supertechguy

India's first-time fliers unruly

As first-time fliers take to India's skies, new budget airlines are reportedly dealing with all kinds of problems -- like passengers trying to open the doors while the planes are moving.

The Times of India cited a security report Friday saying that pilots had even had to make an emergency landing in one incident when passengers stood outside the cockpit disturbing them.

"First-time fliers are eager to know about the aircraft and complications first-hand as they would do in a train or bus," Siddhanta Sharma, the CEO of Spicejet, told the paper.

"But the safety implications for contacting pilots in a flying aircraft are far more stringent and can't be compromised."

"Last month, a passenger opened an emergency exit to soothe his nerves," said a study on internal security by a major airline, according to the Times.

"More recently, two passengers tried to open the doors of an aircraft while it was moving on the runway."

In another incident, passengers tired of waiting for their aircraft to receive clearance to land went and stood outside the cockpit, disturbing the pilots and forcing an emergency landing.

"Such unruly passengers are mostly first-time fliers and people who consider themselves important," the study said.

Female staff, who have to prevent the passengers from engaging in rowdy behaviour, often face the risk of assault as a result, it said.

• "A couple of months back, a passenger broke the arm of a lady airport staffer," a person connected with the study told the Times.
• "Sometimes female employees have their clothes torn by unruly people inside airports."
• Because of safety concerns, airline staff must be allowed to physically restrain the worst offenders, one aviation security expert said.
• "There are times when reason fails. The crew is then permitted to resort to the use of physical restraint," said Colonel B.P. Suman. "Some foreign airlines now carry on board plastic handcuffs for this purpose."

At least half a dozen carriers, including budget airlines, have taken flight in India in the past three years. The airline industry was previously dominated by two state-run companies.

Flying in India is already a taxing experience, with long lines, delays and cancellations common, particularly in the foggy winter. Increased air congestion has also meant longer wait times for take off and landing.

But the booming economy that has been increasing wages in this nation of more than one billion people means many people are flying for the first time in their lives -- and that has sometimes spelt chaos on board.

posted by techguy @ 1:53 PM