A woman travelling on a United Airlines flight from London to Chicago has shared her distress at the airline’s alleged response after she reported to cabin crew that the man seated next to her during the flight was masturbating.

Genevieve Pascolla, who shared her experience on social media, apparently awoke mid-flight to discover her neighbour touching himself under a blanket.

Disturbed, Pascolla arose from her seat to alert cabin crew, prompting the woman next to her to do the same.

While United Airlines relocated the two women elsewhere on the flight, Pascolla said that staff made ‘jokes’ to her about the incident, asking “what perfume are you wearing”. Minimising the man's behaviour, stewards also said: “he’s had a bit of wine.”

https://www.independent.co.uk/travel/ne ... 59626.html

Id be laughing at the dude too. At least he waited till they were sleeping , and used a blanket to cover himself ( never use a blanket that doesnt come out of a bag). This is not a a one off, both men and women do this. She was moved and is offended because the staff was joking about getting a solo ticket to the mile high club. This is still less offensive than a couple copulating in the back row.

Oh great...it's been a minute since the last F/A bashing thread.
Let the games begin....

Blockplus wrote:

Id be laughing at the dude too. At least he waited till they were sleeping , and used a blanket to cover himself ( never use a blanket that doesnt come out of a bag). This is not a a one off, both men and women do this. She was moved and is offended because the staff was joking about getting a solo ticket to the mile high club. This is still less offensive than a couple copulating in the back row.

It is bloody well offensive.

I can imagine that the crew tried to defuse an awkward situation with a joke and that misfired.

It seems nevertheless that the crew did take the complaint serious, the masturbating passenger was met by police on arrival.

Blockplus wrote:

Id be laughing at the dude too. At least he waited till they were sleeping , and used a blanket to cover himself ( never use a blanket that doesnt come out of a bag). This is not a a one off, both men and women do this. She was moved and is offended because the staff was joking about getting a solo ticket to the mile high club. This is still less offensive than a couple copulating in the back row.

I'm not offended or bothered by a lot, but I don't want to be sitting next to somebody cranking it on an airplane.

G'day

Lord have mercy. If all people that ever masturbated on public transport were arrested and locked behind bars I guess there would be only half as many travellers. For as long as it is done without disturbing others so what?

Presumably flight attendants see a lot of that, so their reaction to "the issue" is no surprise, reseating the shocked "ladies" definitely solved the problem, if there ever was a "problem"


Cheers

Peter

Those comments are not mocking the women. Instead they’re making light of a situation. Two completely different things.

Navion wrote:

Those comments are not mocking the women. Instead they’re making light of a situation. Two completely different things.

Exactly. Someone is looking for a pay day

How much $ does she want for pain and suffering as well as irreversible mental trauma....the only reason it has resurfaced after a month was the refund denial. Pics of the complainant on other sites describe her as one of those useless instagram models and half her pics she is half naked...

I'm not sure why you're all worked up here. This is a serious matter, and I'm floored that some posters seem to think it's "ok" to masturbate in public - is gross, and illegal (certainly in Canada) and offending passenger deserved to be met by police on landing.

To me it sounds like the FAs reacted properly up to a point - moving the women and calling police. But they also shouldn't have treated it with light comments, which only perpetuate the mindset that #me too is finally taking on (seriously, is it necessary to point this out?)

LHUSA wrote:

Navion wrote:

Those comments are not mocking the women. Instead they’re making light of a situation. Two completely different things.

Exactly. Someone is looking for a pay day

I note that she only went public when United denied her request for a full refund

The crew did what was necessary in moving the passengers, although they should have gone and told him to knock it on the head They did at least have him met by security on arrival.

Why do these things always happen on United?

There are PLENTY of reasons to criticize UA and their employees, but I feel this isn't one of them.

"What perfume are you wearing?" to somebody who was sat next to somebody engaged in entirely inappropriate sexual behaviour is a completely unacceptable thing to say, meant as a "joke" or not.

As for the person upthread who thinks masturbating in a confined public place is acceptable, I have no words.

Hope he wasn't a shooter, those blankets... Yikes!

evomutant wrote:

"What perfume are you wearing?" to somebody who was sat next to somebody engaged in entirely inappropriate sexual behaviour is a completely unacceptable thing to say, meant as a "joke" or not.

