Airlines

A toy dinosaur got first-class treatment on a Southwest Airlines flight (Video inside)

To ensure that one young boy’s favorite possession received VIP treatment, Southwest Airlines staff in California went above and beyond. Glo Jones, who has worked as a bag checker at Burbank Airport in California. She said that she had never seen something like this a toy with a dinosaur that to the size of a small child.

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While on vacation, 8-year-old Rowan Francois acquired the toy thinking about how to get him home.

It’s nearly as large as I am, he remarked. “The entire time, I felt it was going to shatter.” Bryant Cisneros, a baggage handler for Southwest Airlines, and his coworkers were focused on preventing the toy from breaking.

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It wasn’t in the box, so taking care of it was our main concern, he explained. When loading the dinosaur in the bin, we placed it in the central bin. Then gave the cart to it and brought it to the gate.

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Airlines

A Costly Mistake: Passenger Pays for Fuel After Disruptive Flight

A Western Australian man has learned a costly lesson after his unruly behavior on a flight resulted in the aircraft having to turn back. The passenger was ordered to pay over $5,000 in fuel costs, along with a significant fine, for causing the plane to divert.

The incident occurred in September 2023 when the man, who was not publicly named, became disruptive on a flight from Perth to Sydney. Due to his behavior, the pilot was forced to turn the plane around and return to Perth, which required dumping fuel to land safely.

The passenger pleaded guilty to charges of disorderly behavior and non-compliance with safety instructions. As a result, he was ordered to pay $8,630 to the airline to cover the cost of the wasted fuel and was also fined $6,055. This combined penalty of over $11,000 is a stark reminder of the severe consequences of disruptive behavior on flights.

While this is not a typical punishment, other cases of in-flight misconduct have resulted in hefty fines. One passenger in the United States was fined over $40,000 for a series of offenses, including bringing their own alcohol on board, being intoxicated, attempting to smoke marijuana, and sexually assaulting a flight attendant.

The Australian Federal Police emphasized that disruptive behavior on flights will not be tolerated. They warned that individuals who cause disturbances can face significant financial penalties and legal consequences. The case of the Western Australian passenger serves as a clear message that obeying airline staff and adhering to safety regulations is essential for a smooth and safe flight.