Airline passenger cited for remark about drinking

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Is this another example of airline flight crew overreaction? The purpose of
this arrest appears to be intimidation... another example of flight crew
arrogance? Passengers are not potted plants or cattle and should question
anything that may put them in harm's way and flight crews should be tolerant
of their criticisms, after all, the passenger is the one paying their
salaries. Many crews, especially in the cabin, want passengers to be quiet
and do what they are told and flight attendents treated them like
step-children.
  Should airline management be thanking the public for monitoring their
crews for alcohol abuse and other irregularities rather than trying to
muzzle them?

Greg


Associated Press Dec 24, 2002

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.

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