# Stuck on Plan - Penalty for Escape/outbursts **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [September 22, 2009, 6:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stuck-on-plan-penalty-for-escape-outbursts/511115 "2009-09-22T18:58:00Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Bone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bone/32/407_2.png) [@Bone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bone)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2009, 6:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stuck-on-plan-penalty-for-escape-outbursts/511115/1 "2009-09-22T18:58:00Z")
In recent news, there have been incidents where passengers on a US plane are not allowed to leave for various reasons such as equipment repair, gate security, or other scheduling problems. This has lasted in excess of 5 hours or more on occasion. The question is, what would be the penalty if a person opened the emergency doors? If they caused a disturbance? In some cases, bathrooms were full and food and water were exhausted. What if you were to attempt to compel the crew to allow you to exit by defficating in the aisle or relieving otehr bodily functions? What could you be convicted of? ---
**Author:** ![Bone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bone/32/407_2.png) [@Bone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bone)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2009, 7:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stuck-on-plan-penalty-for-escape-outbursts/511115/2 "2009-09-22T19:00:38Z")
Of course, the title should be “stuck on Plane” ---
**Author:** ![Kent\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kent_clark/32/105_2.png) [@Kent\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kent_Clark)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2009, 7:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stuck-on-plan-penalty-for-escape-outbursts/511115/3 "2009-09-22T19:25:57Z")
Interfering with the flight crew. [Up to 20 years in federal prison.](http://www.usdoj.gov/usao/eousa/foia_reading_room/usam/title9/63mcrm.htm#9-63.110) And let’s say you get the cabin door open and jump to the ground. Where are you going from there? Now you’re subject to the local jurisdiction. ---
**Author:** ![TruCelt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/trucelt/32/523_2.png) [@TruCelt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TruCelt)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2009, 7:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stuck-on-plan-penalty-for-escape-outbursts/511115/4 "2009-09-22T19:53:02Z")
The crew OTOH can be held guilty of false imprisonment. 'Twere it me, I’d call 911 and demand to be rescued. Then I’d call the local TV stations, because we all know that bad publicity will motivate the airlines far faster than mere legalities. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2009, 8:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stuck-on-plan-penalty-for-escape-outbursts/511115/5 "2009-09-22T20:00:01Z")
> [@kunilou](#): > > And let’s say you get the cabin door open and jump to the ground. Where are you going from there? Now you’re subject to the local jurisdiction. I don’t think you’d need to jump to the ground, because unless the doors were disarmed, the emergency slide would pop out. You’d most likely be responsible for paying to have it restored. This is according to Patrick Smith, the “Ask the Pilot” columnist for [Salon.com](http://Salon.com), who also [suggests](http://www.salon.com/tech/col/smith/2007/02/22/askthepilot222/index1.html) that you’d probably get hurt going down the slide and “the airport police would be extremely unhappy” with you. ---
**Author:** ![Tastes\_of\_Chocolate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tastes_of_chocolate/32/3232_2.png) [@Tastes\_of\_Chocolate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tastes_of_Chocolate)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2009, 8:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stuck-on-plan-penalty-for-escape-outbursts/511115/6 "2009-09-22T20:10:44Z")
> [@kunilou](#): > > Interfering with the flight crew. [Up to 20 years in federal prison.](http://www.usdoj.gov/usao/eousa/foia_reading_room/usam/title9/63mcrm.htm#9-63.110) Reading that link, it refers to: > [@](#): > > The statute applies to any “individual on an aircraft in the special aircraft jurisdiction of the United States who, by assaulting or intimidating a flight crew member or flight attendant of the aircraft, interferes with the performance of the duties of the member or attendant or lessens the ability of the member or attendant to perform those duties.” From a[US gov site](http://www.usdoj.gov/usao/eousa/foia_reading_room/usam/title9/crm00001.htm) > [@](#): > > To be within the “special aircraft jurisdiction of the United States” the aircraft must be “in flight.” What is the definition of “in flight”? Is a plane sitting on the tarmac at a closed airport “in flight”? So what if I am sitting in an exit row, and while there are no flight crew around, I calmly reach over and open up the emergancy exit. No contact at all with the crew. Have I run afoul of the above? ---