As for the person upthread who thinks masturbating in a confined public place is acceptable, I have no words.

Most nonchalant men don't seem to understand that such incidents can also happen to their wives, sisters and daughters.

fightforlove wrote:

Why do these things always happen on United?

Weirdos masturbating on flights happens on all airlines.

UA did what they're supposed to. Report it, have police meet him upon arrival.

Let's not lose our minds because some FAs tried to introduce levity into an uncomfortable situation.

evomutant wrote:

"As for the person upthread who thinks masturbating in a confined public place is acceptable, I have no words.

It's just frowned upon.

SATexan wrote:

Most nonchalant men don't seem to understand that such incidents can also happen to their wives, sisters and daughters.

Why, do you think my wife, sister, and daughter have never heard of masturbation?! They’ve seen worse things. I’m sure they’d say, ‘whatever.’

DaveFly wrote:

SATexan wrote:

Most nonchalant men don't seem to understand that such incidents can also happen to their wives, sisters and daughters.

Why, do you think my wife, sister, and daughter have never heard of masturbation?! They’ve seen worse things. I’m sure they’d say, ‘whatever.’

They'd say, 'whatever', to some guy cranking one out in the seat next to them? Somehow, I doubt that.

I am quite surprised by the amount of casual acceptance of this guys behavior. There are plenty of things that can be classed as fake outrage...but this isn't one of them. FA's may see this all the time, but passengers don't. Get a clue, United.

We had a case at one place where I worked of a bloke caught having a jodrell at his desk, not even covering the operation with a blanket. Although the member of staff who saw it was rather shocked, it was decided that the best way to deal with this awkward situation was merely to broadcast the story around the place. Even a year or so later, his appearance in a room would lead to somebody calling out 'Give him a big hand!' or something like that. Someone wrote an amusing song about the business. He never lived it down.

I guess that one way to deal with such a case on an aeroplane would be to make the bloke look a fool, take the mickey out of him, whilst helping and reassuring anyone who was distressed by such anti-social behaviour.

fightforlove wrote:

Why do these things always happen on United?

They don't just happen on UA. I was on a Scandinavian Carrier where I saw somebody on a domestic Swedish flight on the on the other side of the aisle
do it under a newspaper (I got a glimpse it was the smallest dong I've ever seen.... I couldn't help but piss myself laughing)
and here in Australia a Japanese man got stuck into his duty free alcohol and pulled out porn in front of everyone on his lap top and
started watching it.

There was also the case on BA of a woman coming back from the Caribbean who decided to sit on the armrest and start pleasuring herself.

As much as most people don't wanna see it. I think in a lot of these cases these people are anxious fliers..... and drink too much or pop
a sleeping pill with booze and not realise the effects are stronger in the sky. We had a case down here in Australia where an elderly lady
mixed a stilnox with a couple of glassed of red on a transpacific flight... woke up a few hrs later ... stripped off, and demanded that everyone in
the A- Zone of the cabin where all intruders and leave her bedroom. This is why there's handcuffs onboard. Usually they're harmless. Unfortunately
the nature of Anxiety is some people overdo it with meds or booze to calm down and odd stuff happens.

Theres worse that could happen. There's video going around Youtube atm with some feral woman taking a piss on the galley floor on Wizzair.... that would
concern me more.

mjoelnir wrote:

Blockplus wrote:

Id be laughing at the dude too. At least he waited till they were sleeping , and used a blanket to cover himself ( never use a blanket that doesnt come out of a bag). This is not a a one off, both men and women do this. She was moved and is offended because the staff was joking about getting a solo ticket to the mile high club. This is still less offensive than a couple copulating in the back row.

It is bloody well offensive.

I can imagine that the crew tried to defuse an awkward situation with a joke and that misfired.

It seems nevertheless that the crew did take the complaint serious, the masturbating passenger was met by police on arrival.

Glad they got a grip on the situation...

I'll get me coat...

Must’ve been a cultural clash of case of a European unable to distinguish between a light joke to diffuse the situation. Which, kinda annoys me. Now, put an Aussie in the picture...

You gotta admit, "what kind of perfume were you wearing?" is a hilarious line, especially with zero preparation time.

Chasensfo wrote:

evomutant wrote:

"As for the person upthread who thinks masturbating in a confined public place is acceptable, I have no words.

