One Giant Criminal Case For An Unruly Passenger

Sometimes flight attendants, God bless 'em, have to deal with a Passenger From Hell. Take Mark McGovern, for instance. ("Take" is used strictly figuratively here. The FBI has him under lock at key already -- you could say he's "been taken" already -- and you're about to learn why). McGovern was a passenger aboard United 1502, service from Orlando to Washington, DC, who pushed the deportment envelope a little bit too far.

The FAs noticed, at first, that McGovern -- one of 117 passengers on the flight -- appeared to be intoxicated. Next, he pulled out a cigarette and lit up (special note to TSA: you missed his lighter, sweetheart). Told to put it out, he got abusive with the flight attendant, but finally extinguished the cigarette.

It was when the flight attendant turned her back and walked away that McGovern expressed himself in a singularly inappropriate manner -- he stood in the aisle and urinated.

At that point the crew of Flight 1502 -- not to mention the other passengers -- had had quite enough of McGovern, and the pilot diverted to the nearest suitable airfield, alerting authorities.

The plane landed in Charlotte, North Carolina at 8:15 p.m. and was met by Charlotte/ Mecklenburg police, who arrested McGovern and delivered him to the FBI, who have jurisdiction over criminal misconduct on US aircraft.

After disposing of McGovern (and, presumably, trying to clean the carpet - pew!) the jet and its crew and passengers resumed their flight to Washington about a half hour behind schedule -- between a two-minute late departure, time spent diverting, and twenty minutes on the ground in CLT. Despite the delay, though, the crew was able to make up the lost time, arriving at Dulles International Airport without any further difficulties -- six minutes early.

It was unclear whether McGovern ordered alcohol on the plane, or whether he was operating solely on prior indulgence. (How much booze can someone practically drink in the first half of a short flight, though?) Aeromedical experts have long been aware that reduced cabin pressure can amplify the effects of alcohol or other intoxicating chemicals.

Which is not to excuse McGovern's bizarre actions on Flight 1502. A United spokesperson described McGovern's behavior as "extremely inappropriate."

FMI: www.united.com, www.fbi.gov