I'm a pilot and we often have some pretty rowdy people on board our flights. Sometimes they come very close to constituting a danger to other passengers or to flight attendants or other staff. It's hard to know when to take action. As the pilot am I allowed to deal with people like this of my own accord?
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Answer by Andrea Stein, Brisbane 4000 QLD
- Under aviation law pilots are empowered to take action against a passenger where needed to keep control and ensure the smooth passage of the aircraft.
- Where a pilot in Australia is required to take such measures they have complete authorisation to use sufficient force as is required so that passengers on board observe the regulations.
- Where a pilot suspects that a passenger has committed an act prohibited by law they are permitted to arrest that person. A pilot is also authorised to arrest without a warrant anyone found committing an offence while on board the aircraft.