Flight Diverted to Tampa After ‘Unruly’ German Couple Gets Angry Over Champagne
- Posted on January 16, 2012 at 7:41am by
Jonathon M. Seidl
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ATLANTA (AP) — Officials say a Delta Air Lines flight from Atlanta to Costa Rica was diverted to Tampa, Fla., on Sunday evening after a couple from Germany became unruly.
Delta spokeswoman Chris Kelly Singley said Flight 414 departed Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport at 6 p.m. Sunday and landed at Tampa International Airport at 7:34 p.m. The captain made the call to land, the spokeswoman said. After the “unruly” passengers were removed, the plane went on to Costa Rica, she said.
Tampa International Airport spokeswoman Janet Zink identified the passengers as Peter and Gabriele Strohmaier of Dusseldorf, Germany. She said they were seated in first class and demanding food and champagne and refused to sit down.
Zink said no charges had been filled. The FBI and Transportation Security Administration were investigating.
Reached at the Tampa hotel where the couple was spending Sunday night, Gabriele Strohmaier told The Associated Press that a Delta crew member “exaggerated enormously and felt terribly insulted” after her husband raised concerns about the food and beverage service.
She said her husband had asked for a glass of champagne, but was told it was all gone. She said the crew member then walked away rather than listen to his concerns. She denied that she or her husband was told to sit down and refused.
“No, we were not standing,” she said.
Peter Strohmaier, who identified himself as a lawyer, said he “did nothing except to say I would like to have the meal and so on…all normal things.”
He said the Delta crew member told him she was not pleased with his attitude.
“I am not prepared to accept such behavior,” he said, adding that in the end he didn’t get champagne, a meal or even water. The couple had flown to the U.S. from Germany earlier in the day.
Gabriele Strohmaier said the couple need to “take another airline, naturally not Delta” to get to Costa Rica.
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bhosux
Posted on January 17, 2012 at 12:14pmI live in Tampa and work at TIA for a real airline not DELTA. I would like to thank the German couple for the added landing fees, extra fuel sales and any overtime created for the event. The Director of TIA just received a $50k pay raise and this will help to pay for it. Remember… ” (D)ont (E)ver (L)eave (T)he (A)irport ” wants to eat AA for lunch. I dont work for Grimm AA either.
Report Post »Secret Squirrel
Posted on January 17, 2012 at 8:52pm.
Report Post »Hey, Strohmaier,
Maybe next time a nice cruise off the coast of Italy.
mdlwoods
Posted on January 17, 2012 at 10:49amGo to Greece where everyone YELLS at each other and call it just having a conversation!!!
Report Post »grannyrecipe
Posted on January 17, 2012 at 7:12amAll the people on here of German ancestry will agree with this; The one thing that animates Germans the most is incompetence at work. They are confounded by someone doing their job poorly and they also get loud about it LOL
Report Post »sheik yermami
Posted on January 16, 2012 at 6:54pmWow, you people sure know how to gang up on Germans.
If these people paid for first class they have every right to demand first class service.
I‘m sure if it was a bunch of Muslims throwing tantrums over halal food or being taken off the plane for screaming ’allahu akbar‘ you’d all be very understanding…..
Report Post »Platonician
Posted on January 16, 2012 at 8:06pmYou know, Muslims and Germans behave pretty much the same way, believe me, I’ve been in Germany.
Report Post »lynda1276
Posted on January 16, 2012 at 6:22pmwasn‘t there so don’t know- but i deal with Germans in my Business and sometimes they come across as rude- when i really don’t think it is their intent. i have gotten use to it over the years and it is not a problem.
Report Post »winevine
Posted on January 16, 2012 at 3:26pmLet zem eat sourkrout zos silly Hun.
Report Post »gemmeri
Posted on January 16, 2012 at 2:09pmIncomplete article… How unruly did the Germans get? Why did the champagne run out? Where’s the beef?
Report Post »Jaycen
Posted on January 16, 2012 at 2:21pmNo offense, but the fact is:
It’s not your business. The flight crew gets to say how unruly “unruly” is. Don’t like it, you’re going to have a hard time getting where you want to go these days.