**Author:** ![Kent\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kent_clark/32/105_2.png) [@Kent\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kent_Clark)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2009, 8:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stuck-on-plan-penalty-for-escape-outbursts/511115/7 "2009-09-22T20:56:07Z")
> [@Tastes\_of\_Chocolate](#): > > What is the definition of “in flight”? Is a plane sitting on the tarmac at a closed airport “in flight”? [http://vlex.com/vid/sec-definitions-19260879](http://vlex.com/vid/sec-definitions-19260879) > [@](#): > > In this chapter - (1) “aircraft in flight” means an aircraft from the moment all external doors are closed following boarding - (A) through the moment when one external door is opened to allow passengers to leave the aircraft; or (B) until, if a forced landing, competent authorities take over responsibility for the aircraft and individuals and property on the aircraft. > [@](#): > > So what if I am sitting in an exit row, and while there are no flight crew around, I calmly reach over and open up the emergancy exit. No contact at all with the crew. Have I run afoul of the above? If you want to claim that opening an emergency door isn’t interfering with or lessening the ability of the flight crew, there’s always [18 USC 32 - Destruction of Aircraft or Aircraft Facilities - Crimes and Criminal Procedure - US Code](http://law.onecle.com/uscode/18/32.html) > [@](#): > > (a) Whoever willfully - (1) sets fire to, damages, destroys, disables, or wrecks any aircraft in the special aircraft jurisdiction of the United States or any civil aircraft used, operated, or employed in interstate, overseas, or foreign air commerce; > > {snip} > shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than twenty years, or both. ---
**Author:** ![DrCube](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a3d4f5/32.png) [@DrCube](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrCube)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2009, 9:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stuck-on-plan-penalty-for-escape-outbursts/511115/8 "2009-09-22T21:06:03Z")
So every lowly stewardess has the power to imprison you indefinitely without reason and you have no recourse? ---
**Author:** ![Valgard](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/7feea3/32.png) [@Valgard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Valgard)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2009, 12:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stuck-on-plan-penalty-for-escape-outbursts/511115/9 "2009-09-23T00:59:50Z")
I can see that if one person opened the exit and hopped down the slide they’d be in a world of trouble, but suppose a few hundred other angry passengers joined in? After many hours sitting on the tarmac, restrooms full, no food or beverages supplied, they get fed up and a bunch of people pop the exits and everyone slides out and starts walking back to the terminal. Mass disobedience. I don’t see the authorities locking hundreds of people up for years in that situation (although I can see a lot of people getting banned from the airline). ---
**Author:** ![Markxxx](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/5daacb/32.png) [@Markxxx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Markxxx)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2009, 1:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stuck-on-plan-penalty-for-escape-outbursts/511115/10 "2009-09-23T01:05:48Z")
I’d be more worried about being put on a “no-fly” list than a criminal thing. You probably could get a decent lawyer to bargain down a charge or get it dismissed, but once one airline puts you on their “no fly” list, you could get on other airline’s “no fly” list and then where does that leave you if you need to fly? ---
**Author:** ![Kent\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kent_clark/32/105_2.png) [@Kent\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kent_Clark)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2009, 1:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stuck-on-plan-penalty-for-escape-outbursts/511115/11 "2009-09-23T01:13:45Z")
> [@Valgard](#): > > I can see that if one person opened the exit and hopped down the slide they’d be in a world of trouble, but suppose a few hundred other angry passengers joined in? After many hours sitting on the tarmac, restrooms full, no food or beverages supplied, they get fed up and a bunch of people pop the exits and everyone slides out and starts walking back to the terminal. Mass disobedience. I don’t see the authorities locking hundreds of people up for years in that situation (although I can see a lot of people getting banned from the airline). The doors from the terminal to the flight area are – what’s the technical term? – locked. You can’t just casually walk into the terminal, just like you can’t just casually walk out of the terminal and look around the plane. So no, the authorities probably wouldn’t lock people up for “years,” but I can see hundreds of people being detained for at least as long as they would have spent waiting on the plane. But there seems to be enough “what are they going to do, throw me in jail?” sentiment in the thread, that I think some people will only be satisfied if they try it themselves. ---
