Flight returns to Toronto due to battling passengers

[jimntx]

Well, at least we're not the only country with diverted flights due to drunken battling passengers.
 
 
http://news.yahoo.com/flight-returns-2-airline-passengers-030943625.html

 

[xUT]

Now this is stupid:
 

NORAD said it scrambled two CF-18 fighter jets based out of Bagotville, Quebec, to escort Flight 656 back to Toronto.
Major Julie Roberge, a spokeswoman for NORAD based in Colorado Springs, Colo., said the CF-18s met the aircraft at the Canadian border and did not venture into American airspace.
 

 

[jimntx]

That did seem a little excessive to me, but I figured it was just a standard policy for NORAD in Canada--in case the drunken women were supposed to be a diversion tactic for other terrorists.

 

[robbedagain]

just one question here...  if they truly endangered the plane as is written  then why not just divert to say either chs or sav or even jax?   they turned around over S.C. and flew back up to YYZ

 

[jimntx]

Might have something to do with the fact that the plane's destination was Cuba.  But, probably that the good people of Canada were concerned that the two drunken idiots might not get a fair shake in the U.S.

 

[robbedagain]

thanks jim   although if they had diverted to a US airport and given that their final was Havana  wouldn't they be allowed to continue  given they were already at cruising alt etc?   In the US they probably would of gotten a fine....

 

[jimntx]

Might have something to do with the fact that the plane's destination was Cuba.  But, probably that the good people of Canada were concerned that the two drunken idiots might not get a fair shake in the U.S.

I don't know (and really don't care) who gave me the negative vote on this last post, but the reality is that most of the world does not have a high opinion of the United States and/or it's courts and/or it's citizens.  Right or wrong, it's still true.  I was just recognizing that fact.

 

[robbedagain]

I think the opin thing has been like that for yrs  at least since the GW admin when he went into Iraq????   thanks again jim 

 

[xUT]

I don't know (and really don't care) who gave me the negative vote on this last post, but the reality is that most of the world does not have a high opinion of the United States and/or it's courts and/or it's citizens.  Right or wrong, it's still true.  I was just recognizing that fact.

That was me. Hit the wrong button.
Fixed it.
B) xUT

 

[jimntx]

You are forgiven, my child.  Go and sin no more.  

 

[FWAAA]

They're charged with endangering an aircraft, but the reality is that it was just a drunken girl fight.   They weren't really endangering the plane.   
 
My guess is that since the plane was headed to Cuba, there may have been a number of passengers who lacked visas to enter the USA, and ya never know when you'll get to take off again after a diversion, and the charter tour company probably prevailed in begging the pilots not to set down in the USA. 
 
Remember our nonsensical policy of deporting people to the country where we know they'll be mistreated most severely?   That may have played a part.