Russian Passengers Revolt in Moscow Airport
- Posted on December 29, 2010 at 7:30am by
Jonathon M. Seidl
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“Shame!” That’s what droves of passengers in Russia shouted as a winter storm in Moscow forced over 200 flights to be canceled. In a display of anger that some wonder could be coming to America, passengers screamed their displeasure as they staged a revolt, even attacking airport officials in the process.
“It’s absolute mayhem,” Dmitry Menyaev, who has been waiting for two days to fly from the Domodedovo airport to Novosibirsk in Siberia to spend holidays with family, told AFP. “There are problems with water supply, all restaurants are full and they jack up the prices.”
At another Moscow airport, Sheremetyevo, passengers had enough:
According to Fox News’s “Fox and Friends,” those passengers eventually attacked airport employees.
But with thousands of passengers experiencing similar delays in the U.S. due to this weekend’s Northeast snowstorm, ABC News is asking if that unrest could soon pop up here. In fact, the news outlet found that in some ways it already has.
In a piece titled “Lord of the Fliers: Will Anarchy Break Out Among Throngs of Stranded Air Travelers?”, ABC details passenger unrest throughout the country. In Cleveland, police were called to maintain order at a gate. In New York and Chicago passengers brawled over seats, with one flier calling it “a bit like ‘The Lord of the Flies.’”
“You could feel the tension in the air as passengers who had been stranded since Sunday began to realize today might not be their lucky day,” passenger Heather Mikesell told ABC. “When a couple of passengers tried to cut the line, those who were patiently waiting their turn revolted.”
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Comments (58)
TombstoneJim
Posted on December 29, 2010 at 11:09amIt’s WINTER you foolish people. It SNOWS in winter. Stay home!!
Report Post »turgon
Posted on December 29, 2010 at 8:46pmSeriously. What do these people expect an Airline to do about weather. Maybe the Airline should just try and take off and have planes falling out of the sky and sliding off runways.
Also why is the Airline now responsible for the food, lodging and well being of customers because it‘s snowing really hard and they can’t do anything about it. If you don’t want to be stuck in an Airport then go home. Oh what’s that? Did you say you can’t because its a damn blizzard outside and the roads are impassable. Weird.
They shouldn’t be responsible for anything except refunding your ticket. One of my main problems with Airlines in cold weather is sitting their planes on the damn Runway for hours upon hours. There is no reason for that. Pull a Bus out to the plane and get people out. I couldn’t handle it…
Report Post »Fina Biscotti
Posted on December 29, 2010 at 11:02amUNIONS went on STRIKE.
Goverment officials are using the excuse of the bad weather……for ALL the delays…..but not so.
When there was a FOuR DAY DELAY in FRANCE…..and passengers were being held hostage. at the airports… with no information on the flight schedules……..the French government did not want to let the truth be known……the UNIONS ARE ON STRIKE……..bc they thought the passengers/travellers would RIOT.
The UNIONS chose the HOLIDAY SEASON to go on STRIKE…..to use that time to impact the economy = cancelled flights…..so the UNIONS could attain what they wanted…….regardless of the harm caused to private citizens, families and companies.
UNIONS SHOULD BE ABOLISHED.
