Stranger on board Nok Air flight without an air ticket or an ID card

[webfact]

Nok Air apologizes its customers for letting a man board its aircraft without a ticket

SONGKHLA, 7 April 2014 (NNT) - CEO of the local low-cost airline Nok Air, Patee Sarasin, apologized to his customers for letting a man without a ticket to board the plane last night in Hat Yai Airport in Songkhla Province.

The message was posted under the Twitter handle @Patee122 which also indicated that the company has met with police and the airport’s security officials to strengthen the safety measures, ensuring passengers that the airline would be stricter when inspecting document before allowing passengers to board its jet.

The message also underlined that such an incident would not be repeated and that safety is Nok Air’s top priority.

Meanwhile, the airline’s Facebook page made an announcement regarding the incident, echoing its CEO’s apology for its mistake and reiterating that the company has increased its security measures following the event and that the company would continue to place its passengers’ safety first.


-- NNT 2014-04-07

[fatdrunkandstupid]

Interesting that the Captain didn't request those security measure that the passangers wanted.

[scorecard]

<script type='text/javascript'>window.mod_pagespeed_start = Number(new Date());</script>

.....note to self: Do not fly on Nok Air.

To be fair, the blame for this one is not only on Nok Air, If you have been through Hat Yai, as I have frequently, it wouldnt be that hard for someone to get into the departure lounge without a boarding card, as most of the the airport security is not paying attention at the door who are supose to be checking ID's and boarding cards.

Once in the depature lounge, once a flight is called it's a mass stampede at the gate, because no one listens to the aannouncements for boarding by row, so can easily see how someone could slip through the ID/bording pass check and get on the jet way, and if one of the stewardess' doesnt check your boarding card while getting on the plane...your on board the plane

Not making excuses for Nok air, because they have screwed up big time, but they are not the only ones, airport security also has to shoulder some of the responsibility for this as well....multiple security check procedures had failed badly

Lucky that seat was taken as if it was empty then anyone could have been on it

To make it that far is defiantly cause for consirn

Like one said not just nok air security but the whole airport

Very very good point.

[unanimosity]

Security will be stepped up.

What does that entail exactly?

Is it one less hour sleeping during worktime?

Sounds reasonable. And perhaps, risking a loss of face for a passenger (oh no, not that!).

[unanimosity]

Nok Air apologizes its customers for letting a man board its aircraft without a ticket

SONGKHLA, 7 April 2014 (NNT) - CEO of the local low-cost airline Nok Air, Patee Sarasin, apologized to his customers for letting a man without a ticket to board the plane last night in Hat Yai Airport in Songkhla Province.

The message was posted under the Twitter handle @Patee122 which also indicated that the company has met with police and the airport’s security officials to strengthen the safety measures, ensuring passengers that the airline would be stricter when inspecting document before allowing passengers to board its jet.

The message also underlined that such an incident would not be repeated and that safety is Nok Air’s top priority.

Meanwhile, the airline’s Facebook page made an announcement regarding the incident, echoing its CEO’s apology for its mistake and reiterating that the company has increased its security measures following the event and that the company would continue to place its passengers’ safety first.

-- NNT 2014-04-07

Apologizing to passengers just isn't sufficient. Where are the FAA and other ruling bodies on this? Why is this airline not grounded? And, why is this airport not closed TFN? If these steps are not taken, how will other airports and airlines take security seriously?

Edited April 7, 2014 by unanimosity

[Jackson86]

I waa thinking of going to chiangmai next year and thought I would have to fly nok air, looks like I have to deliberate another airline.

[unanimosity]

So, why was the guy that boarded illegally released? Should he not be in jail? Ditto, the airport security checkpoint employees because that surely has to be a crime as well, letting unauthorized people aboard a plane.

[Kaoboi Bebobp]

My head is still spinning that the perp was released. Released?!?!?! He had no national ID, concealed his identity, trespassed, subverted airport security, subverted airline security, attempted to obtain service without payment, and probably broke several IATA regulations too.

[geovalin]

No need to worry, it's not like if Hat Yai was in a troubled zone.

[Fookhaht]

Have to laugh at Nok's announcement on the Kapook website "we apologize for any inconvenience of passengers…"

What a downplay.

Reading the account of how the passengers had to make multiple demands of the inept and apathetic crew, it should read "...we apologize for any near-panic and rage of the passengers..."

Say it like it is, Soothsayer!

[Fookhaht]

My head is still spinning that the perp was released. Released?!?!?! He had no national ID, concealed his identity, trespassed, subverted airport security, subverted airline security, attempted to obtain service without payment, and probably broke several IATA regulations too.

Maybe he was an AOT undercover agent, testing airport security?

Signed,

PollyAnna

[Rimmer]

Off topic post removed

[Lancelot]

As punishment, I'm certain that security personnel will be subsequently placed in "inactive" posts. That will teach 'em

[Guitar God]

Strangely enough I flew from Ubon to DMK on Friday and for the first time ever they had a desk with four employees checking ID's right before the entrance to security. This was two days prior to the incident in Hat Yai, not afterwards. Usually they just check your boarding pass and ID at the gate.

[sjjmmi]

As punishment, I'm certain that security personnel will be subsequently placed in "inactive" posts. That will teach 'em

Maybe given an Active post ? would need to work . . . . LOL

[SanukJoeII]

I guess that the guy would have not extended his stay in the plane, IF cabin crew would do what they have to do: COUNT!

Just took an inland flight UTH-BKK and back, Air Asia, and on both flights cabin crew went through the plane with a "ticker" that they click to get the total number of passengers. In that case they would have found one passenger too much. Just thinking.

