Should This Be Included In Flight Attendant's Safety Rules To PAX?

It may have been fortunate for the passengers of US Airways Flight 78 from Phoenix to Seattle Thursday that off-duty Benton, WA Sheriff's Deputy Doug Stanley was onboard to help quell an attempt to open an exit door -- while the pland was still airborne.

When the captain announced the plane's final descent into Seattle-Tacoma International Airport about 11:00 pm, the unidentified man refused to put his seat belt on and was dismantling his seat, said Stanley, an Army Airborne veteran, to the Associated Press.

When the man --, who was a passenger in the seat in front of him -- began acting erratically and attempted to open the emergency exit door, Stanley showed the man his police identification, wrestled him to the back of the plane and handcuffed him with plastic ties.

"Talking was pretty much over at that point," said Stanley, who injured his shoulder during the struggle.

He said the man screamed for a bit but eventually settled down and asked Stanley what had happened.

After the plane landed, Port of Seattle police took the man for a medical evaluation.

Stanley filled out a statement, retrieved his luggage, and drove back to the Tri-Cities.

Port of Seattle Sergeant Ron Fletcher says his department probably will send a Stanley a commendation.

"We're grateful for the assistance of the officer for the help he provided our flight attendants and customers on board that flight," said Liz Landau, spokeswoman for US Airways.

"The guy definitely stepped up. He could have just sat there," Fletcher said. "He went above and beyond the call of duty on that one."

Stanley has not returned to work because of the shoulder injury.

"The one place I would never imagine getting hurt is on vacation in an airplane," he said.

FMI: www.usairways.com, www.portseattle.org/seatac