It's just frowned upon.

Thanks a lot, bin Laden...

JoeCanuck wrote:

DaveFly wrote:

SATexan wrote:

Most nonchalant men don't seem to understand that such incidents can also happen to their wives, sisters and daughters.

Why, do you think my wife, sister, and daughter have never heard of masturbation?! They’ve seen worse things. I’m sure they’d say, ‘whatever.’

They'd say, 'whatever', to some guy cranking one out in the seat next to them? Somehow, I doubt that.

I am quite surprised by the amount of casual acceptance of this guys behavior. There are plenty of things that can be classed as fake outrage...but this isn't one of them. FA's may see this all the time, but passengers don't. Get a clue, United.

Exactly. If someone did that next to my wife/sister/daughter I wouldn't be as nonchalant as that poster.

Unreal.

evomutant wrote:

"What perfume are you wearing?" to somebody who was sat next to somebody engaged in entirely inappropriate sexual behaviour is a completely unacceptable thing to say, meant as a "joke" or not.

As for the person upthread who thinks masturbating in a confined public place is acceptable, I have no words.

to steer the topic to other things, is a good possibility to defuse a situation. one of these simple tools, when you have to deal with customers every day.
sure you can turn everything around..

flydude380 wrote:

Must’ve been a cultural clash of case of a European unable to distinguish between a light joke to diffuse the situation. Which, kinda annoys me. Now, put an Aussie in the picture...

light joke? That's sort of ott rationalization

SATexan wrote:

evomutant wrote:

"What perfume are you wearing?" to somebody who was sat next to somebody engaged in entirely inappropriate sexual behaviour is a completely unacceptable thing to say, meant as a "joke" or not.

As for the person upthread who thinks masturbating in a confined public place is acceptable, I have no words.

Most nonchalant men don't seem to understand that such incidents can also happen to their wives, sisters and daughters.

Yeah, for some people it’s funny as long as it doesn’t happen to them or someone they care for.

Here we go again with flight attendant bashing Level 256. Do we know the tone in which the woman who made the crew aware used in her voice? I doubt that if she expressed grave concern about it, it would have been treated in as humorous a fashion as it was. Just because something very bad like this happened, it doesn't always mean the guilty passenger has to be tackled to the floor and arrested. They were moved to other seats away from him, which was the important thing. But what was more important was for the lady to get her moments of fame on social media.

fightforlove wrote:

Why do these things always happen on United?

Just think of United as the 'Florida Man' of airlines...

FWIW, I asked my wife/sister/daughter for their reactions:

Wife: Eeeww. I’d just look out the window and avoid eye and any other contact.

Sister: I was a New York City school principal. I’ve seen a lot worse.

Daughter: I was a waitress. Do you think I care if some asshole is playing with his meat?

A tempest in a teapot. The complainant is looking for a free trip on United.

Masturbating on a plane... What do we call that?.................. Half Mile High Club.

Blockplus wrote:

offended because the staff was joking about getting a solo ticket to the mile high club.

Was he going like this in his seat?

How are there people in this thread defending the man's behavior? It is not normal or okay to do that in public.

Can't see why United would refund her though?

NYPECO wrote:

How are there people in this thread defending the man's behavior? It is not normal or okay to do that in public.

Because that's the new norm in modern society. Anything goes.

NYPECO wrote:

How are there people in this thread defending the man's behavior? It is not normal or okay to do that in public.

That’s what I was thinking... it’s a really bloody weird thing to do!

The F/A reacted that way probably because they are experienced ones, and they know that making a fuss on a plane for (almost) nothing is not useful to anyone. Because yes, this guy did not have to wank in public, but he was not doing harm or molesting anyone, for disturbing this act may be, especially if you're sitting next. The other passengers were rightfully moved and reseated, and the crew did the necessary to ensure law took over once they landed.

Let's not confuse harassment, sexual abuse or even rape with the action of some weirdo who decided it was time for fun.

bgm wrote:

fightforlove wrote:

Why do these things always happen on United?

Just think of United as the 'Florida Man' of airlines...

They don't call it Flying the Friendly Skies for nothin'

just going to hypothesize for a minute.

is it possible that the man was *masturbating in his sleep?* Yes it can and does happen, probably every one here has had an erotic dream and woke up to find his/her hand attached to that person's joy bits.

