Gothamist: Man Claims Jet Blue Made Him Sit in Airplane Lavatory for Hours ($2 Million Lawsuit Included)

Jerky

Wed, 14 May 2008 03:50:37 -0500

Maybe the pilot was getting another round Gin and Tonics from the beverage cart.

babyhitler

Tue, 13 May 2008 18:32:16 -0500

I'm confused as to how the Pilot told this guy to do anything. Shouldn't the pilot be flying the fucking plane?

sonyactivision

Tue, 13 May 2008 17:03:30 -0500

The pilot needs to go drive a schoolbus. But this lawsuit isn't the slam dunk that guy is hoping for: the airline has already suffered the negative press fallout from this incident so a huge settlement isn't likely; if the pilot is fired, that's proof of fault, but also of mitigation;and if he needed to take a shit at any point in his excruciating free flight, that makes him contributory and the money gets cut in half. I wish him well, and I hope JetBlue gets bought by someone who knows how to run an airline.

Nick S

Tue, 13 May 2008 16:43:51 -0500

heres a brief rundown of what a buddy pass entails: it is not a confirmed seat, you have to fly standby. you still have to pay, but its a fee that's meant to offset fuel costs, so it depends on the length of the flight. here's the strange part about this story: jetblue employees, whether uniformed or not, get priority over buddy pass users. if there was only one seat open on the plane, it should have gone to the employee. she had to have gone out of her way to help the guy out and take the jump seat (which is very uncomfortable, but as a flight attendent, she really should presumably be used to it). what's puzzling is what made her have a change of heart mid-air.. i think there's more to this story than what is actually being reported.

waitwhat

Tue, 13 May 2008 16:08:16 -0500

This story is absolutely crazy. I'm wondering what the pilot thought what happen at the end of the flight. Did the pilot actually think that he wasn't going to get reported? How about the flight attendant? This story is so off the wall I'm thinking there *has* to be more to the story. Or maybe I'm just hoping that... WTF?!

rtd2101

Tue, 13 May 2008 15:03:01 -0500

I don't understand how this gets turned into an issue of this guy's nationality. You wouldn't be angry if somebody told you to "go hang out in the bathroom" on a flight, instead of sitting in your seat. "Go hang out in the bathroom"!?! For three hours? He may be lying...it'll be interesting to hear JetBlue's side of the story, but the longer JetBlue stays silent the more it seems that this guy's telling the truth. If he did something to provoke the pilot's action, why not just say that right away? The company is either concocting a story, or figuring out how to settle this quickly and quietly.

aberjona

Tue, 13 May 2008 14:52:59 -0500

It seems straightforward that the airline is at fault--regardless of who asked whom to do what--because they overbooked. Regardless of how a ticket is obtained, whether thru a buddy pass or a travel agent, it's a matter of capacity in the end. The airline admitted too many people on the plane. They're at fault.

