Drunk passenger sparks flight drama on Virgin Australia plane on way to Bali

[webfact]

AVIATION
Virgin says not a hijacking but an unruly passenger

Sydney - An unruly passenger and not a hijack resulted in a Virgin Australia passenger jet reporting a problem when it landed at Denpasar airport in Bali, the airline said.

A drunk person tried to enter the cockpit of a Boeing 737-800 flying between Brisbane and Bali, Australian national broadcaster ABC quoteda Virgin spokesman as saying.

"What happened was there was miscommunication," said Heru Sujatmika, a Virgin official in Indonesia. "It was a false alarm."


-- The Nation 2014-04-25

[webfact]

Drunk passenger sparks flight drama on Virgin Australia plane on way to Bali

A DRUNK Virgin Australia passenger has been arrested after causing a mid-flight emergency on a plane to Bali from Brisbane.

Sky News reports that a Virgin official said one of the passengers was drunk and he did not attempt to hijack the plane as first thought.

The Virgin Australia flight from Brisbane was forced to land in Bali after the 28-year-old male passenger attempted to enter the cockpit.

Air traffic control received a communication from the cockpit one hour into the flight, as the pilot broadcasted a hijack code.

“We got information that a 737-800 from Brisbane to Bali has been hijacked,” spokesman Hadi Tjahjanto told MetroTV television station.

“The pilot indicated that the plane has been hijacked,” senior transport ministry official Harry Bhakti said on MetroTV.

Full story: http://www.ntnews.com.au/news/national/drunk-passenger-sparks-flight-drama-on-virgin-australia-plane-on-way-to-bali/story-fnjbnxug-1226896183373?sv=f6c5c25e4f18fd673a80afa9146d7c16

-- NT News 2014-04-25

[Costas2008]

I started reading............Virgin says...........and I thought, where do they find them?

Then, I kept on reading..............disappointment.

[draftvader]

What I don't get is that the article states the "Brisbane to Bali" flight. Later on it states "...was forced to land at Bali..."....

but that's where its meant to land. How can you force a plane to land where its meant to land?

[webfact]

Arrest after Bali plane hijack alert in Indonesia

(BBC) A passenger who caused a hijack scare on a flight from Australia to Indonesia has been arrested at Bali airport, officials say.

A Virgin Australia official said a passenger had been handcuffed by the crew after acting aggressively.

Initial reports said the Boeing 737 had been hijacked and it was boarded by Indonesian troops after landing.

Virgin said the incident on the flight from Brisbane was a "misunderstanding" and the detained passenger was drunk.

The BBC's Karishma Vaswani in Indonesia said fears of a hijacking were caused after the pilot sent a distress signal to airport authorities.

Source: http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-27154139


-- BBC 2014-04-25

[somchaismith]

What would be wrong with alcohol free airplanes?

Surely, it wouldn't be too much to ask for passengers to go without for a few hours.

[lee b]

What would be wrong with alcohol free airplanes?

Surely, it wouldn't be too much to ask for passengers to go without for a few hours.

For some passengers who are afraid of flying, a few drinks really help to calm them down. I like a few drinks on a plane, but would not get blitzed like some passengers do.

[Calimotty]

Alcohol should not be used as an excuse for leniency for this thug.

Attempting to enter a flight deck carries severe penalties as the lives of other passengers and crew are at risk regardless of the motive.

[lee b]

Alcohol should not be used as an excuse for leniency for this thug.

Attempting to enter a flight deck carries severe penalties as the lives of other passengers and crew are at risk regardless of the motive.

100% agree with you

[brianlg]

Next thing we will have compulsory "BREATH TESTING" before being allowed to board ??? These drunken IDIOTS are a disgrace to ALL other Aussies ... and I am an AUSSIE ... who has been injured in 5 MVA's by FOUR of these IDIOTS ... and 1 prescription DRUG ADDICT ... and now have to live on a Disability Pension [lost 2 cars and my job] because of their DRUNKEN STUPIDITY !!!

LOCK them up [for a minimum 1-5 year term AND ban them from ever FLYING again !!!

I have no time for ALCHOHOLICS !!!

IF you must drink ... DRINK RESPONSIBLY!

[khunbillmex]

What would be wrong with alcohol free airplanes?

Surely, it wouldn't be too much to ask for passengers to go without for a few hours.

Let's see -a few hours:

Our up-coming trip BJX- LAX 3:35hrs

LAX-NRT around 9 hrs (after 2-3 hr wait in LAX) then around 2-3 hrs on the ground at NRT

and finally 5+hrs NRT-BKK arriving at 11:55pm

Although I'm 65 I'll be traveling with our 3.5 yr old twins. Should I set a good example or take a sip or two?

