Hello:

Let's say I was stuck on an airport tarmac for several hours. Let's also say the air conditioning AND the restrooms have malfunctioned. I'm sitting next to the emergency exit.

How much time would I have to serve if I broke out?

excon

It would probably be federal and fall under a minimum sentencing.

My guess 10 years

Ex, I've wondered the same thing, with some of the horror stories I've read, strange it's not been tested. I think I would be the man on the tarmac.

Excon - you'd have to change your name to Ex-excon, because you'd be in jall for quite a while. I bet the penalties for tampering with the operation of an airplane, disobeying the instructions of a flight attendant, trespassing on airport property (the tarmac that you're going to jump down to), violating FAA security rules, could add up to several years. Maybe a slick lawyer could get that reduced to a few months, but I bet that the powers that be (FAA, FBI, your friendly airline) would all want to throw the book at you. But it is an amusing thought..

Hello m:

Thanks for answering. What would be my crime? Oh, I'm sure they'll stack on several. I just can't imagine which ones.

More than that, I can't imagine people putting UP with that stuff, and NOT breaking out. IF the situation above happened to ME, you betcha I'm going to make a break for it. They'll probably shoot me, huh?

excon

Didn't those good-for-nothing bastards in Congress enact an "Air Travelers Bill of Rights (http://laist.com/2010/03/23/airline_passengers_bill_of_rights.php)", or something like that, recently?

Didn't those good-for-nothing bastards in Congress enact an "Air Travelers Bill of Rights", or something like that, recently?


Yep - but as the poor victims on that Virgin Atlantic flight found out last month when they were diverted from Newark to Hartford, that law doesn't apply to international flights. See: http://atwonline.com/aeropolitics-regulation/news/virgin-atlantic-passengers-stranded-hartford-runway-almost-5-hr-0623

Didn't those good-for-nothing bastards in Congress enact an "Air Travelers Bill of Rights", or something like that, recently?Hello lawyer:

I think so.. But, would it stop 'em from shooting me if I did? Nahhh.

excon

Hello m:

Thanks for answering. What would be my crime? Oh, I'm sure they'll stack on several. I just can't imagine which ones.

More than that, I can't imagine people putting UP that stuff, and NOT breaking out. IF the situation above happened to ME, you betcha I'm gonna make a break for it. They'll probably shoot me, huh?

excon

In the back. I'm sure not face face , Could be a fed reg about that

Didn't those good-for-nothing bastards in Congress enact an "Air Travelers Bill of Rights (http://laist.com/2010/03/23/airline_passengers_bill_of_rights.php)", or something like that, recently?

It more than likely enhanced their right to shoot you.

Exy, Let's say that you did manage to operate the door correctly, and the pilot has no lock on them, the inflatable slide would deploy( if it didn't you'd break both legs), terminating the flight, and temporarily disabling the aircraft. The airline cost would be considerable. I would be more worried about the fine, and recompensation, than I would be serving time. With good lawyers, and doctors, you'd get off with less than 6 months. But you would have eaten into your retirement fund .

My wife being a flight attendant, has seen many meltdowns in the last twenty plus years flying for a major carrier.

You'd be surprised at what people do, well maybe not YOU.

She told me one time she had to ask this woman to please stop breastfeeding on the plane. Passengers were complaining. She didn't have her child with her, and her breasts were getting "engorged", so she let her CAT have a snack. Yea, a damn cat.

I think we all agree that after 911, we should try to act respectfully while flying. But for an airline to hold passengers in a improperly ventilated aircraft for HOURS, is unacceptable. Hell, most anyone would freak out. And the jury knows that.

But what do I know?

What would you have done exy, if it was you sitting next to that lady? I think that you mind your own business.

And purr and meow.

Exie, my dear, why must you fly anywhere these days? Why not drive or take a boat or just use a canoe instead? Who wants to get more cancer from the full body scans anyway?

As far as penalties and jail time - if you DO do this and the media finds out about it (psssst be sure to call them up and let them know what you did do) you'll be too famous to put into jail due to the public outcry. Oh and be sure that ALL your friends picket the courthouse that day with signs held up saying don't put Exie in jail for something I'd do...

Or let me know where they are holding you and I'll come buy with a nice cake with a crow bar or heavy duty file baked inside. Actually if you were to eat the cakes I bake you just might want to eat the crow bar or file instead. (just joking).

I bet this frustrated (ex)flight attendant is going to find out what the penalties are for busting out of an airplane on the tarmac!

Passenger: Airline worker relieved after meltdown - Yahoo! News (http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100810/ap_on_re_us/us_flight_attendant_arrest;_ylt=ArJiJaUS0yVLKw979v _yZfFvzwcF;_ylu=X3oDMTJzMGdvYW43BGFzc2V0A2FwLzIwMT AwODEwL3VzX2ZsaWdodF9hdHRlbmRhbnRfYXJyZXN0BGNwb3MD MwRwb3MDMTAEc2VjA3luX3RvcF9zdG9yeQRzbGsDcGFzc2VuZ2 VyYWly)

So far he's been charged with criminal mischief, reckless endangerment and trespassing charges.

Hello e:

Yeah. I saw that this morning. I guess I'll get a REAL LIFE answer to my question. Cool.

excon