The “talking to” remark, made by police at the flight’s destination (LAX?) was because the incident occurred at the flight’s origin (Austin, TX). It’s an unfortunate jurisdictional issue arising from interstate travel, and I expect their answer would have been the same for some other non-sex crime.
The “wasn’t the crime of the century” remark was out of line though, and merits a complaint to that officer’s department.
I didn’t realize flying on a plane was like entering some lawless wasteland. Kinda creepy.
There was a recent article on Slateabout how airline staff really don’t know WTF to do about in-flight sexual assaults.
When you’re on a plane in mid-flight, I think there aren’t a lot of options. Maybe one of our professional pilots will chime in, but I don’t think they will divert to the nearest airport unless someone presents an ongoing risk of physical harm:
In the Austin/LAX case, the flight crew sort of did the right thing, in that the police were waiting at LAX (even though they didn’t have the authority to do anything about it). The only other thing I suppose they might have done was to inform the perp that complaints had been received and the police would like a word with him after arrival; that might have prevented subsequent incidents, including that of the woman who took the guy’s picture.
when I was made very uncomfortable by a man making sexual remarks to me on a flight once, the flight attendant found me a new seat far away from the creep. I had just turned 20 at the time and was just glad to get away from him and then pretend it never happened.
The first time I was sexually assaulted was on Halloween, a neighborhood boy grabbed my sister’s bag of candy, and while I was arguing with him another boy put his hand on my crotch and squeezed. I was so shocked I just stood there for a second or two before moving away. I was 9, the boy was maybe 12 or so. That was the first time of many.
I recently had a discussion with my daughter on this topic, brought up because she is working with young male sex offenders. She says that barring a couple of slaps on the butt (just slaps, no fondling) she has not suffered any sexual assaults in her lifetime (she’s 36) I find that heartening.
Glad the flight attendant helped you out. Interesting that she didn’t find HIM another seat. (Yeah, I know that would be unlikely.)
“I promise you Sir, the wing has a view like you’ll get nowhere else.”
Hehe. “If you’re feeling a little insecure, here’s a roll of duct tape.”