We just learned that incidents of in-flight disorderly conduct have dropped 80% since their peak in 2021, according to the Federal Aviation Administration. A recently publicized incident from 2021 involving a lady in red on Southwest Airlines in Florida is a good reminder of why everyone seems to be calmer on board commercial flights these days.
Hoping to avoid arrest after a Southwest Airlines flight, she said, “Officer, I will do ANYTHING for you.”
A Florida woman was arrested for refusing to exit the jetway at Orlando International Airport (MCO) after she got into trouble on her Southwest Airlines flight, allegedly for refusing to wear a mask. This incident occurred late on February 13, 2021, right at the height of the pandemic and during a time when the federal government had implemented a mask requirement on board all commercial flights for all passengers ages three and older.
The Orlando Police Department’s body camera footage captured much of the encounter, but not what happened on board or in the moments after the flight before her arrest. From what I understand, she was not wearing a mask on board and was informed by Southwest that she was banned from future travel. She apparently changed her mind and tried to verbally talk her way out of the ban… on the jet bridge of the 737.
But such arguments often go in circles, and when she refused to leave, the police were called. She was again asked to leave, but she again refused, saying she would call her lawyer instead. At that point, she was handcuffed and arrested.
The woman seemed genuinely surprised that she was actually being arrested… and when she was, she quickly changed her mind. Over the next few minutes (in a video that is quite painful to watch), she said:
- Demands to speak to her lawyer
- Accuses the police of injuring her
- Ask for forgiveness and to be let go
- Apologizes for her behavior
- Complains that she is all alone on Valentine’s Day
- Looks at the male police officer and says rather suggestively: “Officer, I will do anything for you… I will do anything. Please look at me, please!”
She was led down the stairs to the tarmac where her ID was checked. The officer rebuffed her advances and she was arrested. It’s not clear who she was, what happened to her, or why this 2021 video has only now surfaced, but it reminds me of the “good old days.”
Seriously, it seems clear to me that the onboard mask requirement and the lack of alcohol were two very direct causes of the massive increase in disorderly behavior during the pandemic era. I don’t mean to justify anyone getting upset because they didn’t want to wear a mask… but I’m pretty happy to see that most people have calmed down.
And as for the lady in red, I hope she didn’t have to spend Valentine’s Day alone…
