Narrative:

This passenger came on very late; as all the overhead bins were closed; I opened one for him; so he could put his large trekking type back pack at row 18/19; because he was sitting nearby. I said; 'sir; here is a place you can place your bag.' he then kind of swung it my way; as if I was to take it from him. I said; 'no; sir; place in here (pointing);' as he seemed just a bit off agitated; or just frustrated coming on late; and I thought he was late or flying on a pass; as we were preparing the cabin for departure (not thinking he could be detained; and a last minute decision about his behavior/or intoxication and whether or not he should be allowed to fly). I am not aware of this; but after speaking to a witness; who came forward later after the disturbance; who stated she was harassed by passenger X; I am wondering if that is why he was so late getting on. He also seemed a bit disheveled; but that is the only contact I had with him until the second/follow on service. I suspect that something happened in flight; either he had his own alcohol or used drugs; as he was only served one beer by flight attendant #3; I believe. The next time I had any communications with passenger X; was when I was trying to serve the passengers on the opposite of side of him and he kept on; in an obvious slurred speech in an aggressive tone; 'I want her to get me a drink!' he was extremely rude; impatient; and bordering belligerent. I didn't know if he had some physical problems or if he was intoxicated. At every request on the abc side; I turned and said; 'just a minute; I will be on this side next.' I repeated and kindly stated over and over; 'sir; it will be just a minute.' when it was his turn; he was almost inaudible and moving around saying 'get me a drink; I want a high can!' it was so hard to understand him; and I was trying to see this is the way he talks; or is he intoxicated. I said; 'you want a heineken beer; right?' as I remember seeing another beer that he had before (different brand); so I know he had at least one. I asked him if he had; had any alcohol before the flight; and again; slurred speech; agitated movement. 'He grumbled at me; 'no; no; I hadn't had no alcohol; no no!' with this remark; he appeared intoxicated; as I had not thought of drug use before; but what alarmed me; he had cigarettes on his tray table. I asked; 'sir; are you are aware that you cannot smoke at any time on the flight anywhere? Yeah; (again slurred; gruff; and agitated speech) I know; I know; I fly every day; every day!' like he wanted to hurt me with his words...a little startling. At some time; he pulls out a large wad of cash with large bills; when I am debating as I have the beer in my hand. Sir; you do know; since you fly so often; you cannot pay with cash; you can only pay with a credit card. At this time; he takes his credit card that apparently he had in his hand; an pushes it towards my face and says; 'see I have a credit card; see; see!' and repeats his words over and over. Now he is belligerent; and starts a scene and I get into my authoritative tone and say; 'do not be rude to a crew member; you need to calm down!' I repeated these words; and he started mocking me over and over. At this point I went up front to try and explain the situation; but I am not able to very well; as the flight attendant#1 only wants to hear a part of what has taken place; but at least he is not cowering away like most. I said; 'in good conscious; I cannot serve any one who appears intoxicated but I need for you to wait I need to finish.' I tried to explain; and told him that he also has a pack of cigarettes out which is another concern if he plans to...and off FA1 goes. I continued the service with #2; and I could hear a bit what was going on; and FA1 asking him as I did; if he would put those away so all would feel comfortable about it; but this request continued and continued...I heard 'because I asked you to so nicely.' I later learned that passenger X threatened to punch out FA1. Flight attendant# 3 came up to me; as she was picking up behind the cart; and she says; he wants to go to the bathroom and we both said; 'we cannot send him up towards the cockpit; not like this; intoxicated; and if he has those cigarettes. Then I see passenger X coming up staggering towards me with his iphone yelling and ranting in the aisle. As we were trying to finish at row 25-30 the last drinks; and his saying; I am recording you. Yelling this: 'they won't let me go to the bathroom; I am recording you; as he talks in the phone saying: 'they won't let me go to the bathroom!' I told him to calm down; and with my international stop sign; said to stop recording; it is a violation and repeated to stop; and that his phone needs to be in airplane mode (don't ask me why I said that; but anything at this point); and it is a federal violation (as he