You may have read the headlines when they came out: A couple and their dog used the emergency exit of a Delta plane at LaGuardia Airport. What made the story particularly newsworthy, at least for travel geeks, is that they decided to make their exit while the plane was taxiing. Apparently, they opened the emergency exit, engaged the emergency slide and used the slide to leave the plane.
The passengers who left so abruptly were Antonio Murdock, 31, and Brianna Greco, 23, both from Florida. The dog was an 8-month-old Great Dane named Rain. According to another passenger who spoke to the New York Times on the day of the event, before they decided to leave so abruptly, the two had changed seats several times, despite being told by a flight attendant to remain seated.
“If I sit down, I’ll freak out,” Murdock said, as per his fellow passenger. “I need to get off the plane,” he exclaimed a few moments later. A flight attendant also heard him say that he was going to “pop the door” and that he would “spazz out” if he did not get off.
Murdock, who said he had a history of PTSD, did indeed “pop the door.”
The plane, of course, was stopped almost immediately and went back to the gate. All the passengers were deplaned and put on alternate flights. The plane was checked by maintenance technicians before being put back into service later that evening.
Murdock and Greco were quickly apprehended on the tarmac. Murdock was charged with criminal mischief and reckless endangerment according to a complaint filed in Queens Criminal Court. Both he and Greco also faced charges of criminal trespass.
Murdock was seen at Queens Criminal Court the next day. The NY Post reported him saying that he had suffered a panic attack. “I asked them three or four times to let me off. They said they were stopping the plane and they never stopped the plane, and I got to the point where I was just feeling dizzy.”
“I didn’t even know there was a slot to go down the slide,” Murdock continued. “I just thought it was a regular door. I don’t know what I was thinking at the time. I wasn’t doing a criminal act.”
He was released without bail and with an order of protection to stop him from contacting the flight attendant who had told him to be seated. Not long after his release, he and Greco picked Rain up from the Animal Care Center.
As per authorities, Murdock and Greco’s exit from the plane caused over $170,000 in damages to the Airbus A321.
Feature Photo: Pixabay
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This post first appeared on Your Mileage May Vary
29 comments
I find it odd that the dog was not charged with anything…I would have expected aiding and abetting at a minimum
She’s only a puppy. Probably considered her a minor, even in people years.
Sounds to me like a panic attack secondary bto a sudden attack of claustrophobia. Flight Attendants should be trained to deal with such situations.
There were two options. One, successfully talk to the passenger and make determination if he could continue the flight it Two, deem it an emergency, stop the aircraft and get the passenger off. This would prevent any potential damage to the aircraft. It is common sense.
Andrew
It sounds like stupid is the primary problem. How can the airline or flight attendants be responsible for other peoples problem of stupid.
I agree. Aren’t they trained to handle PTSD? It should be put way up on the list. The lack of empathy astounds me. Is this how you would treat a veteran? Shame on you.
Wrong. You are the problem. Take responsibility for your own actions. If you have claustrophobia or ptsd, find a solution to your problem instead if causing $170,000 in damage, and untold damage to 200 other peoples lives and plans.
AGREE
Quit putting the responsibilities on OTHER people… if he had PTSD or any kind of stress related disorder.. then HE would be the only person to take control of his actions…!!!!!
Typical rep. Lack of empathy Andrew. People like you are the problem in this country.
He should have rented a car. He k ows how small the space in a plane is
Until/unless Antonio’s physician certifies that he is no longer at risk of suffering panic attacks in the future, Antonio should be banned from flying. Imagine if the plane took off and was in mid-flight when he had/has another panic attack. When he tries to open the doors (again), what do you then (other than tackle and restrain him for the rest of the flight)?
What happens if someone “pops” the door open while in the air? Like 30,000 feet??
The doors cannot be opened while in flight because of cabin pressure.
Have mercy 🚅🚅
I mean it can be a tad bit claustrophobic on a plane they do need to be more trained in that area or build a bigger space for ppl to have a little more space. I could hardly put my seatbelt on and I’m not a big woman… But he shouldn’t be able to fly again honestly.
If they guy really had problems, they should have driven.
What if he did this during take off ?
Would be pretty stressful hitting runway at near 100 mph falling from the plane.
Anyone else read why he claims to have ptsd ?
Both should be banned for life, flying any airline
$170,000? Slide assembly costs have gone nuts…
It’s more than just a door its cost of being canceled , parked the door is 10,000 grand
Aviation industry needs to urgently understand people who suffer from anxiety or panic attack due to claustrophobia. These unfortunate people need more space to breath or a medically approved medicine or natural supplement that would calm them down and avoid further issues. People who pass criticism comments need to understand these people who suffer deserves lot of sympathy and of course it causes inconvenience and other related issues to public. But that’s a hidden medical condition that can trigger panic attack anytime regardless of age unfortunately.
He is a lifelong criminal who has taken her from everything and everyone she knows. He is a menace to society and has been in and out of mental institutions (meth use ) and non stop criminal activity from 19 YO. He stole 100k from her, physically abuses her and has diminished her to a shell of what she once was. She will get the help she deserves and he should be locked up for life.
Interesting accusations. You have proof of this? URL we can all read?
I avoided flying for years, and when I needed to fly, I developed panic attacks to the point I couldn’t drive, and could barely ride in a car. I went to the doctor, who gave me a prescription and I was back to driving, and even was able to fly without a panic attack. It requires me to plan ahead when traveling and when to take my medication, but I have had no issues since.
They should have to pay for the damages. They knew they potentially would have these issues and should have taken a sedative. Hopefully he banned from flying any airlines. For everyone’s safety.
Explain in detail why an inflatable slide, and other possible damages could have totaled &170,000.00. I believe there is an error in the reporting.
I’m afraid I’m not an airline mechanic, nor do I do billing, so I’m unable to explain that to you. But a few of my sources (NY Post and a local FOX News affiliate) said they did $170k of damage to the A321. Another one (WCBS News Channel 2) said it was $173k.
Sadly enough, everyone else had to be inconvenienced because, #1 you and your partner both had issues that you were aware of. #2 getting on an airplane requires being in a enclosed area, that you were aware of. Then the icing on top “released without bail”.
1) an 8 month old great Dane? How did that happen? 2) who paid for the tickets? 3) they should have kicked him off BEFORE THEY LEFT THE GATE
Cost of the slide deployment also include the lost revive this aircraft was grounded for maintenance . Aircraft only generate revenue when in flight, not on the ground. There is a domino effect to the deployment which includes cancelled flights the aircraft would have been scheduled for, crew delays, and cost associated with passengers delays.
This was not a weather or air traffic control delay so any costs associated with this and any other flights affected by the deployment would be on the airline. So the 170K price sounds reasonable.
As far as flight crews being “trained” to handle PTSD and other mental issues onboard flight sounds easier than some of you suggested. Sounds like this person needs more professional help. Fortunately these two will, or should, placed on the No Fly list for all airlines.
For those questions regarding the amount of room on the flight, most airlines are still following reduction in seating on flights due to Covid. The cabin, if sold to capacity level would have had been only 60% filled.
Sadly this couple were released without bail. They’re free to reek havoc somewhere else. The world has not turned wicked, just the ones in it.