Jagriti Chandra@jagritichandra
While no one wants to condone violence, some FACTS to consider here:
If a passenger has been granted access to the crew line, you cannot accuse the crew of cutting that line. Common sense should apply here. (More on this later.)
The passenger’s account leaves out that he repeatedly used abusive language toward the pilot — including the slur “MC” — which reportedly provoked the confrontation.
Aviation sources say it is still being “examined” whether the passenger was under the influence of alcohol at the time.
The same passenger was booked on a charter flight and is a credit-card points user — coupled with what appears to be a heavy sense of entitlement. (An opinion, but not an unfounded one.)
About the reserved queue: that line is meant to ensure crew members can reach boarding gates quickly, at Terminal 1 the walk is a long one. The passenger was allowed into that line either through a personal connection with security staff, or after seeking special permission. Remember, he is booked on a charter flight!
It’s basic etiquette to step aside and let flight crew pass. They’re not skipping a queue for convenience, but moving through it repeatedly as part of their duty.
That same line, which passengers use once or twice per trip, is one the crew navigates several times a day between aircraft changes.
Unpopular opinion: this entire episode reeks of entitlement — a credit-points traveller on a charter flight taking issue where none existed. Some respect for those in uniform wouldn’t hurt. For passengers, it’s leisure; for the crew, it’s work.
Also Delhi airport's security queues are poorly managed. More such incidents will happen if the airport doesn't spend on properly trained private security agents that are increasingly replacing CISF because the latter are more expensive