would not comply after repeated requests). I said; calm down; and sit down; as we will be out of the way soon. I twice requested to the #2 that we get this cart out of the aisle now; as I was concerned for my safety and the passengers; 'let's move it now; the red wine can wait; we will get that later!' get the cart out of the aisle; he is coming this way; quickly. As soon as we got the cart out of the way; passenger X sat down. I had spoken to one of the two men who were kind enough to block the aisle to the cockpit; as he asked can we get the marshal to assist or any on board. We did not have one; so it helped having them in the aisle; so that passenger X did not proceed toward the cockpit; as I noted what they were doing. I asked to repeat the same if this passenger continues this irrational behavior; or tries to go to the cockpit.we waited and he would not come back; so a passenger stated you need to go tell him that the cart is out of the way; because he may claim racism. I explained that I believe I need for him to calm down before I approach him; at this point; but we will get to that. She volunteered as she said he had been nice to her in the terminal area; and I said; I will be right here (close proximity); if she feels comfortable. (This is interesting; as we have volunteers who gave their name about how passenger X harassing them in the terminal as mentioned; and there was an extreme difference in the two ages). This female passenger approached him and I stood three rows behind; not in view. She said; 'oh; he seems so remorseful.' passenger X never came to the back restrooms; so I asked a passenger who is a [company] mechanic (same race) if he could identify himself as a [company] employee; and see if he would need to use the restroom; as I felt that he would be an approachable; not someone with a uniform on. He came to us; and said; 'he is definitely intoxicated; and he said he is okay; doesn't need to go to the restroom.' #2 and I discussed the fact that not until the cart was past his seat did he need to go to the restroom; and #2 stated that he remembers on the first service he made us move the cart for him. When I tried to tell the captain the situation in the aft area; I noted FA1 interrupting; so I let him speak; he would let me go ahead and he would talk over me; so I am sure the captain got partial; but the captain was aware there was definitely a disturbance and I was most involved. The one thing that was asked; 'do you think it is necessary to have the police meet the flight met?' yes; of course; and said why; level one; the filming; the violations; belligerent behavior; intoxication; and now I believe drug use. I know the disturbance form was given to him; and I knew FA1 had been threatened; and it was a definite need to have the police meet the flight; however; I was never expecting that the police would refuse to take my statement. I had not even gotten off the plane before the customer service manager wanted it closed out; the captain/and two flight attendants stated they were not pressing charges and the captain knew; and the #1 and #3 that I was involved. FA1 heard my conversation; at least what I was trying to state; of the threats the intimidation and the violations in back. The captain knew I was most involved; so to not to take my statement insults my needs; and possibly my civil rights. I was told by the police and tsa that I cannot press charges; as we have already closed out the incident; and we have released him to go to the next flight.we learned; as I was having a conversation with the police; since I was most insistent of having my statement taken and not be totally disregarded; as I was the most involved. I was only given a form with phone numbers that do not even work; however; it did provide me with the necessary information; as this man was not right (call it instinct) and no one wanted to listen. The captain stated the reason he did not press charges; is that he would have to call the fbi. The #3 said; 'she is used to her children saying [slur]!' and the 2 year flight attendant; FA1 appeared happy; but thought passenger X was not going to be able to go to his next flight; I may have misunderstood but that is what I thought he said; and that was not the case at all. Passenger X was allowed to go to his next flight to cause another disturbance on his flight. Police were called away and someone asked; 'is this for the same man?' it most certainly was; so passenger X we learned was removed from that flight and [company] gave him a voucher for a hotel; and rebooked him the next day.

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Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: Flight Attendant reported encountering an apparently intoxicated and belligerent passenger during inflight service. The passenger was restricted from flying on his next segment.

