Fair sentencing?

http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/flybe-life-ban-air-rage-12546794

http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/teacher-jailed-after-hurling-drunken-12535947

http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/airline-passenger-who-shouted-what-12468336

I don't understand why one guy got off without jail and the other two got locked up. Does it really just depend on who is on the bench?

As you know, I've been in the airline industry for the past 28 years. I used to sit on the UK Disruptive Passenger Committee and have given interviews to the BBC, Radio 5 Live etc with regards to on board disruptive passengers. The guy who spoke on the PA getting jailed, is nothing short of pathetic and I've had debates on FB and LI with regards to this incident. Pathetic and unjust.

As for the other 2, both should have received a jail sentence, especially the pax who assaulted the crew member.

Passengers just don't understand the Air Navigation Order (ANO) and what sentences can be handed down, IF, a Magistrate, sticks to the letter of the law. But as you say, there's far too much inconsistency by Magistrates residing over these incidents.

The airlines aren't always fair and just to their passengers, but they get away with it. It's maybe too easy to say someone was endangering an aircraft, when most people wouldn't agree with them.

Fighting with passengers/crew or throwing racial insults etc. deserve severe punishment.

There are 5 clear ANO regulations Dawg that many airlines have in their on board magazines - that many pax don't read.

These ANO regs, carry a maximum 2 years in prison and up to a £5000 fine..or both.

If you take the letter of the law and regs, a Magistrate 'could' easily imprison a pax who contravenes one of these on our website - under Unacceptable Behaviour (as each one of these is an Air Navigation Order article number):

http://www.aviationworldwidetraining.com/courses/aircrew-training/70-conflict-management-disruptive-passenger-training

Punishments should be uniform across the board. It shouldn't matter which magistrate you get, especially the difference between a custodial and non-custodial sentence.

I totally agree Dawg....