Tag Archives: flight diversions

CONGRESS MULLS STIFF PENALTY FOR PASSENGERS CAUSING FLIGHT DIVERSIONS OVER LEGROOM ISSUES

imageWashington, D.C. (The Adobo Chronicles) – In just the last couple of weeks, three U.S. airline flights were diverted and delayed due to issues involving irate passengers making a big fit over legroom.

In the latest incident, a Delta Airlines flight from New York’s LaGuardia Airport to West Palm Beach, Florida, was forced to land in Jacksonville, Florida, after a passenger became violent when the woman sitting in front of her tried to recline her seat.

To curb the growing reclining seat incidents on board U.S. flights, a bill has been proposed in Congress to set a very stiff penalty to any passenger who causes a flight delay or diversion.

House  Speaker John Boehner said that these diversions are costing taxpayers a lot of money while inconveniencing flight travelers, especially Republican legislators and lobbyists who have to make frequent trips to and from Washington, D.C. as well as to their local districts to attend political fundraisers.

When asked about the penalty, Boehner said, “Anyone found guilty of a legroom-related flight diversion will be put on a plane to Japan and back, strapped to the middle seat of a plane chartered by Sumo wrestlers.

The proposed bill appears to have full bi-partisan backing.