Evan!

Since the OP was actually on the flight there is no need for me to say "if what was reported is true...".

Not only do I hope NW goes after this guy, I hope he is flagged somehow in "the system" so he can't take ANY airline home. It has been umpteen years since I have traveled by train or bus in North America but I would have to guess that it takes a LONG time via either of these modes of transportation. I don't know of any bus line that has a first class but I believe Amtrak has one. He better not burn that bridge as well.

But I can hear the excuses already "I was on medication..... pity me and excuse my actions. I have a 'disease'. I'm not responsible for ordering drinks... the FAs should have stopped me." [typical whine and violins here]

If he jumps another airline home he will most likely not relate this experience as his personal "rock bottom" to his fellow anonymous alcoholics at his first meeting but rather just order another high ball.

[side note: The word busline produces a spelling warning using Firefox, however umpteen does not. Interesting. According to M-W.com, umpteen is a word. It's cliche but... ya learn something new each day.]

anbhc

Did folks miss their connections in Tokyo as a result?

tomh009

The one time that I was diverted to ANC (sick co-pilot that time) I don't think we were much more than an hour late in spite of spending nearly an hour on the ground in ANC waiting for a new co-pilot. The 747s do have more speed in them if NW decides that it needs it (at the cost of extra fuel burn).

DanTravels

Yup. Higher normal cruise speeds than any other Boeing airliner, and I think higher maximum cruise speeds, too. If you're in a hurry, I suppose "four engines good, two engines bad."

marel2

We were delayed about 45 minutes and made up some time plus security was empty at Narita so that saved time. My flight to Guangzhou was boarding when I arrived at the gate.
Before landing in Anchorage the captain made an announcement that we needed fuel....but we knew what was going on. As soon as the man was escorted off the plane the captain announced that the diversion was caused by a disruptive passenger.

Sam Drucker

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't think its a simple matter of "Let's cruise faster and make up some time." On trans-oceanic crossings in particular, I got the impression that air traffic was all choreographed, including speeds and altitudes, and since they are not under radar control, adherance to designated speeds and self-reporting when arriving at checkpoints is what makes the system work. Maybe it's different now, but that's the gist of how I understood it worked in the 80's.

I would be curious to know if this 747-400 was able to land at Anchorage below maximum landing weight without dumping fuel? Ironically, he may have needed to dump fuel to get weight down to land, then take on more fuel to continue to Tokyo Narita.

tomh009

Maybe on of the FTers who is an actual pilot can confirm -- but I believe what would happen here is that the pilot would need to file a new flight plan for ANC-NRT after the unplanned stop. No, you can't just ad hoc put the pedal to the metal, but the new flight plan could be based on a higher cruising speed.

runninaway

I'm hoping they go after him and he gets to ride home on "Con-Air", the airline where FF miles are a VERY baaaad thing.

florin

I can't help it...

Was no big deal to me but a lot of folks missed their connections.

FlytheTail

aSiAnRiCk

Don't start. I'd expect this thread to go to page 3 because of this

BW Flyer

I guess with the advent of GPS, reporting to waypoints are not as critical as in the past. I heard the future plan is GPS will eventually replace the need for those waypoint beacons. Please correct me if I am wrong.

As for the drunken PAX, I suppose no FAM was on board to deal with him (or shot him) ?

bkw

I was also on this flight, but was sitting upstairs so I missed the action. Here is what our flight attendant told us:

1. Passenger made a new friend with the female passenger sitting next to him and the two of them decided to have some fun.

2. Passenger eventually asked for 2 glasses of wine but was refused. When she refused to serve him, he slapped her.

3. Passenger took off his pants and threw them on the people in the row behind him. His pants were soaking wet.

4. The captain was called in and while talking to this guy, the guy asked the captain what he was going to do because of his behavior. He went on to challenge the captain to a fight. The captain left and instantly made the decision to divert.

5. As already mentioned, the Captain told us on PA we needed to stop for fuel in Anchorage. It wasn't until after the passenger was removed that the Captain told us the details.

6. We were only on the ground for around 45-60 minutes. After we took off, everyone was assured of making their connections.

7. Instead of waiting until the end of the flight, we were served breakfast not long after leaving Anchorage.

All in all I thought the situation was handled very well, although I'm surprised this guy wasn't ever physically restrained by anyone. It was amazing we were able to get out of Anchorage so fast and that no one missed their connections in NRT. We were also informed of the incident. I was very pleased with the Captain and his staff.

florin

^ Kudos to them for being so professional! Well done!

moocherx

With some... let's call it "work"... I've had to do in the past, I would be perfectly happy to safely restrain a passenger so that he would cause no further problems to the other passengers or crew.

I would especially do it if the alternative - detour - was going to disrupt my trip.

What are the opinions of flight crews for one passenger to take on such a confrontation role with another passenger, albeit resulting in a flight that can continue as scheduled with no further disruption?

Is it a case of "stay out of it"?