Gregory Alexander is in a lot of trouble. The 82-year-old Florida man was charged with battery and interference with aircraft operations after hurling racial slurs and taunts at an American Airlines FA, then jabbing her with his finger.
The problem arose when Alexander attempted to return to his seat after using the lavatory. Flight attendants were serving beverages in the aisle, trapping him rows behind his seat.
Alexander began poking the back of one FA, also allegedly hurling racial epithets at her. When she told him to stop, he quipped:
You’re too big for this job! You’re too fat for this, overweight!
He managed to forcibly slide past her and returned to his seat. It’s not clear if he created any more disturbances during the flight, but upon landing authorities met the flight. Alexander was arrested and charged with battery and interference with aircraft operations.
Any guesses as to whether alcohol is involved? “Rudolph” Alexander, pictured above, has been released on $1,000 bail with a court appearance scheduled for June 26th.
The AA flight was bound from Philadelphia (PHL) to Ft. Myers / Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW). American only runs mainline service from PHL-RSW, so this was a mainline aircraft. Honestly, I’m surprised this wasn’t Frontier…
CONCLUSION
What horrible behavior. I hope AA bans Alexander for life for his disgusting actions.
Arrest report here.
image: Lee County Sheriff’s Office
“Interference with aircraft operations”? Overreaction. Battery ( if it’s true) is understandable. Every time one of these cases reaches the legal system, it provides succour to the power-crazed FAs who initiate these overly zealous responses.
Maybe (probably) the guy’s a racist creep who overstepped…but that’s what he should be charged with.
The possibility exists that there’s some dementia at play here. No excuse, but (sort of) mitigating circumstances,
While I do not excuse the way this gentleman handled the situation, this is a frustrating problem that I also sometimes encounter. Would the airlines consider keeping the seat belt sign on or otherwise controlling unnecessary access to the aisle when the carts are out? I’m also curious how overweight the FA was (was she obese?)
WTF does it matter how big she is!? That’s completely inappropriate behavior and every time a passenger gets up to use the lav while the carts are put, you risk that chance of being stuck in the galley until the FAs are done with service.
Are you retarded?
Your use of the r-word is equally offensive.