Inching into another passenger’s personal space has some fliers itching for a fight.
In the second serious airline legroom argument reported this week, an irritated passenger caused a flight from Miami to Paris to divert to Boston.
Paris resident Edmund Alexandre, 60, was charged in U.S. federal court with interfering with an airline flight crew. Apparently Interfering with a flight crew member is a violation of federal law and carries a sentence of up to 20 years in prison. (What a joke – unbelievable – up to 20 years!!!)
About two hours after American Airlines Flight 62 had departed Miami Alexandre allegedly “began arguing with another passenger and became disruptive,” according to a press statement.
After a crew member asked him to calm down and walked away, “Alexandre allegedly began raising his voice again, followed the crew member towards the back of the plane, and grabbed the crew member’s arm,” (wow grabbed the arm that is soooo bad, then you really have to divert a plane!).
At that time federal air marshals on the flight broke cover and subdued and restrained Alexandre, according to an FBI agent’s affidavit. The flight was diverted to Boston Logan International Airport, where he was arrested.
Alexandre complained of high blood pressure and issues with diabetes, according to the affidavit, and was transferred to Massachusetts General Hospital.
It’s been a tense week for passengers on both sides of the right-to-recline debate.