Nick S

Tue, 13 May 2008 14:52:34 -0500

i'm an avid buddy pass user so just as an FYI thing, here's the terms and conditions sent along with the standard buddy pass email: 1. As a recipient of a space available pass (“Buddy Pass” or “Super Pass”), the JetBlue Crewmember (defined below) and the Pass Holder (defined below) agrees to be bound by these Terms and Conditions. Under these Terms and Conditions, the JetBlue employee that receives from JetBlue a Buddy Pass or Super Pass is known as a “Crewmember”, the recipient of the Buddy Pass or Super Pass from the Crewmember is known as the “Pass Holder”, and travel under the Buddy Pass or Super Pass is known as “Pass Travel”. 2. A violation of these Terms and Conditions may lead to any or all of the following: (a) suspension of Buddy Pass or Super Pass travel privileges; (b) termination of the JetBlue Crewmember; (c) criminal prosecution. 3. A Buddy Pass may be used by the Crewmember or may be transferred to and used by anybody the Crewmember chooses. A Super Pass may be used by the Crewmember to whom the Super Pass was issued or may be transferred to and used only by any person listed in their Eligibility Card on file with JetBlue at the time pass is used. Buddy Passes and Super Passes cannot be sold or bartered and have no cash value. If a Buddy Pass or Super Pass is lost or misplaced, JetBlue will not replace the Buddy Pass or Super Pass. Buddy Passes and Super Passes expire 12 months after the date of issuance of the Buddy Pass or Super Pass to the Crewmember. 4. Each Buddy Pass or Super Pass is valid for one (1) one-way space available travel between any two destinations JetBlue serves. For destinations requiring a connection, both flights must be scheduled on the same day or next scheduled flight to that destination city. A Buddy Pass or Super Pass cannot be used if there is a stopover or overnight stay. Buddy Passes and Super Passes may be used on any day of the week, at any time of the day. For flight information and listing, please call JetBlue Airways at 1-800-JETBLUE. Specify that you will be traveling on a space available pass. At check-in, your name will be added to the standby list. If space is available, JetBlue personnel will provide you with a boarding pass shortly before departure. 5. Pass Holder is eligible for space available travel (standby) only. Pass Holder is not permitted to reserve seats on any flight. If Pass Holder confirms or purchases a seat(s) for the flight(s) on which Pass Holder seeks to use the Buddy Pass or Super Pass, the standby listing becomes void, and Pass Travel for that routing (city pair) is void and is not permitted at all on that date. Refunds and credits will not be valid and any monies used to purchase revenue tickets will be forfeited. 6. Pass Holder is subject to removal for revenue customers or other space available passengers with a higher priority. If asked to de-plane, Pass Holder is required to do so quickly and quietly. 7. Pass Holder waives the right to denied boarding compensation, overbooking compensation, or any other compensation or damages if JetBlue is unable to transport Pass Traveler on flight of his/her choosing. 8. Where permitted by law, Pass Holder assumes all risks of personal injury, loss or damage to property, and releases JetBlue from all liability even where JetBlue is negligent, careless or may otherwise be at fault. 9. Pass Holder is required at all times to be discreet and professional during Pass Travel. Pass Holder must not draw attention to himself/herself. Pass Holder must not disclose to other JetBlue customers/passengers his/her status as a Pass Holder. Pass Holder must comply with all instructions of JetBlue personnel. 10. Pass Holder is required to dress appropriately and be well-groomed at all times during Pass Travel. Pass Holder is not permitted to dress in clothing that is ripped, dirty, or sexually provocative. It is within JetBlue's discretion to deny boarding to Pass Holders who do not comply with this Paragraph. 11. Pass Holder is required to provide positive government-issued identification during Pass Travel. 12. To the extent not inconsistent with the provisions herein, Pass Travel is governed by JetBlue's Contract of Carriage and International Passenger Rules Tariffs on File with the Department of Transportation. 13. Crewmembers are responsible for the conduct of the Pass Holder to whom they give the Buddy Pass or Super Pass. If the Pass Holder does not act in accordance with these Terms and Conditions, the Crewmember may be subject to, among other things, disciplinary action, including loss or suspension of pass privileges, time off without pay, or termination of employment. 14. We reserve the right to modify these Terms and Conditions at any time by posting updated text. You are responsible for periodically visiting this link to view any updated changes.

JacqueMehoff

Tue, 13 May 2008 13:37:04 -0500

why not? he's an authority figure. People have obeyed much worse orders.

facted

Tue, 13 May 2008 13:18:51 -0500

I agree if the pilot comes to your seat and tells you to do something, you generally do it. But there is no chance in HELL that the pilot told the guy to sit in the bathroom for a few hours. Think about it.

aerosolhalos

Tue, 13 May 2008 13:09:20 -0500

facted, if you disobey a direct order from any flight member, you're subject to arrest as soon as the flight lands. multhu did exactly what he should have done and he deserves every penny in this suit. the pilot should be fired.

Sinchy

Tue, 13 May 2008 12:23:53 -0500

facted, did you even read any part of the article? It was the Pilot who told him to move.

facted

Tue, 13 May 2008 11:47:09 -0500

I love how everyone just completely assumes that this story is even true. Let me see if this makes any sense to you: Someone comes up to your seat on an airplane and says to you "I'm tired, and I want your seat. Go sit in the bathroom for 2 hours". Not sure about you guys, but I would not budge an inch and I'm pretty sure passengers around me would get rather angry as well. This would NEVER happen.

Ganesh

Tue, 13 May 2008 11:37:19 -0500

JetWhite has a history of post-9/11 racism, the most famous case of which involved a Middle Eastern man who was denied entry onto a JetWhite plane simply because his t-shirt had Arabic writing on it. http://www.parkerstudio.com/AAW/JFK_story.html

Bizzle

Tue, 13 May 2008 11:37:08 -0500

I think jaja is two posts away from saying Americans should be seated at the front of the plane and anyone else be thankful for having a seat (as opposed to hanging on to the wing). Wow...aren't you edgy. This guy has a case. If for nothing else, the seat belt safety point. Flight personnel are not paid to be nice (unfortunately), they are paid to ensure everyone's safety.