Doesn’t matter. Out is out. Whether it happened 5 seconds ago or 5 hours ago, it’s a reality. There’s no Constitutional guarantee to “free champagne on first-class flights on Delta”, so the passenger’s attitude and behavior are their responsibility regardless of the existance (or lack) of champagne.
These articles are commented re-prints from other news organizations. In my experience, lack of beef in the article is due to the original article’s authors.
Report Post »pavepaws
Posted on January 16, 2012 at 3:31pmTourists.
Report Post »BenFrank1791
Posted on January 16, 2012 at 4:26pmI agree . We will never know what happened. Funny thing is we are all so overly security taped in the airport, but not on the plane…! oh… and I bet there is someone out there that thinks that would be impossible to do on a plane…cuz of some kind eletronic interference… BS….
But I bet its the flight crew unions that don’t want cameras on a plane . just sayin.
Report Post »forthepeople
Posted on January 16, 2012 at 1:11pmI to have had to deal with germans and there strong attitude . lets put it this way I cannot remember a pleasant encounter with even one ? may be they are all still mad we blew the **** out of them !
Report Post »Jaycen
Posted on January 16, 2012 at 2:17pmI don’t know about Germans, but I can say that I fly very often for my job, internationally and domestically. At the peak of my travel, I averaged 72 flights per year.
I’ve seen a lot of issues between attendants and passengers. I can positively state that each incident started with the passenger. Some people seem to think that if you start off at “jerk”, you get better service.
The fact is, once you hit “jerk”, there‘s no where to go and you really can’t back down from it without admitting in public you were a jerk. Try starting off at “civil” and work your way up. You can always jump to “jerk” if the occassion calls for it.
In any event, my default setting is to wonder exactly what transpired between the passenger and the airline. Normally, flight attendants are very accomodating.
Report Post »redsred
Posted on January 16, 2012 at 11:55amdoes it not occur to anyone posting that todays passengers are subjected to so much indignity by the knuckle dragging TSA personnel that they might be a little testy and intolerant. having naked photos taken, being subject to stripping clothes and having your crotch manhandled do not promote a pleasant attitude for travelers. i formerly flew frequently. Now, not a chance. and when i want refreshment, i simply stop and get some.
Report Post »hi
Posted on January 16, 2012 at 11:45amInstead of the flight safety speech about buckling seat belts, the flight attendants should tell the passengers that if anyone gets unruly, the plane will turn around and they will be fined for the price of the fuel.
Report Post »BAPDCO
Posted on January 16, 2012 at 11:36amWhy is this even newsworthy?
Report Post »lodgerat
Posted on January 16, 2012 at 12:50pmI guess to show how out of control the airlines and the TSA are in handling your person. I still say the TSA searches are illegal and unconstitutional.
Report Post »TROONORTH
Posted on January 16, 2012 at 11:35amOH NO! NOT AGAIN!
Unruly Germans again. Someone warn Holland and Belgium!
Report Post »pavepaws
Posted on January 16, 2012 at 3:34pmPoland
Report Post »larrylarrylarry
Posted on January 16, 2012 at 11:17amThose rich creeps really get upset when they are not treated like royalty. Here‘s a story of a rich creep breaking a waiter’s finger because he had the gall to bring the check to the table instead of putting it on his tab, (allegedly his wife had requested the check be brought to the table).
John Castle breaks waiters’ finger: Millionaire detested ‘schmucky’ service.
