A First Class passenger onboard a Delta Air Lines flight from Atlanta to Phoenix told FBI agents that he was homophobic and admitted calling one of the flight attendants a “queer”. The passenger, identified as Christopher Alexander Morgan, faces up to 20 years in prison after being arrested for interfering with a flight attendant.
Morgan was sat in seat 1D on Delta flight 2908 to Phoenix last Friday when he allegedly assaulted the flight attendant by striking him with an onboard interphone.
The suspect told investigators shortly after his arrest that his homophobia may have caused his temper towards the flight attendant to escalate. Morgan admits calling the flight attendant a homophobic slur but denies assault.
Things allegedly got off to a bad start when Morgan refused to put his seat into the upright position and put on his seatbelt for takeoff according to an FBI affidavit. Morgan was “uncooperative and would not comply with their instructions,” the affidavit alleges.
After takeoff, the flight attendant served Morgan an alcoholic drink but when he requested a second, the flight attendant suggested a non-acholic beverage.
Morgan called the flight attendant, who is only identified as H.D. “the f-word and a ‘queer’ and threw a glass of ice at H.D”. When a passenger sitting in the row behind intervened, Morgan allegedly became angry and held a glass at the other passenger’s face.
The flight attendant went into the galley and used an interphone to call the pilots and tell them about the unfolding drama but Morgan followed him into the galley, called the flight attendant a “fag” then took the interphone handset from the flight attendant and throw it back at him.
The handset allegedly struck the flight attendant in the chest.
On arrival in Phoenix, Morgan was removed from the Airbus A330 aircraft by law enforcement and interviewed by FBI agents. Under interrogation, Morgan “said that he is homophobic and that it is possible he could have been intimidating to the flight attendants”.
The maximum penalty for interfering with flight crew is 20 years imprisonment, plus a fine of up to $200,000. Detention and preliminary hearings have been set for May 3 and Morgan will remain in custody until his next court appearance.
A Delta spokesperson confirmed flight 2908 had been met by law enforcement on arrival. the airline said in an emailed statement:
“Delta has zero tolerance for unruly behavior and discrimination at our airports and aboard our aircraft and takes all reports of such behavior seriously, especially when directed at our employees.”
“Nothing is more important than the safety of our people and our customers.”
As well as criminal charges, Morgan also faces a hefty civil penalty courtesy of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Acting FAA Administrator Billy Nolen confirmed last week that the agency’s zero-tolerance campaign against unruly passengers would become permanent.
The FAA has the power to fine disruptive passengers a maximum of $37,000 per violation. A single incident could result in several fines for different violations. The agency has issued more than $2 million in civil penalties after introducing its ‘one strike and you’re out’ campaign in early 2021.
Jesus.
This is what needs to happen:
1. He needs to be charged the maximum under the law.
2. Delta needs to ban him for life.
3. The flight attendant needs to sue him for civil assault asking mucho dollars for damages, physical and emotional. Part of the suit should also allege violation of Federal Civil Rights Laws.
Enough is enough