Korean Air crew to ‘use more force’ with disruptive passengers
December 28, 2016
Korean Air has said guidelines will be studied for crew to respond “resolutely and vigorously against in-flight violence”, after fronting criticism for its treatment of an on-board incident after an US singer Richard Marx said last week that he had interfered to help confine a disruptive passenger on a Korean Air flight from Hanoi to Seoul. The airlines said it would also assess the use of Taser guns on board.
“Korean Air will respond more definitely and aggressively against in-flight ferocity that lurks the overall safety of the flight,” it said in a statement.
As share of the changes, the airline said it would be providing more exercise to staff and hiring more male flight attendants, making certain at least one male is on duty in the cabin for each flight, as per Reuters news agency.
Marx’s wife Daisy Fuentes, who was drifting with the singer, said the staff “didn’t know how to use the Taser” or to secure ropes.
Taser is a brand name frequently used to mention electric stun guns.
The airline said that under present rules, stun guns were allowed for use only in “grave” situations – where the security of a flight or the life of passengers and crew were in jeopardy. This meant staff had been “tentative” to use the equipment, the carrier added. Individual airlines have their own strategies on what kit they carry on board to confine passengers.