But, after airport security blew it, boarding crew blew it, it wouldn't be a surprise if the cabin crew would NOT have counted the number of passengers.... and that, flying from an insurgent-rich zone where bombing is not breaking news anymore....

[lomatopo]

It's pretty easy to get air-side on the domestic side (albeit at SBIA/BKK, but I doubt DMK/HDY is much more secure). People staffing the entry/WTMD have never asked me for an ID and I just flash my boarding card, which can be printed out at home via on-line check-in.

But the gate reader should have flagged this pax - but maybe they don't use one and just hand-collect the boarding cards?

A recent incident in the U.S.:

Runaway Minneapolis boy, 9, hops flight to Las Vegas without ticket

http://www.myfoxtwincities.com/story/23622074/boy-boards-plane-at-minn-airport-without-ticket

[MaxLee]

"The problematic flight later left Hat Yai, several hours behind schedule and minus 20 passengers who were shifted to another flight.

As for the stranger, it was reported that he was escorted by police to a mental hospital for checks and he was later released."

Mental check, Mai pen rai, some tip tea money, case closed, business as usual. The typical Thai way of handling thieves and criminal murderers, like maniac mental I'll Moo Ham a few years ago...

[noodle]

Amazing. Fifteen years ago airline security was almost non-existant and it was not an issue.

Just shows the influence of propaganda and false flags.

[Craftsman258]

And it's a hassle to the passengers.

So is being hi-jacked, or a bomb going off at 10,000 feet while your drinking your bolly in first class....

But people still complain about security rules such as limits on liquids and OMG! A full body scan closely followed by "Why does it take so long to board" . Damned if they do and damned if they don't.

[Craftsman258]

I guess that the guy would have not extended his stay in the plane, IF cabin crew would do what they have to do: COUNT!

Just took an inland flight UTH-BKK and back, Air Asia, and on both flights cabin crew went through the plane with a "ticker" that they click to get the total number of passengers. In that case they would have found one passenger too much. Just thinking.

But, after airport security blew it, boarding crew blew it, it wouldn't be a surprise if the cabin crew would NOT have counted the number of passengers.... and that, flying from an insurgent-rich zone where bombing is not breaking news anymore....

It doesn't seem that they had reached the counting stage as people were still finding their seats according to the article.

[Vinny1967]

Did Nok Air just get lucky here....or was it something else.What are the odds of somebody sitting in your seat when there are over 100 empty seats on the aircraft. ?

[pookiki]

When I fly international on so called top rated airlines, I usually have to show my passport 5 times and my ticket 3 or 4 times between my arrival at the airport and getting on the plane. In each case the check is cursory. It is really annoying. I'd much prefer to have the security check done once thoroughly.

Good point! On more than one occasion, my girlfriend and I have mistakenly mixed up our tickets when boarding. Never a word when comparing the ticket to the passport. They're in a hurry and just are their to make sure you have a ticket. Probably the best think to do is to have some some form of security code on the boarding pass that could be scanned to match the person on the passenger manifest.

[Benmart]

When I fly international on so called top rated airlines, I usually have to show my passport 5 times and my ticket 3 or 4 times between my arrival at the airport and getting on the plane. In each case the check is cursory. It is really annoying. I'd much prefer to have the security check done once thoroughly.

I can understand the frustration having to show documents numerous times. However, the multi-layered checkes have some validity. One security person may be overwhelmed and miss a check, only to have it caught by another person doing checks further on.

The few minutes of inconvenience and "annoyance" going through these checks pales in comparison to the inconvenience and "annoyance" of an inflight incident due to a security lapse.

I am not in charge and the world does not revolve around me. When I get to the point where I think i am in charge or the world revolves around me, then maybe it's time to take a personal inventory.

[pookiki]

Did Nok Air just get lucky here....or was it something else.What are the odds of somebody sitting in your seat when there are over 100 empty seats on the aircraft. ?

I would say they got very lucky! If he hadn't made a fuss, then it is possible he could have slipped by altogether -- although I think the flight attendants are supposed to a head count prior to take off. Not sure how relaxed they are about that.

[Benmart]

The culprit was "escorted by police to a mental hospital for checks and he was later released"... This sounds like in invitation for future problems.

This person just commited 4 crimes that I can see

Why was he released ????

Perhaps released from the hospital into the waiting arms of the police? The article isn't quite clear as I read it.

[BKS22]

Having just flown Nok Air out of Phuket International and departing from that horrific gate 66 that's jammed into the right side of the domestic terminal....I can speak first hand how easy it would have been for someone to slip past the boarding pass check point.

If anyone is familiar or has flown out of gate 66A or B....and witnessed 2 flights trying to leave thru there at or about the same time then you'll know what I'm talking about. It's a complete cluster &lt;deleted&gt;*k! My Nok Air flight was departing with only a 15 minute difference than a Bangkok Airways flight! It was a total mess watching them trying to control the circus of people attempting to go thru and down that one walkway to the shuttle buses.

Edited April 7, 2014 by BKS22

[Jonmarleesco]

I'm amazed only 20 passengers chose to take issue with the airline, and to demand a change of plane. ALL the passengers should have been doing so, and vociferously.

[Showbags]

I'm amazed only 20 passengers chose to take issue with the airline, and to demand a change of plane. ALL the passengers should have been doing so, and vociferously.

they might not have all known, doubt they made a public announcement about it.

[Benmart]

Amazing. Fifteen years ago airline security was almost non-existant and it was not an issue. Just shows the influence of propaganda and false flags.

Amazing that Wikipedia has an interesting list starting with the 1930s on, of hijackings and other related "...propaganda and false flags".

I don't know what your interpretation is of "not an issue", but history seems to indicate that it has been and is an "issue".

History is there for those that look past their assumptions.