Report Post »joannemkaus
Posted on January 12, 2011 at 1:36amI was there. On 26th Domedevedo was shut. We went to SVO domestic on the 28th. We were told everything is fine, no problems. We checked before we left. We checked in and there were long queues but all the monitors were showing flights were going and nothing cancelled or delayed. We passed through security and a different story, flights delayed on the monitors, our flight had dissapeared!!! In the 2 nights/days we were stuck Aeroflot who is the main domestic carrier never made one single announcement or passed out information on what to do. What you could do was queue. They did at one point put some water and coke at the end of the terminal which a Dutch guy and I laughed at as the staff kept helping themselves to larger and larger qantities of. We figured there would be a few back problems reported. The staff seemed quite excited by the free soft drinks. They never made an announcement in Russian or English to let the passengers know it was there. It was cold there were no blankets, I felt really sorry for people with babies. People were not greedily trying to get to their destination, most couldn’t leave because they had our baggage. Some were transit passengers on the way through to other destinations. I waited with others more than 9 hours to try and get bags back to no avail. The only way was to ask one baggage guy to go downstairs and loo,. We had no coats, it was -10c outside. It is a 3 hour journey back to Moscow in bad traffic, or as I did, a 3 hour queue for an airport hotel and share beds because there were not enough. Back to the airport on day 2 to try and find bags and no Aeroflot staff could tell us how to get them. Finally found out a lady out the back of lost and found (for umbrellas and hats) could send a message in the system, no official forms to fill in. Just right your own letter. Aeroflot were grudgingly doing vouchers and phone cards is you could queue for long enough. About 2 hours. I wasnt queuing for these, we had money for food, I was trying just for information, but go them anyway. Russsians are very very very patient at queueing. On the evening of the 28th at 2:00am they shut the security post into departures, people were upset trying to get through, that was because outside Aeroflot still hadn’t told them that the planes were not flying. I watched no plane with an Aeroflot badge took off, what did take off were codeshare flights with other airline badges on the tail. My personal opinion is something happened with Aeroflot scheduling systems. They couldn’t reticket us. They cancelled our tickets and told us to take the train. We would have if anyone could have said where our bags were. We got them back on the 30th, and despite being told there were no flights suddenly they were on again and we got bags at 2:00pm and flew at 4:00pm. Some people said it was because there was no de icing chemicals at the airport, but I have to tell you the 28th and 29th were fine and clear and there was no ice anywhere at the airport. SVO is not the airport that had the power outage. I talked to some press who wanted to interview me because of my kids, and they explained they had been pulled in off leave to report but it wouldn’t go out until the New Year. New Year is the biggest Russian holiday but by the 30th SVO was empty, people were no longer waiting to fly, they either got out of there or went by train.
Aeroflot staff at every window or desk you went to coudln’t answer what the problem was or what we should do. It was quite strange. By the way, I fly a lot every year with my family, kids aged 11, 9 and 8 and we shouldn’t have checked our coats, but still we had a few weeks of travelling and it was better to wait a few days and get the bags than try to re-dress 5 of us with winter clothes.
As an aside on the way out of Russia to Hong Kong, the Aeroflot check in attendant told us we had 23kgs of excess luggage, we disagreed and made her get the bags back, turned out we 92kg of luggage vs their count of 123kgs. The young Australian girl behind us had just paid $US 350 for her 8kgs of excess luggage. She was too tired to ask them to re weigh her bags (as they had already dissapeard for loading). It seemed like a bit of rort to me. The flight was interesting as well, Russians love to change seats, at the theatre or cirucs everyone upgrades themselves, if the owner turns up well you move on, on the plane they do the same, but there were some long long arguments where people who had 3 seats wouldn’t share. Quite interesting that the crew didn’t stop any of them, they were quite loud and aggressive. I would love to find out why SVO was really not having any flights take off.
Report Post »Rob
Posted on December 29, 2010 at 10:57amI told my wife I will never fly anywhere again… she said, “Okay”.
Report Post »charliego
Posted on December 29, 2010 at 10:46amSTEPS to civilization running amuck. Dependence upon the higher powers leads to riots and loss of human dignity.
Report Post »temple62
Posted on December 29, 2010 at 10:33amPoor basterds are acting liberal liberal Americans – I want, I want, I want…………
Report Post »WHITE LOTUS2x
Posted on December 29, 2010 at 10:32amThank God Americans have more since than to riot in an airport. There would surely be bloodshed. Our blood. They wouldnt tolerate any one messing with there naked machine. Maybe even turn loose the dogs , pepper spray and tear gas. Siberia? Iwould ask my relatives to move.
Report Post »richahlgrim
Posted on December 29, 2010 at 10:31amFirst, to the moron who said, “I am thinking the Russian people are waking up and realizing that they have been robbed of their God given right to something better, and hopefully this will catch on and happen more often.” Herein lies the problem THERE IS NO GOD GIVEN RIGHT to something better. You have the god given right to EARN something better. That was stolden from them by communism, I will acknowledge, but it still has to be earned.
Report Post »Americans, are being sold the lie that because we are Americans we deserve better. It is a lie. We deserve nothing but that which we (as individuals) have earned.