**Author:** ![Duckster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/duckster/32/1244_2.png) [@Duckster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duckster)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2009, 1:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stuck-on-plan-penalty-for-escape-outbursts/511115/12 "2009-09-23T01:43:27Z")
> [@TruCelt](#): > > The crew OTOH can be held guilty of false imprisonment. 'Twere it me, I’d call 911 and demand to be rescued. Then I’d call the local TV stations, because we all know that bad publicity will motivate the airlines far faster than mere legalities. This is the understated Achilles Heel. As many passengers as possible with cell phones should call 911, the media, family and friends, and report the details. Add to this using Twitter to contact many more should help, [even sending tweets to the airline in question](http://www.thestarphoenix.com/Tweets+putting+many+airlines+defensive/1931018/story.html), if they use Twitter. ---
**Author:** ![Tastes\_of\_Chocolate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tastes_of_chocolate/32/3232_2.png) [@Tastes\_of\_Chocolate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tastes_of_Chocolate)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2009, 3:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stuck-on-plan-penalty-for-escape-outbursts/511115/13 "2009-09-23T15:43:27Z")
> [@kunilou](#): > > If you want to claim that opening an emergency door isn’t interfering with or lessening the ability of the flight crew, there’s always [18 USC 32 - Destruction of Aircraft or Aircraft Facilities - Crimes and Criminal Procedure - US Code](http://law.onecle.com/uscode/18/32.html) > > > [@](#): > > > > (a) Whoever willfully - (1) sets fire to, damages, destroys, disables, or wrecks any aircraft in the special aircraft jurisdiction of the United States or any civil aircraft used, operated, or employed in interstate, overseas, or foreign air commerce; > > > > {snip} > > shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than twenty years, or both. But does opening an emergancy door count as damaging, destroying, disabling or wrecking an aircraft? And > [@](#): > > In this chapter - (1) “aircraft in flight” means an aircraft from the moment all external doors are closed following boarding - (A) through the moment when one external door is opened to allow passengers to leave the aircraft; or (B) until, if a forced landing, competent authorities take over responsibility for the aircraft and individuals and property on the aircraft. Does opening an emergancy door count as opening an external door? ---
**Author:** ![Rhythmdvl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/85f322/32.png) [@Rhythmdvl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rhythmdvl)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2009, 4:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stuck-on-plan-penalty-for-escape-outbursts/511115/14 "2009-09-23T16:02:53Z")
> [@Valgard](#): > > I can see that if one person opened the exit and hopped down the slide they’d be in a world of trouble, but suppose a few hundred other angry passengers joined in? See, if one person, just one person does it they may think he’s really bad and they’ll arrest him. But if two people, two people do it (in harmony), they may think they’re both faggots and of course they’ll arrest them too. But if three people do it? Can you imagine, three people hopping out while singing a bar of _The M.T.A. Song_ and sliding out? They may think it’s an organization. And can you, can you imagine fifty people on a flight …\*fifty people \* sliding down singin’ a bar of _The M.T.A. Song_ and walking out? Friends, they may thinks it’s a movement! ---
**Author:** ![Harmonious\_Discord](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/74df32/32.png) [@Harmonious\_Discord](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Harmonious_Discord)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2009, 4:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stuck-on-plan-penalty-for-escape-outbursts/511115/15 "2009-09-23T16:17:45Z")
Being detained in an airport terminal or being locked in a plane with inoperative toilets and no food for half a day with screaming children leaves me choosing detention. This question seems to be about the cases where minimal necessities have not been met. ---