Narrative: This passenger came on very late; as all the overhead bins were closed; I opened one for him; so he could put his large trekking type back pack at row 18/19; because he was sitting nearby. I said; 'Sir; here is a place you can place your bag.' He then kind of swung it my way; as if I was to take it from him. I said; 'No; Sir; place in here (pointing);' as he seemed just a bit off agitated; or just frustrated coming on late; and I thought he was late or flying on a pass; as we were preparing the cabin for departure (not thinking he could be detained; and a last minute decision about his behavior/or intoxication and whether or not he should be allowed to fly). I am not aware of this; but after speaking to a witness; who came forward later after the disturbance; who stated she was harassed by Passenger X; I am wondering if that is why he was so late getting on. He also seemed a bit disheveled; but that is the only contact I had with him until the second/follow on service. I suspect that something happened in flight; either he had his own alcohol or used drugs; as he was only served one beer by flight attendant #3; I believe. The next time I had any communications with Passenger X; was when I was trying to serve the passengers on the opposite of side of him and he kept on; in an obvious slurred speech in an aggressive tone; 'I want her to get me a drink!' He was extremely rude; impatient; and bordering belligerent. I didn't know if he had some physical problems or if he was intoxicated. At every request on the ABC side; I turned and said; 'Just a minute; I will be on this side next.' I repeated and kindly stated over and over; 'Sir; it will be just a minute.' When it was his turn; he was almost inaudible and moving around saying 'Get me a drink; I want a High Can!' It was so hard to understand him; and I was trying to see this is the way he talks; or is he intoxicated. I said; 'You want a Heineken Beer; right?' As I remember seeing another beer that he had before (different brand); so I know he had at least one. I asked him if he had; had any alcohol before the flight; and again; slurred speech; agitated movement. 'He grumbled at me; 'NO; NO; I hadn't had no alcohol; NO NO!' With this remark; he appeared intoxicated; as I had not thought of drug use before; but what alarmed me; he had cigarettes on his tray table. I asked; 'Sir; are you are aware that you cannot smoke at any time on the flight anywhere? Yeah; (again slurred; gruff; and agitated speech) I know; I know; I fly every day; every day!' Like he wanted to hurt me with his words...a little startling. At some time; he pulls out a large wad of cash with large bills; when I am debating as I have the beer in my hand. Sir; you do know; since you fly so often; you cannot pay with cash; you can only pay with a credit card. At this time; he takes his credit card that apparently he had in his hand; an pushes it towards my face and says; 'SEE I HAVE A CREDIT CARD; SEE; SEE!' and repeats his words over and over. Now he is belligerent; and starts a scene and I get into my authoritative tone and say; 'Do not be rude to a crew member; you need to calm down!' I repeated these words; and he started mocking me over and over. At this point I went up front to TRY and explain the situation; but I am not able to very well; as the FA#1 only wants to hear a part of what has taken place; but at least he is not cowering away like most. I said; 'In good conscious; I cannot serve any one who appears intoxicated but I need for you to wait I need to finish.' I tried to explain; and told him that he also has a pack of cigarettes out which is another concern if he plans to...and off FA1 goes. I continued the service with #2; and I could hear a bit what was going on; and FA1 asking him as I did; if he would put those away so all would feel comfortable about it; but this request continued and continued...I heard 'because I asked you to so nicely.' I later learned that Passenger X threatened to punch out FA1. FA# 3 came up to me; as she was picking up behind the cart; and she says; he wants to go to the bathroom and we both said; 'We cannot send him up towards the cockpit; not like this; intoxicated; and if he has those cigarettes. Then I see Passenger X coming up staggering towards me with his iPhone yelling and ranting in the aisle. As we were trying to finish at row 25-30 the last drinks; and his saying; I am recording you. Yelling this: 'They won't let me go to the bathroom; I am recording you; as he talks in the phone saying: 'They won't let me go to the bathroom!' I told him to calm down; and with my international stop sign; said to stop recording; it is a violation and repeated to stop; and that his phone needs to be in airplane mode (don't ask me why I said that; but anything at this point); and it is a Federal violation (as