The problem here is these people (in the US and in Russia) have no right to riot. They do have a right to demand a refund and to go home if their flight is cancelled.
stmike
Posted on December 29, 2010 at 10:13amWe are sheep bbaaahaa!!! I hate to say Ed Rendell was right about the weenies and wussies thing the other day. We are more worried about our toys and our social lives than what’s really important. Like how most people fear government these days when it should be the other way around. Hmmm one founding father had a comment about that.” When the people fear the governmet there is tyranny, when government fears the people there is freedom.” This is why this republic is in the mess its in
Report Post »The Libertarian Atheist
Posted on December 29, 2010 at 10:05amYes, This is how a pack of Socialists behaves when they government fails to hand them free “good weather”. what a joke of a political system.
NEVER underestimate the power of ignorant socialists in large numbers.
Report Post »bigkid
Posted on December 29, 2010 at 9:53amMaybe they are upset about NOT being groped enough. I mean, taking such a risk flying in horrible weather, poor or non-existant bathroom facilities, lousy food and water. Good Lord, the airline MUST supply something for those travelers. How about a bit of touchy-feeley to quiet the masses?
Report Post »rbqueen
Posted on December 29, 2010 at 9:42amI wonder what those TSA drones would think if all the people at the airport did this while waiting to get through the line. Arrest a few hundred people or more?
Report Post »walker1812
Posted on December 29, 2010 at 9:35amSee, if we really had this global warming thing these things wouldn’t be happening. Pray for global warming like I do.
Report Post »rfycom
Posted on December 29, 2010 at 9:33amNo peanuts for you.
Report Post »www.PoliticalTs.com
Posted on December 29, 2010 at 9:25amI am thinking Russia is getting freeer everyday. Maybe we don’t have as much to fear from them as we thought, if they can get away with this, I am thinking the Russian people are waking up and realizing that they have been robbed of their God given right to something better, and hopefully this will catch on and happen more often.
Report Post »Silversmith
Posted on December 29, 2010 at 9:18amI‘m not so sure that we won’t hear something about something like this a JFK. There are still folks waiting from the snow storm to fly. I read that some were not expected to leave until after New Year. That’s risky if you ask me.
Silversmith
Report Post »flagbearer
Posted on December 29, 2010 at 9:14amAn enterprising airline/entrepreneur needs to see an opportunity here. Are you old enough to remember the machines that sold life insurance? My dad flew a lot in the “good old days” and he used to laugh that he always took out the insurance because it guaranteed the plane wouldn’t crash. It was a family joke. Why not sell “insurance” against delays. If you take it out, you get access to the facilities if your plane is delayed. Now, if you take my idea and become a millionaire, please share. I could use a little extra dough these days.
Report Post »randy
Posted on December 29, 2010 at 9:10amTHose blue bins must have been made in China and sold in Walmart
Report Post »dustytrail
Posted on December 29, 2010 at 9:05amSounds like my high school bands practice.
Report Post »Thevoice
Posted on December 29, 2010 at 8:22amWhen you look at the stories across the airport spectrum this week the same conclusion no matter where comes into play. Are younger people raised to believe that they can have their whole life planned down to a time frame that fits their needs. It’s F***ken WINTER , and when you travel by any means you have to be prepared there could be delays..I don’t believe any have the God given brains to think a travel scenario past Buying a ticket on line and using that European stupid…We are traveling for the…. holiday…..God people are really getting stupid….That snow in the East you saw coming since Thursday of last week. Your choice ..To get stuck in it …Grow up and get a …common sense brain …It’s free and when you no longer sleep on the sidewalk over night to buy one from Apple . Your going to find your life running a ;little smother…
Report Post »stmike
Posted on December 29, 2010 at 9:58amYep you’re right. In my life time I have noticed this sort of “dumbing down” of the population especially the younger crowd. But Maybe It’s not so much a dumbing down but just too many toys. You know, the cellphone the ipod the laptop etc. And there is this spoiled rotten “me first, gotta have it now!” Mentality going around too. OH you’ve all seen that right? You know anytime driving anywhere these days? Spoiled, selfish, in a big hurry going nowhere. Willing to run grandma off the road just to go 50 yards to a minimarket. Yep we’ve made sooo much progress since banishing God from almost all daily life
Report Post »neversaynever
Posted on December 29, 2010 at 6:02pmhaha well grandma’s make it tough when they drive 10 mph under the speed limit!