http://www.examiner.com/restaurant-news-in-national/john-castle-breaks-waiters-finger-millionaire-detested-schmucky-service
Check out Castle’s picture, he looks like Homer Simpsons rich creep boss;
Report Post »http://cache.gawker.com/assets/images/7/2012/01/5293e78a4046a7f8996d20c95b34dc55.jpg
AmericanStrega
Posted on January 16, 2012 at 11:16amI have never flown on Delta, but have flown on Frontier, Contenental, United and American Airlines, plus all the small puddle jumper flights in-between. I have never had a bad experience with any of the above mentioned airlines flight crew. As-a-matter-of-fact, I usually sit in the very back of the plane and there is normally a Flight Attendent sitting in the jump seat right behind. I’ve had many entertaining discussions with these Flight Attendents. I have always been as courtious to them as they are to me. I have never been denied a drink (usually a bloody mary or three) and have actually enjoyed my flight time. The only problems I‘ve had on the flights I’ve taken are with my fellow passengers. They have screaming children, don’t listen to instructions given by the flight crew, and many are just nasty smelling people with nasty attitudes to match. I stopped flying commercial since the TSA has become so Gestapo-ish. If I can‘t drive I don’t go.
Report Post »Geronimo
Posted on January 16, 2012 at 11:26amI agree with your comments totally. The flying public today has some of the most rude, self-centered, obnoxious persons among them. They are enough to tax the patience of most decent persons. Greyhound passengers of years ago had more class than some of the flying public today.
Report Post »Dismayed Veteran
Posted on January 16, 2012 at 12:49pmBeing nice does pay off. Several years ago, my wife and I were flying from Omaha to Salt Lake City. The flight appeared overbooked. We and another couple were held at the gate so the crew could confirm available seats. The other guy went ballistic with the gate agent, including the F bomb. I simply told the gate agent that we could go on the next flight. No big deal.
They found 4 seats. Two side by side in 1st Class and 2 separate seats in Coach. Guess where we sat.
Report Post »meoilman
Posted on January 16, 2012 at 11:02amI travel back and forth overseas about half dozen times a year and use Delta all the time. I have never had a bad experience with any flight attendant and cannot agree with some of the comments posted here about bad and arrogant flight attendants. All that I have encountered have been courteous helpful and ready to serve IF you only act human.
Report Post »AmericanStrega
Posted on January 16, 2012 at 11:17amYou hit the nail on the head MEOILMAN. Most people aren’t HUMAN anymore.
Report Post »Secret Squirrel
Posted on January 16, 2012 at 10:58am.
Report Post »Thankfully, it wasn’t Americans acting badly abroad.
Let some other countries be embarrassed for a change.
NeoFan
Posted on January 16, 2012 at 10:18amI have learned to do exactly as the flight crews tell me and keep my mouth shut. I also avoid eye contact as much as possible. They are on a power trip for sure and I don’t want to become the focus of their nastiness when I am forced to fly. I have taken two flights since 9/11 which is a big change from the millions of miles I flew before then. I don‘t know what happened on the flight with these Germans but I don’t take one sides story as gospel especially in light of my own experiences.
Report Post »RightPolitically
Posted on January 16, 2012 at 8:46amWho knows where the truth lies? But let’s face it, with all the security measures now in effect and subsequently, with passengers having little or no rights on a flight nowadays, it’s easy to see how a “power trip” on the part of an arrogant “stu” can get out of hand. Once the airlines felt a need to serve the masses, flying has become miserable for everyone.
Report Post »lookatthefactsjack
Posted on January 16, 2012 at 8:42amYeah I know flight attendants like to have the plane diverted, risk their jobs (flight irregularities piss off the FAA), cause everyone on the plane to be late to their destination and screw up their own schedules for ‘absolutely no reason” NOT Strangely enough, everything a flight attendant does, is witnessed by a couple hundred people (captive audience.) Maybe these Krauts are the butt wipes in this story and needed to get the boot. I‘m just sayin’
Report Post »AmericanStrega
Posted on January 16, 2012 at 11:03amYou are one of the sane among the crowd! Thanks for your post!
Report Post »piper60
Posted on January 16, 2012 at 8:06amSpoiled rotten brats. Waaaaaaa! I want my champaign!!!!!!!!
Report Post »mllyjul
Posted on January 16, 2012 at 8:34amsorry but if they were flying Delta’s first class they probably paid an inordinate amount of money for “first class service” which includes those things so Delta should not have “run out”
Report Post »Gonzo
Posted on January 16, 2012 at 10:41amI agree, they paid for it and they should get it. Too many stewardesses (yes I said it) have a real bad attitude.
