Delta passenger opens airplane door before takeoff, goes down emergency slide, gets arrested

A Delta Air Lines passenger was arrested recently after opening an airplane door and then taking a ride on one of the plane's emergency exit slides before takeoff, as reported by CNN.

Before the plane took off for its flight from Los Angeles, California, to Seattle, Washington, a man opened one of the plane's doors and managed to take the emergency slide to the bottom just after 10:30 in the morning.

The passenger was detained after the slide ride and was subsequently arrested by local law enforcement, according to a statement by the Federal Aviation Administration.

The Boeing 737 plane for Delta Flight 1714 out of Los Angeles International Airport was "holding to taxi for takeoff" according to the FAA, meaning it was waiting to be given the go-ahead to prepare for takeoff.

“Customers are being reaccommodated on a new aircraft and we apologize for the inconvenience and delay in their travel plans,” the FAA told the media in a statement.

The FAA is continuing to investigate the incident.

Delta Air Lines made changes in December 2022, deciding that passengers flying economy class will no longer have access to the company's lounge, even if they have a membership in the executive club.

Despite a cost of $845 to $1,495 for a membership in Delta's Sky Club, only passengers with more expensive tickets or a specific American Express credit card membership will be allowed to use the airline's member services.

In February 2022, Delta Air Lines repeated its call to the Department of Justice asking to be allowed to create a "no-fly" list for troublesome customers.

Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said in October 2021 that the idea “should be on the table.”

“It is completely unacceptable to mistreat, abuse or even disrespect flight crews,” Buttigieg told CNN.

The DOJ however, gave a less definitive statement in response to Delta Air Lines CEO Ed Bastian, who sent a letter to U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland: “The Department of Justice is continuing to prioritize the investigations and prosecutions of those who engage in criminal behavior that threatens the safety of passengers, flight crews, and flight attendants,” said Joshua Stueve, a spokesperson for the DOJ.

“We are fully committed to holding accountable those who violate federal law. We will be referring Delta’s letter to appropriate departments.”

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