jenspellnogood

Tue, 13 May 2008 11:33:14 -0500

they should have packed him in with the luggage, lucky to be allowed in the cabin with humans.

edEx

Tue, 13 May 2008 11:32:58 -0500

he will not walk with 2mil... he will take home, after law fees, $300-400K

Landor

Tue, 13 May 2008 11:32:29 -0500

I would hope the FAA fines JetBlue a quarter million for endangering its passengers. Beyond that, JetBlue should fire its captain and settle with Multo for $50,000.

mdowning

Tue, 13 May 2008 11:25:23 -0500

jaja, it was said once, and seems to be worth repeating: go die in a fire, you racist asshole. and it's worth saying, just for you, that america sucks in far more ways than it should.

mdowning

Tue, 13 May 2008 11:22:25 -0500

he's got a case and will win, no question. the pilot and attendant just lost their jobs, too. maybe it's time for jet blue to stop recruiting from the methadone clinic (no offense to his friend who got him the pass)? i can only imagine them doing an "emergency landing" and having the department of "homeland security" rough him up plenty had he protested, too. i don't think i could have avoided causing an emergency landing if i were in his shoes. jet blue seems to fuck up consistently, don't they? yeah, virgin does things right wrt service...

JacqueMehoff

Tue, 13 May 2008 11:13:41 -0500

Jetblue is really turning into a ghetto airline.

jaja007

Tue, 13 May 2008 11:13:06 -0500

With a name like Gokhan Multhu, you know he did something to deserve it. And WTF? He got a FREE TICKET. How many of his countrymen would give their third wife to be able to fly in America for free? He should count his blessings that he's in the USA. God bless America.

Jen S

Tue, 13 May 2008 11:12:11 -0500

Ugh, so nasty. He definitely should win this one. Whenever I use the restroom on a plane (or train, or bus), I hold my breath for as long as possible so as to avoid ingesting strangers' airborne poo particles.

al_fredo

Tue, 13 May 2008 11:09:05 -0500

Jaja: Nice. Your icon looks like a terrorist. Cowboys: It wasn't his fault that the ticket was free. The price he paid for the ticket is irrelevant. A passenger should not be forced to sit for 2-3 hours in a bathroom stall. Huge safety issue. If there weren't enough seats, he should not have been allowed to board. And it sounded like there were enough, just that the stewardess was uncomfortable. BTW...when was the last time you saw airline crew in actual customer seats? They have there own. If these are the facts, the guy totally has a case. Think if it were you. Would you suck it up in a stinky bathroom for 2 hours...for no legit reason?

Sinchy

Tue, 13 May 2008 11:07:20 -0500

This guy will win easily. The airline handed him a boarding pass with the seat # on it. He was entitled to a seat with a seat belt for the duration of the flight the moment the flight took off. The pilot was endangering his life and the others on the plane by not allowing him to sit in a seat with a seat belt. The pilot was also inconveniencing the other passengers by effectively shutting one of the lavatories. This isn't a matter of asking passengers to change seats as a pilot would have the prerogative to do if there was some thing that was disrupting cabin. The right thing to do would have been to tell the flight attendant "tough luck we f*^ked up and over filled the flight" and now you have to use the jump seat because only you are cleared to sit in that seat. The pilot just cost Jet Blue a butt load of money instead of maybe a first class voucher for the flight attendant. BTW flew Virgin America for the first time and boy is their customer service great.

jaja007

Tue, 13 May 2008 11:05:16 -0500

Thank you. I'm flattered you care so much about me. I love you too.

aerosolhalos

Tue, 13 May 2008 10:58:15 -0500

jaja007- please die in a fire, you racist asshole.

Rocknrope

Tue, 13 May 2008 10:57:48 -0500

Jaja is obsessed with seeing people's pictures and subsequently making snap judgements.

HowBoutDemCowboys

Tue, 13 May 2008 10:57:23 -0500

He wants 2 million because his seat wasn't exactly what he wanted on a flight that cost him nothing? Fuck him! Next...

thenamesdave

Tue, 13 May 2008 10:56:39 -0500

Inwood, NYC or Inwood, Nassau County?

Kelsey Grammer Police

Tue, 13 May 2008 10:53:28 -0500

"the guy looks like a terrorist" what? you are on crack jaja....

jaja007

Tue, 13 May 2008 10:46:46 -0500

You should have posted his picture. The guy looks like a terrorist, and if you saw him, you would understand why he was seperated from the passengers. I think this is one of those silly lawsuits that end up costing society in the long run.