US Airways Passenger Says He Was Poked

We've all heard of air rage. In these days of heightened security, long lines and short tempers, it's no longer uncommon to read about passengers who fly off the handle.

But crew members?

John McLeod was flying from Charlotte (NC) to Tampa Bay (FL) last month when the flight attendant announced it was time to "stow your tray-tables and raise your seats to their upright and locked positions." When he didn't immediately comply, he got a few sharp pokes in the shoulder from a flight attendant.

McLeod says he complained about being poked and was immediately labeled a disruptive passenger and reported to authorities on the ground. He was escorted from the flight by police.

"I've flown for 25 years and this guy was the worst," said McLeod, who takes about 15 domestic and international flights every year in the course of doing business. He owns a wholesale auto parts company, MB Marketing & Manufacturing. "I think the guy has got some issues."

Police questioned McLeod, along with several other passengers who corroborated his story. In the end, officers found the "disruptive passenger" label was unwarranted and released him.

The 60-year old McLeod, who leads bible study classes at his church, says he wasn't even supposed to be on that flight. The one he booked, on Delta, had been cancelled.

McLeod tells the St. Petersburg Times that he was asleep when he woke to the announcement that the cabin was being prepared for landing. He raised his first-class seat, but only about three-quarters of the way, then took off his glasses and rubbed his eyes. That's when he felt a sharp poke in his shoulder. The flight attendant demanded that he raise his seat completely.

"I was astounded," McLeod said. "I told him, "Okay, but don't touch me.' I was offended."

That should have been the end of it, but wasn't. The FA, who was walking away, wheeled around on McLeod and asked if the passenger had a problem with him.

"He walked back over to me - very close - and said something to the effect of, "This is my plane. You have to do what I tell you when I tell you to do it,"' McLeod said. "And he poked me again."

To be fair, says the Association of Flight Attendants, FAs are under a bit of strain these days. "They have full planes and bare-bones crews to handle all this, on top of pay cuts and everything," says Dawn Meeks, who speaks for the Association of Flight Attendants. "They're in a tense situation and can make a mistake."

But this might have been a little much. What happens to the flight attendant?

"We do not discuss personnel actions or issues involving our customers," said spokesman David Castelveter. "Though we will not discuss the circumstances of this matter ... in no case should a customer interfere with flight attendants in the discharge of their duties."

Welcome to the new age of commercial aviation. Please, fasten your seatbelt. And your chair IS, of course, in its full upright position, isn't it?

FMI: www.usairways.com