risk to the flying public and doesn't deserve the right to fly.....on any carrier! :mad:

Wow, a man cursed at me for a few minutes. Boo hoo. I'm so scared. :rolleyes:

Seriously, grow up. Apparently we're a nation of 6 year olds that is deathly afraid of airplanes and foul language. :rolleyes: The best way to shut people like that up is to ignore them.

Wanting a free ticket because a cart hit his leg? Sounds like this guy is a pro at trying to scam companies.

Great country- a moron in jail for a couple years and Madoff is at home sucking down margaritas. I'd probably get 5 years for not paying my trolley fare.