Delta passenger arrested for bathroom trip
Delta passenger arrested for bathroom trip
An airline passenger who allegedly left his seat to go the bathroom less than 30 minutes before landing became the first person arrested under a new federal flight regulation adopted for the Olympics.
Richard Bizarro, 59, could get up to 20 years in prison on charges of interfering with a flight crew.
Bizarro was on a Delta flight from Los Angeles on Saturday when he allegedly left his seat 25 minutes before landing, despite two warnings from the captain to the 90 passengers to stay put as required under the 30-minute rule adopted for Salt Lake City by the Federal Aviation Administration.
Because of the incident, air marshals aboard the plane ordered all passengers to put their hands on their heads for the rest of the flight.
Good grief what a completely asinine law. 20 years for going to the bathroom. And making all passengers put their hands on their heads is over the top. Goodbye airlines. The skies are far from friendly, and not because of terrorists. Apparently, Bizarro was engaging in a little civil disobedience.
Authorities said a flight attendant instructed Bizarro to return to his seat immediately after he left the bathroom. She said Bizarro, who is 6-foot-2 and 220 pounds, ignored her orders and stared at her for about a minute before returning to his seat, according to the FBI.
The incident was seen by two of three undercover air marshals on board, the FBI said. One of the agents said he saw Bizarro give what appeared to be a “thumbs up” to another passenger as he returned to his seat, prompting the marshals to take control of the cabin.
We’re not going to take shit from terrorists, and we’re not going to put up with stupid and insulting laws. Americans have a long tradition of ignoring and flouting laws they find silly and arbitrary. This law is about as silly and arbitrary as it gets. Hopefully this incident will get some exposure and lead to some public backlash. Is this what the federalization of air safety is going to get us?