Report Post »jerry1945
Posted on December 29, 2010 at 8:03amI’m glad they got such good pictures. Maybe Putin won’t send the wrong people to Siberia.
Report Post »taskmaster78
Posted on December 29, 2010 at 8:47amWas that their carry on bags? the plastic containers. I believe they were flying to Siberia to visit family.
Report Post »joeliberty
Posted on December 29, 2010 at 7:57amA revolt of the American people is 100 years overdue!
Report Post »bullcrapbuster
Posted on December 29, 2010 at 7:49amI spent 3 days in the Vladivostok airport. People were pretty patient. Every time I tried to catch a catnap an airport official would wake me ans inform me that sleeping was not allowed in the airport building. Then when we were ready to go the pilots could not get the door unlocked. Finally after a couple of more hours someone crawled in through the bottom of the aircraft and a few minutes later opened the door. Every one was pretty serious so I started to clap and cheer and soon almost all followed suit. We were heading to Magadan away up north. It was great to get home and sleep for a couple of days. No pampering of the customers in Russia then. We called the airline scaryflot.
Report Post »HillBillySam1
Posted on December 29, 2010 at 9:31amI am sure that things are much better since Vladimir has been Putin charge…..get it?!?….Vladimir “Put-in” charge!!! Hee hee, I crack myself up…..
Report Post »23
Posted on December 29, 2010 at 11:09amthanks for the laugh hillbillySam
Report Post »Grasshopper42
Posted on December 29, 2010 at 7:39amIf the sheeple won’t do anything about groping, why would one expect they’d get upset about snow delays?
Report Post »bullcrapbuster
Posted on December 29, 2010 at 7:54amIt’s about the toilets all plugging up and the water not fit to drink and no customer service from Aeroflot.
Report Post »Jsh1284
Posted on December 29, 2010 at 7:34amMaybe they’ll revolt in US airports and destroy all the body scanners!
Report Post »jbl8199
Posted on December 29, 2010 at 7:44amI wouldn’t be surprised if they did. Rioting can happen ANYWHERE.
Report Post »Jsh1284
Posted on December 29, 2010 at 7:52amBTW I’m not calling for a riot. Just saying .. if they did riot .. don’t hurt the former burger king employ—-err TSA workers or staff. Just break the freakin body scanners!
Report Post »wampanoag
Posted on December 29, 2010 at 7:33amI am thinking. If they only served them free vodka they would be very happy in the Moscow airport.
Report Post »Non-sequitur
Posted on December 29, 2010 at 7:46amWho doesn’t like free Vodka? I’d sit in an airport for months if they gave me free Vodka.
Report Post »guyperram
Posted on December 29, 2010 at 8:14amSee, Americans really are nothing but sheep.
Report Post »Major Infidel
Posted on December 29, 2010 at 9:06amWho cares? Things are tough all over.
Report Post »Xcori8r
Posted on December 29, 2010 at 9:17amThat video was actually a glimpse into the future 10 years from now.
It’s a hospital admissions line in Cleveland.
Report Post »CYCLONE
Posted on December 29, 2010 at 9:26amI hate vodka…and how can you be patiently be waiting if you are revolting ???…. now pass the tequilla please…
Report Post »HillBillySam1
Posted on December 29, 2010 at 9:28amU.S.S.R- United Soviet Socialists Revolting!!……crazy Russians…..
Report Post »Iam4EnoughALREADY
Posted on December 29, 2010 at 11:28amI could have totally fixed this…..since they are soo eager to fly in bad weather (Because the weather is the airlines/and airport employees fault) Let them through, over-load them on a plane- De-ice the plane– I THINK NOT!– Let them take off-and then come crashing down to a fiery explosion…they are happy…..because they got to go….we are happy, because we eliminated disgraceful, greedy, people. And oh yes….serve Vodka!
Report Post »ninetoesjudd
Posted on December 29, 2010 at 11:49amOnly if it’s bacon flavored vodka.
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