[Regyai]

What would be wrong with alcohol free airplanes?

Surely, it wouldn't be too much to ask for passengers to go without for a few hours.

Civil aviation rules state that the captain of an aircraft must not allow anyone on board under the influence of alcohol

Though smoking can be allowed with the captain's permission

Go figure

.

[monkey4u]

The poor dude probably thought it was the toilet

After all Virgin flights from Aus are pretty <deleted>

[slipperylobster]

What would be wrong with alcohol free airplanes?

Surely, it wouldn't be too much to ask for passengers to go without for a few hours.

For some passengers who are afraid of flying, a few drinks really help to calm them down. I like a few drinks on a plane, but would not get blitzed like some passengers do.

Nice theory...but this case proves different. I would say this man was, not at all, calmed.

I sympathize more with the pilot, who was obviously briefed not to take chances. After all, he may actually value his life and those of his passengers. Who needs another missing airline at the bottom of the sea?

[tubby johnson]

Quality tourists top 3:

1. Chinese

2. Russians

3. Arsetralians

[11alvin11]

What I don't get is that the article states the "Brisbane to Bali" flight. Later on it states "...was forced to land at Bali..."....

but that's where its meant to land. How can you force a plane to land where its meant to land?

Well said. The need for more sensible language reporting is required here.

[Benmart]

Next thing we will have compulsory "BREATH TESTING" before being allowed to board ??? These drunken IDIOTS are a disgrace to ALL other Aussies ... and I am an AUSSIE ... who has been injured in 5 MVA's by FOUR of these IDIOTS ... and 1 prescription DRUG ADDICT ... and now have to live on a Disability Pension [lost 2 cars and my job] because of their DRUNKEN STUPIDITY !!!

LOCK them up [for a minimum 1-5 year term AND ban them from ever FLYING again !!!

I have no time for ALCHOHOLICS !!!

IF you must drink ... DRINK RESPONSIBLY!

While I understand why you feel the way you do, I didn't read in this news article where anything was said about alcoholism.

From experience, drinking responsibly is not an option for an alcoholic, just as it not an option for a disabled person to get off their backside and get back to the workforce.

Assumptions are often wrong and I prefer to steer clear from making them. By the way, CAPS denote yelling and loose their relevance when liberally splashed about with wild abandon!!!???

[Lite Beer]

Virgin Australia drunk passenger arrested

A drunk passenger on a Virgin Australia aircraft bound for Bali attempted to break into the cockpit, forcing the pilot to declare the incident as a hijacking to air traffic controllers at NgurahRai International Airport before the plane landed in Bali on Friday afternoon.

HeruDjatmiko, head of NgurahRai office for Virgin Australia, was quoted by Metro TV as saying that the plane was not hijacked. The pilot used a signal that it had been hijacked to handle the drunk passenger, and Heru said that it was only miscommunication, not a hijacking.

The perpetrator, identified as 28-year-old Australian national Matt Christopher Lockley was arrested in a drunken state, and he allegedly attempted to enter the cockpit, Metro TV reported.

HerryBaktiGumay, director general of civil aviation, was also quoted by Metro TV as saying that the Air Traffic Control at the airport first received the signal and voice report from the pilot at 1:05 p.m. local time, adding that the plane was being hijacked when the plane was one hour away from Bali’s airport.

The plane, with 139 passengers on board, which originated in Brisbane, landed in Bali at 2:10 p.m local time, Metro TV reported, citing a military spokesman.

Source: The Jakarta Globe

-- Thai PBS 2014-04-26

[khwaibah]

Virgin Australia passenger that sparked flight drama on way to Bali denies he was drunk

http://www.perthnow.com.au/news/virgin-australia-passenger-that-sparked-flight-drama-on-way-to-bali-denies-he-was-drunk/story-fniztvnf-1226896183373

[NeilSA1]

Next thing we will have compulsory "BREATH TESTING" before being allowed to board ??? These drunken IDIOTS are a disgrace to ALL other Aussies ... and I am an AUSSIE ... who has been injured in 5 MVA's by FOUR of these IDIOTS ... and 1 prescription DRUG ADDICT ... and now have to live on a Disability Pension [lost 2 cars and my job] because of their DRUNKEN STUPIDITY !!!

LOCK them up [for a minimum 1-5 year term AND ban them from ever FLYING again !!!

I have no time for ALCHOHOLICS !!!