Report Post »jadedinkc
Posted on January 16, 2012 at 8:06amJust another POS lawyer. Obviously doesn’t matter where they are from.
Report Post »Detroit paperboy
Posted on January 16, 2012 at 8:06amPlane lands, they are told to get off, and plane goes on to Costa Rica… I bet everyone was very well behaved for the remainder of the flight…. And if i was in coach , i think it woulda been a great time to ask for an upgrade !!!
Report Post »ksoileau
Posted on January 16, 2012 at 8:03amThe only thing worse than flying through Atlanta is flying Delta through Atlanta. Delta SUCKS. I have never had a smooth Delta plane change through Atlanta. Their arrival times are so erratic, they constantly change terminal assignments and sometimes fail to notify passengers on board incoming flights that their connection is far from the nominal one. So a passenger lands in Atlanta, walks to, say, Terminal 3 with 5 minutes to make the connection (because the plane was late), and then is told that the terminal is now 22. This actually happened to me, and of course I missed my flight.
Report Post »NOTAMUSHROOM
Posted on January 16, 2012 at 9:27amI’ve had the same experience so I now have “Flight Update” on my smartphone. Open the app when you land and it’ll give you the gate and time of your connection.
Report Post »aurorasnight
Posted on January 16, 2012 at 9:25pmKSOILEAU, how much time did you give yourself between your flights? It sounds like either your first flight was delayed or you did not give yourself enough time between your flights. Having lived near Atlanta I know the airport and their gates change all the time, though not sure if this is worse with Delta, which is odd since Atlanta is Delta’s home. Since their gates change so much they don‘t put gates on online tickets or at least Delta doesn’t. The Atlanta airport is rather big so 5 minutes is, of course, very little time to get to another gate, especially if it’s in another terminal, which would be A, B, C, or D not numbers. (I’m guessing you were just using that as an example, but I don’t want anyone confused) My boyfriend missed his flight because he wasn’t paying attention and he had earphones in. So my warning to anyone flying into and/or out of Atlanta, always check that you are going to or are at the right gate.
Report Post »kickagrandma
Posted on January 16, 2012 at 7:56amBeen on that flight (not this particular one, thank YOU GOD) and have flown Delta. We have been so impressed with the care taken for us on Delta for many, many, many years. It is my interpretation that if the crew and pilot felt it was necessary to divert, it was necessary. You don’t change those flight plans unless something is really wrong.
If that couple had flown from Germany to Atlanta and then to CR in one day, no wonder they were a little off. Geesh!
Makes me wonder what they were really up to…. just sayin’…..
Report Post »nzkiwi
Posted on January 16, 2012 at 8:40amI beg to disagree. I have known several flight attendants and they let me know a few of the “tricks” employed.
I have been on the receiving end twice. One of the favourites is to “accidentally” bump the back of an ailse seat to jerk awake a passenger on a long haul flight. They tried this on me but I was actually awake. The stewardess tried to say that she lost her balance due to turbulance (there was none). When I pointed out that I was familiar with that little ruse, she got steely eyed and ordered me back to my seat before she informed the captain. I gave her a long contemptuous stare and waited for her to turn a little pink before complying. Zero service after that, but I didn’t care.
Running out of something is another favourite. When I was not served a drink (on a 12 hour flight) I walked to the kitchen area and asked for one. I was informed that they had run out. I stared silently. “Did you hear me, sir?“ ”Yes I did.“ ”Will you return to your seat?“ ”Certainly. Right after you give me that can of soda on the bench over there.” Mutual staring. Long pause. I was silently and ungraciously given the can.
On the basis of my own experience and the “funny” stories that my ex flight attendant friends have regaled me with, my sympathies are with the passengers.
Report Post »Baddoggy
Posted on January 16, 2012 at 7:51amGermany is going down the tubes with the rest of Europe. Guess he thought he had better party until the SHTF. He soon will not be able to get champaign unless he learns to make it in his bathtub…
Report Post »wisehiney
Posted on January 16, 2012 at 10:25amI can make bubbly in the bathtub.
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