he would not comply after repeated requests). I said; calm down; and sit down; as we will be out of the way soon. I twice requested to the #2 that we get this cart out of the aisle now; as I was concerned for my safety and the passengers; 'Let's move it now; the red wine can wait; we will get that later!' Get the cart out of the aisle; he is coming this way; quickly. As soon as we got the cart out of the way; Passenger X sat down. I had spoken to one of the two men who were kind enough to block the aisle to the cockpit; as he asked can we get the marshal to assist or any on board. We did not have one; so it helped having them in the aisle; so that Passenger X did not proceed toward the cockpit; as I noted what they were doing. I asked to repeat the same if this passenger continues this irrational behavior; or tries to go to the cockpit.We waited and he would not come back; so a passenger stated you need to go tell him that the cart is out of the way; because he may claim racism. I explained that I believe I need for him to calm down before I approach him; at this point; but we will get to that. She volunteered as she said he had been nice to HER in the terminal area; and I said; I will be right here (close proximity); if she feels comfortable. (This is interesting; as we have volunteers who gave their name about how Passenger X harassing them in the terminal as mentioned; and there was an extreme difference in the two ages). This female passenger approached him and I stood three rows behind; not in view. She said; 'Oh; he seems so remorseful.' Passenger X never came to the back restrooms; so I asked a passenger who is a [company] mechanic (same race) if he could identify himself as a [company] employee; and see if he would need to use the restroom; as I felt that he would be an approachable; not someone with a uniform on. He came to us; and said; 'He is definitely intoxicated; and he said he is Okay; doesn't need to go to the restroom.' #2 and I discussed the fact that not until the cart was past his seat did he need to go to the restroom; and #2 stated that he remembers on the first service he made us move the cart for him. When I tried to tell the Captain the situation in the aft area; I noted FA1 interrupting; so I let him speak; he would let me go ahead and he would talk over me; so I am sure the Captain got partial; but the Captain was aware there was definitely a disturbance and I was most involved. The one thing that was asked; 'Do you think it is necessary to have the police meet the flight met?' Yes; of course; and said why; Level one; the filming; the violations; belligerent behavior; intoxication; and now I believe drug use. I know the disturbance form was given to him; and I knew FA1 had been threatened; and it was a definite need to have the police meet the flight; however; I was NEVER expecting that the police would refuse to take my statement. I had not even gotten off the plane before the Customer Service Manager wanted it closed out; the Captain/and two flight attendants stated they were not pressing charges and the Captain knew; and the #1 and #3 that I was involved. FA1 heard my conversation; at least what I was trying to state; of the threats the intimidation and the violations in back. The Captain knew I was most involved; so to not to take my statement insults my needs; and possibly my civil rights. I was told by the police and TSA that I cannot press charges; as we have already closed out the incident; and we have released him to go to the next flight.We learned; as I was having a conversation with the police; since I was most insistent of having my statement taken and not be totally disregarded; as I was the most involved. I was only given a form with phone numbers that do not even work; however; it did provide me with the necessary information; as this man was not right (call it instinct) and no one wanted to listen. The Captain stated the reason he did not press charges; is that he would have to call the FBI. The #3 said; 'She is used to her children saying [slur]!' and the 2 year flight attendant; FA1 appeared happy; but thought Passenger X was not going to be able to go to his next flight; I may have misunderstood but that is what I thought he said; and that was not the case at all. Passenger X was allowed to go to his next flight to cause another disturbance on his flight. Police were called away and someone asked; 'Is this for the same man?' It MOST certainly was; so Passenger X we learned was removed from that flight and [company] gave him a voucher for a hotel; and rebooked him the next day.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site and automatically converted to unabbreviated mixed upper/lowercase text. This report is for informational purposes with no guarantee of accuracy. See NASA's ASRS site for official report.