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WASHINGTON- United Airlines (UA) banned a passenger and placed him on the company’s no-fly list after he assaulted a gate agent at Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD), according to WUSA.
Christopher Stuart Crittenden, a 54-year-old Maryland resident, punched a United Airlines employee who prevented him from entering a restricted area on March 13, 2025. The incident occurred at Gate D12 when Crittenden attempted to access the jet bridge while other passengers were still deplaning.
Photo: N i c o l a | FlickrUnited Passenger Assaults Gate Agent
The confrontation reportedly lasted 15 minutes before Crittenden knocked out the gate agent. Sources told WUSA that Crittenden became angry after his original flight was canceled and he was reassigned to a middle seat on a new flight.
Video footage captured the assault, which sent the gate agent falling to the ground. The employee required hospitalization following the incident, according to The New York Post. Authorities have not disclosed the identity of the injured worker.
Authorities arrested Crittenden at the scene and charged him with assault and disorderly conduct. United Airlines swiftly responded by banning the passenger from future flights with the carrier.
Watch video here- MD man punches gate agent in the face at Dulles Airport over seat assignment
Photo: Charles | FlickrAction by The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM)
The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) has called for enhanced protection for airline customer representatives in the wake of the incident. The assaulted United Airlines employee is a member of the IAM Union.
In a statement released on March 14, 2025, IAM Air Transport Territory General Vice President Richie Johnsen and International President Brian Bryant of the 600,000-member IAM Union said:
“Our members deserve a workplace where they can focus on providing excellent customer service—not one where they fear being attacked by passengers. This latest incident is yet another example of the unacceptable rise in violence against frontline airline workers, and immediate action is needed to address it.
Bryant stated that disruptive behavior, regardless of whether it stems from intoxication, aggression, or other factors, creates unnecessary risks to airline operations. He called on the US Department of Justice to enforce existing laws immediately to prevent future assaults.
Source: FAAUnruly Passengers on the Rise
The FAA defines unruly passengers as individuals who disrupt flights through violent or threatening behavior. The agency maintains strict consequences for such conduct, including referring incidents to the FBI when warranted, which can result in felony convictions. The civil aviation regulator can also impose fines up to $37,000 per violation in unruly passenger cases.
The IAM union represents approximately 600,000 active and retired members across various industries in the United States and Canada, including aerospace, defense, airlines, railroad, transit, healthcare, and automotive sectors. Approximately 100,000 of these members work in the airline industry.
“The IAM Union, representing over 100,000 airline workers, including customer service agents, ramp workers, aircraft technicians, stock clerks and flight attendants, calls on FAA to take action and implement the stronger safety standards that recently passed under the current FAA reauthorization. These standards include employee assault prevention and response plan standards.”
– IAM Union
Unruly passenger behavior has increased significantly since the COVID-19 pandemic began, particularly in the United States. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) data reveals 2,102 passengers engaged in dangerous behavior onboard aircraft in 2024. The agency has already received 276 reports of unruly passengers as of March 9, 2025.
Also Read: United Unruly Passenger Tries to Enter into Cockpit, Force Emergency Landing
Unruly passenger behavior is undoubtedly a problem in air travel. The idea that disruptive outbursts have become more frequent over time is supported by statistics. On a smaller scale, unruly passengers cause inconveniences and delays. On the more serious side of things, though, passenger disruptions cause safety problems and occasionally result in expensive lawsuits.
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