**Author:** ![IAmNotSpartacus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/cc9497/32.png) [@IAmNotSpartacus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IAmNotSpartacus)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2009, 4:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stuck-on-plan-penalty-for-escape-outbursts/511115/16 "2009-09-23T16:23:05Z")
> [@Harmonious\_Discord](#): > > Being detained in an airport terminal or being locked in a plane with inoperative toilets and no food for half a day with screaming children leaves me choosing detention. This question seems to be about the cases where minimal necessities have not been met. You are not being detained when you got on the airplane, you got on voluntarily. You cannot exit the plane whenever you feel, only when the flight crew tells you to do so (obviously a genuine emergency would be a good exception). Contracts of carriage will always cover this. An example from [Southwest’s](http://www.southwest.com/travel_center/coc.pdf) CoC: > [@](#): > > Except to the extent provided in Article 85.A. above, Carrier shall not be liable for any failure or delay in operating any flight due to causes beyond Carrier’s control, including but not limited to, acts of God, governmental actions, fire, weather, mechanical difficulties, Air Traffic Control, strikes or labor disputes, or inability to obtain fuel for the flight in question. Carrier shall use its best efforts to notify all affected passengers promptly of planned schedule changes and service withdrawals. ---
**Author:** ![PatriotGrrrl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/9dc877/32.png) [@PatriotGrrrl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PatriotGrrrl)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2009, 4:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stuck-on-plan-penalty-for-escape-outbursts/511115/17 "2009-09-23T16:32:38Z")
If there was ever a case where jury nullification was actually likely, this might be it. ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2009, 4:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stuck-on-plan-penalty-for-escape-outbursts/511115/18 "2009-09-23T16:39:37Z")
[Long tarmac delays to be banned](http://www.chicagotribune.com/travel/sns-dc-airline-passengers,0,2364192.story) > [@](#): > > A three-hour time limit on tarmac waits for airline passengers will soon become law, Sen. [Barbara Boxer](http://www.chicagotribune.com/topic/politics/barbara-boxer-PEPLT000628.topic), D-Calif., said today at an unofficial airline passenger’s rights hearing. > > The Capitol Hill event drew both supporters and critics of the legislation, which would force airlines to create plans to deplane passengers after three hours and would require them to provide basic services such as food and water while they are waiting on planes. ---
**Author:** ![qazwart](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/5fc32e/32.png) [@qazwart](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/qazwart)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2009, 5:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stuck-on-plan-penalty-for-escape-outbursts/511115/19 "2009-09-23T17:14:01Z")
> [@TruCelt](#): > > The crew OTOH can be held guilty of false imprisonment. Explain how a crew, following federal procedures, be charged with false imprisonment. When you fly, you’re subject to federal regulations, and federal regulations are quite clear: Once those plane doors close, you have no right to get off until they are opened by a crew member (except in cases of an emergency). > [@](#): > > 'Twere it me, I’d call 911 and demand to be rescued. Then I’d call the local TV stations, because we all know that bad publicity will motivate the airlines far faster than mere legalities. You could raise a stink, but be careful about calling 911 and submitting a _false_ report. In most states, that’s illegal. There may also be federal regulations involved since this is taking place at an airport. Calling a local TV station to whine is probably a better bet. Maybe they can put up enough of a stink to get the airport to order the plane back to the gate, so the crew can open the doors. The main thing to remember is that the airplane’s crew doesn’t have the authority to open or close the doors of the airplane. They’re also stuck in the plane too with a bunch of whiny passengers who are insisting their rights are being violated and they plan to lead a revolt against this tyranny. The crew is probably doing its best to get back to the gate so they too can leave. Don’t make their lives any more miserable than you have to. ---
**Author:** ![Harmonious\_Discord](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/74df32/32.png) [@Harmonious\_Discord](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Harmonious_Discord)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2009, 5:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stuck-on-plan-penalty-for-escape-outbursts/511115/20 "2009-09-23T17:31:58Z")
> [@IAmNotSpartacus](#): > > You are not being detained when you got on the airplane, you got on voluntarily. You cannot exit the plane whenever you feel, only when the flight crew tells you to do so (obviously a genuine emergency would be a good exception). Contracts of carriage will always cover this. An example from [Southwest’s](http://www.southwest.com/travel_center/coc.pdf) CoC: You really don’t get what I’m talking about do you. You land unexpectedly and are kept on a full plane that doesn’t have working toilets, or food for 12 hours because the pilot ran out of flight hours. You did not plan on it. Yet the full plane of passengers are detained in squallier in the plane. Like I said detain me in the airport, because I will be off that plane. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stuck-on-plan-penalty-for-escape-outbursts/511115.md?page=2)