A Michigan man faces criminal charges after alcohol-fueled comments and physical contact surrounding the “mile high club” onboard his Spirit Airlines flight to Florida.
Man Accused Of Grabbing Flight Attendants In Mile High Quest On Spirit Airlines Flight, Then Demanding In-Flight Cockpit Access
47-year-old James Finnister had a very bad first flight. Here is what is alleged:
- The incident took place on Spirt Airlines flight 693 from Louisville, Kentucky (SDF) to Orlando (MCO) on January 9, 2024
- Onboard, Finnister asked the lead flight attendant if she wanted to join the “Mile High Club”
- Later on in the flight, Finnister grabbed another female flight attendant and pulled her into his seat, asking her as well if she wanted to join the “Mile High Club”
- The flight attendant immediately freed herself and reported what had occurred to the lead flight attendant
- Finnister also asked the flight attendant “several” questions about the cockpit (flight deck), including how to gain access to it
- In chatting with flight attendants, Finnister admitted to consuming several shots of alcohol prior to the flight to “calm his nerves”
- At one point, he laid down in the aisle, blocking the service flow and forcing flight attendants to pick him up and move him
- The flight did not divert, but law enforcement including Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) agents met the aircraft in Orlando and arrested Finnister
- Finnister was later released on bail and faces charges of flight crew interference and assault
Horrible, right? So typical of a Florida-bound Spirit Airlines flight, right?
Here’s the thing, though. As horrible as all this sounds, I’m actually open to cutting this guy some slack.
As he tells the story, this was his very first time flying (again, at age 47) and his nerves were frayed. Consider this happened earlier this week, with the Japan Airlines A350 crash and the Alaska Airlines 737 MAX 9 decompression event still fresh in memory. Flying is still statistically the safest means of transportation, but that doesn’t mean there is no risk involved.
Finnister says that he tried to lighten the mood after stepping onboard by asking,
‘This one of those mile high flights?’”
He claims it was not meant to be suggestive.
But while he has a clear memory of that, he disputes the other allegations onboard like grabbing flight attendants or laying in the aisle, arguing that such charges are “bogus” because he slept through much of the flight.
I have little doubt that Finnister did everything he is accused of doing. And he must be held accountable for that. But I do think he was probably highly anxious about flying and the alcohol, though not a defense, altered his state of mind to produce such conduct.
CONCLUSION
James Finnister faces charges of interference and assault for his antics on a Florida-bound Spirit Airlines flight, including asking alarming questions about entry into both flight attendants and the flight deck. I’m not calling for mercy, but I also understand that some people become very afraid to fly for the first time, especially if it takes 47 years to step on a flight…
(mug shot: Orange County Corrections Department // Hat Tip: View From The Wing)
Plea deal for lesser charge, community service, alcohol education, etc. On the “no fly list” until all of this is completed. Done.
The problem for this fellow is that he had priors.
Oh please no. While he may never have stepped onto a plane, he most certainly has stepped into a bar. One does not grab random women and pull them in your lap, or stretch out on the floor.
All actions have consequences. Being a fool is not an excuse.
Oh, of course…if one is afraid to fly, it is perfectly acceptable to attempt to sexually assault a woman. What kind of sick world do we live in?
The FAs were not sexually assault. That is a false accusation. It is alleged that he interfered with the duties of a FA. Read the court complaint, which there’s a link in this article.
At what point is there a class action suit against Spirit by the state of Florida for continuing to drop criminals off here?
Makes the same amount of sense as a CAS against Boeing for the Alaska flight.
Cut him no slack. Punish him with serious jail time [interfering with a flight crew, sexual assault, etc.] for his actions and make him an example for others. He chose to drink and chose to fly, even if it was his first time every or first time since whatever. He’s of legal age so he’s responsible for his drinking and his assaults.
The pattern of judicial leniency shown to disruptive passengers obviously hasn’t been a deterrent to others. Once there’s a pattern of these miscreants getting serious jail time — and serious disruption to their lives with lose of jobs, etc. — things MIGHT change. But it has to be a serious pattern of jail time for the lesson to be learned.
To me, the big question is about this quote…
“Later on in the flight, Finnister grabbed another female flight attendant and pulled her into his seat, asking her as well if she wanted to join the “Mile High Club’ ”
How forceful was the grabbing? If it wasn’t too forceful, the rest was verbal and not yelling they should let it go and not go to trial.
derek, the next time you experience any unwelcome touching, please come back and tell us how that felt.
derek, you obviously don’t have a mother, sister, wife, girlfriend or daughter.
Are you suggesting 15 years in prison for grabbing an arm? Flight attendants can be highly accusatory so I reserve judgment. Look at Matthew. A United FA accused him of being a terrorist for taking photos and the captain sheepishly backed her up.
@derek.
As I remember Matthew’s narrative, he never grabbed nor touched a flight attendant, and pulled her into his lap and suggested a sexual gathering. Correct me if I am wrong.
But he was accused of being a terrorist. Terrorists kill a lot of people.
Don’t get me wrong. The accused man is likely very bad but I have not seen enough information to be certain beyond a reasonable doubt.
Enter the plane mute and leave it mute. How difficult is that?
ADX Florence!
30 years solitary. 1 shower every 2 weeks. 1 roll of TP every 2 months. 1 pair of underwear washed every 2 weeks. No other clothes washed
His conduct is entirely over the top and an example should be made of him
Yes, the conditions this man deserves are a little more harsh than those in Attica in the good old days
The incident took place on Spirt Airlines
he laid down in the aisle
or laying in the aisle
He’d remember in detail anything sexually he does. Hope he serves some time. No fly list too.
In the “Glory” days of airline flights, gate agents would stop a person, who appeared to be under the ifluence1 from boarding. In todays violent, confrontational world, this problem has been le1f1t11 to the cabin crewand endangers everyone.
Sad to hear you’d “cut him some slack” as you put it!!! Flight attendants have the right to do their job and not be sexually harassed. Whether it was his first flight or 50th flight, that is unacceptable behavior!!!! He should do some jail time, perhaps that will help him and you realize there are consequences for illegal actions.
I feel bad if it was his first flight and he truly was scared, which is not usually an element of these sorts of cases. That doesn’t mean I think he should get anything less than a stiff prison sentence and fine. Actions have consequences.
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