A passenger responded to instruction to wear a mask during flight by smoking a cigarette onboard instead. That forced a flight diversion and arrest.
Balvir Singh was flying WestJet from Vancouver (YVR) to Toronto (YYZ) last Sunday on WS706. Reports indicate he became “unruly” during the flight and refused to put on his facial mask. After being admonished that a mask was obligatory, he responded by lighting up a cigarette and refusing to extinguish it.
Faced with his uncontrollable behavior, the captain opted to divert the flight to Winnipeg (YWG). On the ground, Singh was arrested by Manitoba’s Royal Canadian Mounted Police. He becomes the first Canadian thrown off a flight for refusing to wear.
Singh faces three charges of mischief and failing to comply with flight crew, which carry a fine up to C$13,000 (~$9,550).
On June 14, a flight from Vancouver to Toronto was diverted to Wpg due to an unruly passenger. The male lit a cigarette & refused to wear his face mask. Balvir Singh has been charged with Mischief & Failing to comply with Flight crew x3 (fines of up to $13,000). #rcmpmb
— RCMP Manitoba (@rcmpmb) June 18, 2020
After dropping Singh off, the flight continued to Toronto. WestJet said:
“We sincerely apologized for the delay and interruption to our guests’ travel plans who were affected by the diversion and unfortunate situation.”
That was diplomatic…
WestJet is not serving alcohol right now onboard, so that does not appear to be the problem.
CONCLUSION
I bring this story to your attention because it went beyond just wearing a mask. Instead, anger over wearing a mask seemed to trigger even more defiance, leading the man to smoke a cigarette onboard. That should not dampen our efforts to control the virus as best we know how, including by masks. But we should all be prepared for more stories like this as many are not responding joyfully to onboard mask requirements.
The Great Mask War of 2020 has crossed the border into Canada. Must be foreign Trumpist sympathizers defying their own rules in solidarity of their brethren maskless freedom fighters in America, who wage this battle with only a simple rally cry to guide them, “MY BODY, MY CHOICE!”
This masked ball hysteria is far more about authoritarian compliance and submission then about health. Things are miserable.
Not hysteria. Countries with high mask use have low Covid death rates.
High mask use: Taiwan, Singapore, Japan, Germany.
Medium: USA, Spain
Low: Brazil, Italy (at first), Peru
Denmark has zero mask usage and far better death rates than almost anywhere. Try again.
It’s mostly about compliance and showing off. The insufferable male Karen on that other blog is prime example number one.
Will be interesting to hear all about the “Tulsa super-spreaders” in 2 weeks
Correcting myself – Tulsa arena is only 1/2 full tonight, supposed overflow outdoor area deserted. MAGAaaaahhhhhhnoooooo hello Prez Biden!
I’m not sure when giving a sh*t about other people amounted to authoritarian compliance. What a screwed up world you live in.
Of course, today you are an epidemiology expert. Last week, you were telling us all about climate change being a Chinese hoax. The month before, you implied you were a constitutional scholar.
I really wonder why Ive paid taxes to give you a free education. You arent educated and you are a piss-poor citizen. Put on your mask and cover your piehole
The Captain should have asked for and given permission by Westjet in Calgary to have the FA put her/his knee on Singh’s neck for 3 minutes, which is less than George Floyd’s 9 min, then made bloodied like Dr. Dao once they landed. While false arrest can be an issue, there is no question that Singh is guilty.
Covid19 is so serious that Justin asked Trump to shut the border, not vice versa.
Ridiculous comment – hope you don’t think it is “humorous”.
I think what reader derek suggested was very appropriate. Why didn’t the flight attendants or the passengers smack him until the cigarette falls out of his mouth/lips? Women, if you happen to seat next to this stupid Indian jerk, please feel free to use the food tray, high heel shoes to smack his head. What a future Bollywood star!
One kid (26) in my office opted to go partying with his friends then came into work the next day. Lost his sense of smell and taste; got tested; came back COVID positive;is in the hospital on a respirator… seven days from start to finish. Now I have 12 people in quarantine. But, the kid got to express himself and his independence from the tyranny of basic common sense. He will be dismissed with prejudice, because we don’t need more stupid.
I don’t blame you.
Firing an employee for getting sick is a straight ticket to hell, though.