A woman has filed a $200,000 lawsuit against American Airlines alleging the flight crew failed to protect her from a passenger who moved into the seat next to hers while she was sleeping, then “masturbated to her” and—well, you’ve seen “There’s Something About Mary”? Yeah, that.
From the Fort Worth Star-Telegram:
The woman slept most of the flight, but awoke about 20 minutes before landing when the pilot announced the plane was on descent into Los Angeles. When the woman opened her eyes, she saw that an unknown man had moved into the seat next to her and was staring at her as he masturbated, the suit states.The woman turned toward the window in embarrassment and in an act of nervousness began to run her fingers through her hair where she noticed “a substantial amount of an extremely sticky substance in her hair,” the suit states.
The woman began to cry and tried to get the attention of a flight attendant, but was unsuccessful, the suit states. Finally a passenger in the row in front of the woman comforted her and verified the semen in her hair, the suit states.
When the plane landed, employee called airport police and the man was arrested.
The suit claims that during the police investigation, the flight crew acknowledged they saw the man move from his assigned seat to the seat next to the woman while she slept.
(Thanks to Rob!)
“Woman files lawsuit against AMR because passenger next to her masturbated while she slept” [Star-Telegram]
(Photo: Cubbie_n_Vegas)
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Maybe the guy wanted to fly united.
@Nagumo: you seem to have some serious shortcomings in your understanding of our nation’s legal system.
Some guy jerking off in his seat would be getting the “lights out” treatment courtesy of my elbow in his face.
On the other hand, the Airline isn’t at fault here. She can file a civil suit against this clown but the Airline’s lawyers are going to tell her to go pound sand up her ass. I’m inclined to think the court would agree.
Shitty situation to end up in but she gets nothing.
@cde:
You say it could be sexual assault if he used her hand but I don’t see how that could even be possible. How could she stay asleep if he were touching her, much less using her hand to masturbate….? Extremely hypothetical so that’s why I can say the actual offense does not meet the criteria for sexual assault.
And I did looked up “sexual assault” for Texas and it does require physical (sexual) contact to be classified as sexual assault. If you found the NJ laws, I’m sure you can find the Texas laws as well.
@Claystil: “Sexual Assault” is a legal term and requires contact to be classified as such, at least in Texas.
@tokenblackgirl: Dude! YOU have some dude spunk into your hair while YOU sleep, and then run your hands through it! If that were me, I’d be asking for a bit more than $200,000
@ecwis: sexual assualt under federal law does not require physical contact.
The texas law re: sexual assault seems to define rape only and is not similar to their definition of non-sexual assault.
@Claystil: “Sexual Assault” is clearly define in the Texas Penal Code.
And the US Code requires contact as well,
And if you look in chapter 109A of title 18, you’ll find that all the conduct requires contact to be classified as sexual assault.
I see. I was going off the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services website which defines Sexual Assualt:
“Sexual assault and abuse is any type of sexual activity that you do not agree to, including:
Sexual assault can be verbal, visual, or anything that forces a person to join in unwanted sexual contact or attention. Examples of this are voyeurism (when someone watches private sexual acts), exhibitionism (when someone exposes him/herself in public), incest (sexual contact between family members), and sexual harassment. It can happen in different situations, by a stranger in an isolated place, on a date, or in the home by someone you know.”
Not sure what the deal is, but I guess my source was wrong. I guess then this would be simple assualt? Much like spitting on someone? Seems kinda sad that the law is this way.
I am not really sure who this woman thinks she is, but the people working for the airline are not paid the be her bodyguard and they are not her personal assistants or the local police department. I think it is stupid that she should sue the airline. Next she will sue the passengers that saw it. For all I know the guy may have been itching his balls or adjusting himself. She’s a dumb bitch and I hope her dumb ass looses in court.
@freedom69:
I hope you learn how to spell “lose.”
@ericole: Being embarassed is a pretty much universal reaction to being sexually assaulted. Unfortunately most men aren’t able to comprehend this. So if you ever ARE sexually assaulted and you work out a way to skip over the whole embarassment/shame thing, please let us hysterical females know won’t you?
Ever since they got rid of free peanut snacks with beverages this behavior has been rampant. Go figure.
If some jackass beat it off and popped one in my hair while the flight crew watched I’d want more than what she’s asking.
@Paintbait: money hell! i want a long, memorable, painful death assigned to all involved.
Why offer amenity kits when you can get a free facial
i was on a bus in santa monica once and there was a guy in the seat across from me and he was masturbating too and staring at me. i got off at the next exit. i was freaked out
@Thomas Palmer: you’re looking on the internet for “maturity”… huh??? *wink wink*
I’m mildly horrified that my entertainment level is exceeding my sympathy level.
Ewww. Sperm.
Very late to this as I am reading the years worst. 1 Thing I did not see in the last 166 posts. How much alcohol did aa sel this perv. Just a thought.
Now, I know they call it “the friendly skies” but this is pretty sad. Hope the guy found it was worth it vs. going to the bathroom with a copy of Victoria’s Secret!
Also saw this for the first time via the collection of the grossest stories (my 72-year old father enjoyed reading ‘em too!).
Funny, but something similar happened to me while on Amtrak when I was about the same age. The male passenger next to me spooned me, and groped my breasts while I was half asleep. I was so stunned and sleepy that it did take me a bit of time to react, even though I’ve confronted people loudly over less when I’ve been fully awake. You’re so shocked that someone would actually invade your personal space that it takes a minute or more to react. Everything stated earlier about her age being a factor, I agree with, absolutely. I’m sure that was a reason why she was targeted – not only because of the “young and pretty” bit, but because younger women are still growing into themselves and not always as assertive.
So, for obvious reasons, my sympathy is with this poor woman. But I also agree with those who say that the airline does appear to hold some responsibility here. Many airline stewards have become cranky towards passengers and ignore them over much more minor incidents, such as liquids being spilled on their person or a broken seat.
It’s their goddamn job, though. If you don’t want to be in the service industry, if you don’t like problem-solving for people, then find a new line of work.
It appears that the man moved into the seat and began masturbating, *before* the pilot made his announcement. During that time, the stewards make a round of the cabin, ask people to turn off various electronic equipment, and then lock into their seats. Someone was negligent here, and it probably had to do with a rushed schedule (as the incident with the urine-soaked seat did).
Do I think she deserves a quarter of a million dollars? Probably not. She does deserve a public apology and airing of her grievance, not this typical CYA bullshit, and unfortunately she probably had to get a lawsuit to do it.