'Speed' Tape Proves To Be Effective Restraint

One of the most versatile and indispensible tools ever invented has yet another use.

The Associated Press reports Maria Esther Castillo of Oswego, NY faces charges of resisting arrest and interfering with the operations of a flight crew aboard United Airlines Flight 645, from Puerto Rico to Chicago last Saturday.

Witnesses say the 45-year-old woman hit a flight attendant on the butt with her hand, stood and fell onto the head of a blind passenger, and later started pulling his hair.

Castillo was reportedly agitated, especially when the flight attendants refused to serve her any more alcohol... but when the crew placed her in ankle cuffs, they kept slipping off.

Enter duct tape -- perhapsbetter known to pilots as "speed" tape. Crewmembers taped her to her seat while the plane was diverted to Charlotte, NC where she was arrested.

We're not surprised alcohol was involved... and we're really not surprised the duct tape proved an effective restraint mechanism. But this story does beg the question... if United's airliners are commonly equipped with rolls of duct tape, what exactly do crews normally use it for?

FMI: www.united.com