IF you must drink ... DRINK RESPONSIBLY!

While I understand why you feel the way you do, I didn't read in this news article where anything was said about alcoholism.

From experience, drinking responsibly is not an option for an alcoholic, just as it not an option for a disabled person to get off their backside and get back to the workforce.

Assumptions are often wrong and I prefer to steer clear from making them. By the way, CAPS denote yelling and loose their relevance when liberally splashed about with wild abandon!!!???

I think brianig's views on irresponible drinking is very strong, understandably so, given his past experience and current position. Have a little emphathy.

[y2k]

Virgin Australia drunk passenger arrested

A drunk passenger on a Virgin Australia aircraft bound for Bali attempted to break into the cockpit, forcing the pilot to declare the incident as a hijacking to air traffic controllers at NgurahRai International Airport before the plane landed in Bali on Friday afternoon.

HeruDjatmiko, head of NgurahRai office for Virgin Australia, was quoted by Metro TV as saying that the plane was not hijacked. The pilot used a signal that it had been hijacked to handle the drunk passenger, and Heru said that it was only miscommunication, not a hijacking.

The perpetrator, identified as 28-year-old Australian national Matt Christopher Lockley was arrested in a drunken state, and he allegedly attempted to enter the cockpit, Metro TV reported.

HerryBaktiGumay, director general of civil aviation, was also quoted by Metro TV as saying that the Air Traffic Control at the airport first received the signal and voice report from the pilot at 1:05 p.m. local time, adding that the plane was being hijacked when the plane was one hour away from Bali’s airport.

The plane, with 139 passengers on board, which originated in Brisbane, landed in Bali at 2:10 p.m local time, Metro TV reported, citing a military spokesman.

Source: The Jakarta Globe

-- Thai PBS 2014-04-26

Are rifles that useful on a plane? I would have expected small arms or at most a sub-machine gun.

[KonKorat]

he thought the cockpit door was the toilet door lol, being up in a plane he probably wanted to have a piss up

[lvr181]

Idiot Australian with stupid and lame excuse. Hope they lock him up for a few hours before sending home. He may "claim" a reason but it cannot be used as an excuse!

[Tchooptip]

He realised he was on the wrong plane he wanted to go to Phuket!

[thepool]

These drunken loons need a very hard slap, a very big fine and the passport removed for at least 10 years.

[MickGC]

Quality tourists top 3:

1. Chinese

2. Russians

3. Arsetralians

And where do your lot appear on the list tubby? If you're from that island just to the west of Europe I would not be getting too smug about it all. Never heard of travelling football hooligans?

[Frank James]

Is this guy what you Oz Brothers call a "bogan?" It's a funny word, and non-Oz like me don't know what it means, except maybe drunken idiot(?) Do you pronounce it BO-gan or bo-GAN?

You people are my favorite Non-Americans. When the shit(e) comes down, I'd want a few of you in my crew. No drinking til the fight's over, though.

[godden]

Aussies salt of the earth bless em, always good for a laugh.

[draftvader]

Virgin Australia drunk passenger arrested

A drunk passenger on a Virgin Australia aircraft bound for Bali attempted to break into the cockpit, forcing the pilot to declare the incident as a hijacking to air traffic controllers at NgurahRai International Airport before the plane landed in Bali on Friday afternoon.

HeruDjatmiko, head of NgurahRai office for Virgin Australia, was quoted by Metro TV as saying that the plane was not hijacked. The pilot used a signal that it had been hijacked to handle the drunk passenger, and Heru said that it was only miscommunication, not a hijacking.

The perpetrator, identified as 28-year-old Australian national Matt Christopher Lockley was arrested in a drunken state, and he allegedly attempted to enter the cockpit, Metro TV reported.

HerryBaktiGumay, director general of civil aviation, was also quoted by Metro TV as saying that the Air Traffic Control at the airport first received the signal and voice report from the pilot at 1:05 p.m. local time, adding that the plane was being hijacked when the plane was one hour away from Bali’s airport.

The plane, with 139 passengers on board, which originated in Brisbane, landed in Bali at 2:10 p.m local time, Metro TV reported, citing a military spokesman.

Source: The Jakarta Globe

-- Thai PBS 2014-04-26

I'll bet his balls shriveled up when those 2 turned up!

[AverageAussie]

Virgin Australia reveals new 'Priority Arrivals' service, going a step beyond 'Priority Boarding' with a fully-escorted service on arrival at your destination. Get fast-tracked right from the tarmac through to the terminal.

Available for Velocity Platinums and drunken bogan plumbers.