An American Airlines flight crew was robbed at gunpoint enroute to the airport in Costa Rica.
American Airlines Flight Crew Robbed At Gunpoint
View from the Wing shares the timeline of events:
- The incident occurred to the crew of AA1204, set to depart San José, Costa Rica (SJO) for Miami (MIA) yesterday morning at 5:20 a.m.
- Crewmembers left their hotel via shuttle at 3:40 a.m.
- The van ran over a “plastic box” in the road, likely placed there deliberaty
- When the driver pulled over to clear it from underneath the vehicle, a man jumped into the drivers seat with a knife
- He demanded the mobile phones and other electric devices of the flight crew
- He did not take wallets
- Another man, armed with a gun, opened the van’s sliding side door and
- He held a gun to the heads of crewmembers until everyone turned over their electronics
- The gunmen left without injuring anyone
- The shuttle driver drove the crew back to their hotel
An American Airlines spokesperson noted:
We are aware that our crew members unfortunately fell victim to a crime while en route to Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO) on March 16. Our security team is in close contact with local law enforcement and have acted quickly to implement enhanced measures to ensure the safety of our team members.
No further details were provided.
The Forward Cabin notes that AA will cover the loss of any items stolen:
I believe AA is also covering the loss of any items that were stolen as well, from what I understand (as they should).
— Jamie Larounis (@TheForwardCabin) March 17, 2021
CONCLUSION
What a scary way to start your day. I’m so thankful the crewmembers are safe. Cell phones and iPads can be replaced. Lives…not so much. It’s also very sad that this occurred in Costa Rica, the most developed country in Central America and also thought to be the safest. Then again, it could happen anywhere. Stay safe out there.
And you wanted to go to Centra America. Costa Rica was the best of all the ones you wanted to visit.
But were they masked?
@Matthew: did you miss this today? One more for your mask posts.
https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.bostonherald.com/2021/03/17/john-kerry-caught-without-a-mask-on-boston-to-dc-flight/amp/
Tomorrow!
At least the American taxpayer was not mugged at gunpoint during the bailouts.
Too soon?
As global economic conditions continue to unwind, criminals will pick the low hanging fruit. It is time for all US Carriers to begin to provide ample security for Crews or simply stop all foreign layovers. After 32 years I have little desire to visit these third world hell holes any longer. In any country where guns are restricted only criminals will have them. I really have zero interest going anyplace without being armed. I had a RON in midtown NYC last week and the conditions on the street were “dangerous” I was accosted 6 times in 2 blocks. If I was in a free state it would not have been an issue because I would have ventilated any threats. 30 years ago I felt no threat at any international destination. Things change. I would put even odds the driver was in on this latest robbery. Give me 5 minutes with him and I can tell you exactly who was involved.
The driver was definitely the inside man! All drivers know NOT to stop for distractions like a “plastic box”! You keep on driving, and get the hell outta there!!!
this type of occurance was a “normal” here in Venezuela – it got to the point that either a) flight crew were not allowed to overnight, they would fly in the am and depart back out hours later or b) airline(s) themselves simply ceased service to Venezuela due to security concerns (prior to the Trump admin ordering all U.S. airlines to cease servicing Venezuela, part of the sanctions).