Is it possible that the woman made the complaint in a way that said, "Eww the guy I think he is playing with himself in his sleep?"

And then the F/A made a joke b/c F/As have seen it all, similarly to when someone is sleeping and the snoring is enough to rattle the entire plane or someone talking in his or her sleep or someone leans head on neighbor in his sleep. All unintentional.

I don't know if that is the case and I suspect it wasn't because the guy was met with police at the gate, but perhaps the F/As thought *at first* it was one of those embarrassing unintentional sleep things.

csavel wrote:

just going to hypothesize for a minute.

is it possible that the man was *masturbating in his sleep?* Yes it can and does happen, probably every one here has had an erotic dream and woke up to find his/her hand attached to that person's joy bits.

Is it possible that the woman made the complaint in a way that said, "Eww the guy I think he is playing with himself in his sleep?"

And then the F/A made a joke b/c F/As have seen it all, similarly to when someone is sleeping and the snoring is enough to rattle the entire plane or someone talking in his or her sleep or someone leans head on neighbor in his sleep. All unintentional.

I don't know if that is the case and I suspect it wasn't because the guy was met with police at the gate, but perhaps the F/As thought *at first* it was one of those embarrassing unintentional sleep things.

And nobody has mentioned this yet, is it possible that the guy had a bad itch and was just scratching himself? ...maybe.

mjoelnir wrote:

Blockplus wrote:

It seems nevertheless that the crew did take the complaint serious, the masturbating passenger was met by police on arrival.

It can be quite a hilarious situation for the cops..

Cop : You have the right to be silent..but you are being detained/arrested based on reports that you were masturbating.
Passenger : No, you have got this all wrong. You can check my pants. There was this ant [i think] in my pants and i was just scratching trying to get rid of it.
Cop : You can explain that in court. Now pls change..i will have to take your clothes into evidence.

Now...i am not a legal expert; but the next thing is
Passenger: Lawyer pls; i am not going to hand a single piece of clothing over till i see my lawyer.



Disclaimer - I am in no way defending inappropriate behaviour. But just trying to illustrate a different possible scenario and how it might play out given that nobody knows what really happened under the blanket without evidence and what a comical situation it is for the cops however professional they are.

I would advocate for more wanking — it would likely reduce the incidence of air rage.

But seriously, on my recent ten-hour United flight, a young father and mother encouraged their bratty toddlers to run and scream up and down the aisle. The crew didn’t say a word. I think this is more offensive and harassing than some bloke quietly wanking next to me. Should I petition United for a refund?

If she's so offended by the UA FA comment why post it on a Public Site. The alleged wanker yea go in the bathroom, but any offence or slight and people run to social media for the Social detectives to try the case.

To be honest when I first read the article I thought there is no way he was wanking off perhaps he had an itch or he was just re-positioning the boys. Men know can be very uncomfortable when the boys are not in the right spot and sometimes shaking your leg/s isn't enough to move them back into a comfortable position. But then I read that the police did in fact meet the flight so I would say the FA's did in fact take their complaint seriously enough to make sure law enforcement met the aircraft.
If he did finish himself off as they claim although I wonder why were they still looking after they had been moved to another row? If you going to continue to look why not just keep the seats you had obviously you weren't that offended you kept looking and noticed he finished himself off? The statement he finished himself off kind of makes me thing this whole story is a lie but that is just me because I don't understand why you would keep looking after bringing to the FA's attention and being moved to another row.
I hate to be the officer who had to go on board to retrieve the blanket. How do you get rid of that evidence its not like you can just open the window and toss the blanket out.

Know your audience. Not everybody is in the mood for a joke.

millionsofmiles wrote:

Know your audience. Not everybody is in the mood for a joke.

... but everybody's in the mood for a 'solo flight'

bgm wrote:

fightforlove wrote:

Why do these things always happen on United?

Just think of United as the 'Florida Man' of airlines...

I think it is less that "these things" happen on UA at a higher propensity than other airlines as it is the media, social media and Airliners tend to publicize incidents occurring on UA at a higher propensity than other airlines.

Case in point: A few months ago UA sent two dogs to the wrong location. The NRT-bound dog went to MCI and vis versa. That same week, DL sent a dog to the wrong destination 3 times. The UA incident made national headlines, the DL incident was hardly covered, even on this website.

77H