Airline passenger cited for remark about drinking

http://www.ohio.com/mld/ohio/news/local/4808587.htm ^

[forest6147]

Posted on Tue, Dec. 24, 2002

Airline passenger cited for remark about drinking Associated Press

MADISON, Wis. - An airline passenger was cited for disorderly conduct Tuesday after the plane's crew accused him of insinuating the pilot had been drinking.

The remark caused Comair to cancel the 9:30 a.m. flight to Cincinnati, forcing 26 passengers to make other travel plans, said Lt. Michael Krembs of the Dane County Sheriff's Department.

Steven M. Wiese, 33, of Cottage Grove, was accused of leaning into the cockpit and remarking to the pilot, "I hope you haven't been drinking," Krembs said.

Federal Aviation Administration regulations require the flight crew to be tested for controlled substances when drug or alcohol abuse allegations are made.

"My assumption is it was a flippant remark," Krembs said. "But in this day and age of heightened airport security, you just don't joke about stuff anymore."

The airline refused to allow Wiese and his wife on another flight Tuesday, Krembs said.

His citation carries a $225 fine. The sheriff's department has referred the case to the FBI for further investigation.

[forest6147]

This type of stuff is getting out of hand.

[Cagey]

Why they would cancel the flight is beyond me.

[muggs]

Sheesh, things have become insane.

[mhking]

"Hold muh beer 'n watch this!" PING....

If you want on or off this list, please let me know!

[Jhoffa_]

Oh my Gosh.. I did the same thing, and I left from Cincy.

I was boarding an airbus A300 after a connection flight and the pilot was standing out, talking to members of the crew and greeting people as they boarded.

I just make a silly comment as I passed, something to the effect of: "You guy's are sober, right?"

They laughed and he replied: "We're worried about you!"

It was a silly comment and that's all that came of it.. That's all that should have come of it. Damn..

Since they can't gurantee absolute safety regardless, I almost wonder if the answer isn't to get fedgov OUT of the airline business to the extent that's possible .

As opposed to having them even more deeply involved, which seems to be the trend.

[IamHD]

The airline refused to allow Wiese and his wife on another flight Tuesday, Krembs said.

His citation carries a $225 fine. The sheriff's department has referred the case to the FBI for further investigation.

This is ridiculous. I'm glad that I don't have to fly.

[forest6147]

I guess a since of humor is no longer PC.

[muawiyah]

The pilot appears to have been drunk or otherwise mentally incapacitated to have interpreted that particular remark in that manner.

[muawiyah]

Or, maybe it's the guy reading the FAA rules doing the interpreting. We should get his name to make sure we don't get on any airplanes he might be flying.

[per loin]

When the customer begins to realize that he is treated as an enemy, he will avoid being a customer.

[Thinkin' Gal]

His citation carries a $225 fine.

How convenient.

[FReepaholic]

>>..."My assumption is it was a flippant remark," Krembs said. "But in this day and age of heightened airport security, you just don't joke about stuff anymore." ...<<

Rather, in this day and age of "nobody can take a freaking joke". Sheesh.

[DLfromthedesert]

And a lot of "Freepers" are cheering them on!!

[IamHD]

You've got that right! It isn't as if this customer threatened anyone. Geesh. Some people just can't take a joke anymore. (not you:)

[Sparta]

Speech Nazis on patrol.

[Jhoffa_]

Oh I know..

And all of them haters of "Big Government" and "Orwellian tactics"

[forest6147]

I never fly and now I don't think I ever will.

[IamHD]

It's getting to the point that you don't know what you can or cannot say anymore. What a joke.

[muggs]

I better put duct tape over my mouth the next time I fly.

[SeeRushToldU_So]

This is some silly sh!t.