The Daily BS • Bo Snerdley Cuts Through It!
The Daily BS • Bo Snerdley Cuts Through It!

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Passenger’s midair rampage ends with him duct-taped to his seat

by

BS BULLETIN:

  • An American Airlines passenger allegedly erupted into a racist and anti-gay tirade aboard a flight from Dallas to Newark before becoming physically violent.
  • Witnesses say he struck the passenger beside him, hit the man’s computer and pushed a woman who tried to intervene.
  • Flight attendants and passengers finally subdued him with zip ties and enough duct tape to leave him strapped to his seat until the plane could divert to Baltimore.

An American Airlines flight from Dallas-Fort Worth to Newark was diverted to Baltimore Thursday night after a passenger allegedly launched into a bizarre and increasingly violent midair meltdown.

Witnesses told TMZ the man appeared intoxicated and initially began yelling at the passenger seated next to him about Jesus and going to hell.

A flight attendant reportedly approached and tried to calm things down. That didn’t work.

According to witnesses, the passenger directed a racial slur at the flight attendant and began making anti-gay remarks. His behavior then allegedly turned physical. Witnesses said he struck the passenger sitting beside him and hit the man’s computer. When a female passenger tried to help, the unruly traveler allegedly pushed her away. At that point, three other male passengers stepped in. And somebody apparently decided diplomacy had run its course.

Flight attendants provided duct tape and zip ties, according to TMZ, and the men helped restrain the passenger while he continued struggling.

Photos and video from the cabin show the result.

The man’s hands and torso were taped to his first-class seat, with duct tape even wrapped around his head. American Airlines Flight 618 diverted to Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport, where law enforcement met the aircraft. The passenger was removed, and the flight eventually continued to Newark.

American Airlines said it does not tolerate violence aboard its aircraft and thanked its crew members for their professionalism. The Maryland Transportation Police arrested the passenger on state charges, according to the FBI. And this story may not be finished.

The FBI said it is interviewing witnesses and will consult with the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Maryland to determine whether federal charges should also be filed. The FAA is investigating as well. More than 1,160 unruly-passenger incidents have already been reported to the agency in 2026. This particular passenger, however, managed to distinguish himself.

He boarded an airplane headed for Newark. He arrived in Baltimore under enough duct tape to renovate a basement.

MY QUICK TAKE

I don’t know who first looked around that cabin and said, “Anybody got duct tape?”

But I would like to shake his hand.

We’ve spent years making flying more complicated.

Apps. Boarding groups. PreCheck. CLEAR. Facial recognition.

Apparently the most effective airline technology remains something your father kept in the garage.

And here’s a little travel advice you shouldn’t actually need:

If three complete strangers are holding you down while the flight attendant starts unrolling duct tape, you are not winning the argument.

DBS WIRE SOURCES:

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