I can tell you this, if I was set to be off on a holiday flight to Cuba and it had to be diverted because two women were fighting over leg room - or anything else for that matter - I would be none too pleased. If you're not adult enough to get along on an airplane and behave as such, then for everyone's sake - STAY HOME.
Maybe there aren't enough repercussions, I'm not sure, but more and more incidents seem to be creeping up, costing people time and money over foolishness.
Just over a week ago a United Airlines flight from Newark to Denver was diverted mid trip because two passengers got into a fight over legroom. Since then, two other US flights were "forced" to land unexpectedly because passengers couldn't get along. Legroom/seating issues also caused at least two other flight diversions earlier in the summer. Because there are so many incidents there's even a term for people getting irate over seats being pushed into their 'back' position - "recline rage."
Really?
Meanwhile in Canada... two women were charged during a recent flight to Cuba. The plane had to be turned around because they got into a drunken brawl. And that's just a few of the stories...
Where to begin?
Let's see. We all know what airplane seating is like. If you can't handle being packed in like sardines, either pay the extra for first class or don't fly at all. It is what it is and unless they start rebuilding all the planes, the next time we board a flight the seating situation will be the same.
You get the picture. There won't be much leg or elbow room. The person beside you WILL get up to use the washroom at the most inconvenient of times. They may have bad breath, body odour, or both. They may talk your ear off or have a screaming child on their lap. Who knows? Welcome to flying. It gets you from "Point A" to "Point B" a lot faster than a car and it reaches destinations you wouldn't otherwise be able to travel to.
Why can't people just grow up?
As far as the drunken ladies or anyone who over consumes... I say they should be footing a hefty bill for causing a plane to turn back. Eat, drink and BE MERRY but if you can't handle your liquor, don't drink. Ban people if you need to.
Until then, "recline at your own risk" seems to be the adage. Will people never learn? I guess that's a silly question.
