A passenger who recently disrupted a Delta Airlines flight from Honolulu to Seattle has now been charged with federal crimes. These latest charges follow the unprecedented $52,500 fine imposed by the FAA for assaulting and interfering with the aircraft and its crew. In total, the potential fine is more than $300,000, plus the possibility of up to 20 years in prison.
A federal grand jury in Seattle just returned the indictment that charged Ryan Cajimat, 21, of Kapolei, Hawaii. He is accused of two federal crimes for disruptive and violent conduct on the December 24, 2020 flight. Cajimat is due to appear for arraignment on the charges on November 18, 2021.
According to the United States Attorney’s Office, and based on records filed in the case and in public reports, Cajimat became disruptive about two hours prior to landing in Seattle. He attempted to open the cockpit door and fought with flight attendants who attempted to restrain him.
The assailant punched one of the Delta Airlines flight attendants twice in the face. Cajimat was subsequently restrained for the duration of the flight and then removed from the plane when it landed in Seattle.
While the FAA issued a $52,500 fine, Delta Airlines has banned him from any future travel on the airline.
Cajimat is facing charges for interfering with the flight crew and for assault “within a special aircraft jurisdiction of the United States. Interference is punishable by up to 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Assault on an aircraft is punishable by up to one year in prison and a $100,000 fine.” That according to the US Attorney’s Office in Seattle.
The FBI is continuing to investigate the case with the help of Assistant United States Attorney Natalie Walton-Anderson.
This comes following a widely publicized issue that happened this week on American Airlines, albeit not involving Hawaii. In that case, a New York to California flight was diverted to Denver when a passenger assaulted a flight attendant in what was described as an altercation related to a mask requirement.
The man had been drinking and did not want to wear a mask apparently. He punched a female flight attendant in the face, breaking her nose, which required hospitalization.
American Airlines said it was “outraged by the reports of what took place on board. The individual involved in this incident will never be allowed to travel with American Airlines in the future, but we will not be satisfied until he has been prosecuted to the full extent of the law,” it said without elaborating on what triggered the altercation. “This behavior must stop, and aggressive enforcement and prosecution of the law is the best deterrent.”
Bad behavior on this Hawaii flight resulted in the highest FAA fine to date.
The FAA’s fine, in this case, is the largest yet, as relates to this passenger who attempted to open the cockpit door, disobeyed cabin crew instructions, then physically assaulted a flight attendant multiple times.
Managing stress on a plane.
1. Don’t fly if you are angry or having a difficult time dealing with a situation in your life. That could make matters worse in the air.
2. Watch alcohol intake if that changes your personality. You are still responsible for your actions.
3. Remember that flight attendants are there for our safety. They work in an incredibly stressful environment, and need to be treated professionally.
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Um Yes…both are 100% useless in your two scenarios. I’m sorry, but where exactly is the logic here, Stanley?
Why would you “be more relaxed without the mask”, if you have anyone untested that gets on a plane, regardless if they have been vaccinated or not? The logical conclusion would be that everyone should be tested, and test negative, before getting on a plane, since the virus can be passed along by anyone. Being vaccinated has no relevance, and definitely shouldn’t allow a free pass.
These incidents might slow down if severe penalties are actually applied and not just set out as “possible”. Plus, the lifetime ban needs to not only be enforced on the airline where the event occurred but on all US carriers. Let the misbehavior on other airlines be dealt with by those countries.
They Must be held accountable.The Message must be united and very Strong, if you do these things you will Pay for it. If customers lose faith in flying safely, that could impact so many and cost big $$$ not to mention putting people out of work when the flying numbers drop. There is NO excuse for these behaviors. The do not-fly list needs to be shared so All other Airlines unite together and the message is clear, this is Unacceptable, won’t be tolerated!
I wholeheartedly support Enforcing the jailtime for anyone who commits a violent act on an airplane. Frankly, any mode of public transportation! Often we hear of people being escorted by the police off the plane, and then nothing else. Are they simply having a wrist slap? These workers are there for our safety and there must be consequences for verbal and sexual assault, spitting, defiance of rules.
while i appreciate the advice to passengers, this person was either mental or a violent sociopath. Youre pretty much preaching on deaf ears as 99.999% of people have no use for such advice
The fact that airlines will surely use this to justify more restrictions on the general public is tragic. do they punish the entirety of society when someone loses it and murders someone? no they do not (yet)
Sure this case is the extreme, but what you don’t realize is it has become more and more prevalent for passengers to believe they have a right to be aggressive, belligerent, and disrespectful towards flight attendants. This has been building up gradually over the last decade. I have 2 longtime friends who worked for American Airlines for over 35 years and retired early because of this little known fact. It happens more than you know because you don’t hear of it until it’s an extreme case.
What are reasons fir such violent behavior, other than drinking? Why so many cases suddenly? Simply limit folks to 2 drinks period!
Aloha BOH Bro’s
It’s me Rich, surprised, probably not.
I’ve got experience dealing with US Government Attorney’s. If a US Attorney has this must interest in making an example out of you, this guy is really screwed.
I mean really screwed.
And the reason you wouldn’t make an example of him and anyone else who threatens a passenger jet en route?
We can only hope they finally get off their behinds and Do something about the situation and Then not let the news media bury it under other more ratings getting stories.
Mahalo Jeff and Rob for your stellar reporting.
It’s my opinion that ANYONE who attacks ANYONE, especially any of the flight crew, should be banned for life from any airline on the planet!! I’m completely serious. They should be put on a Terrorist watch list.
Shame on this behavior.
Woe be the person that tries anything on any flight I’m on. It’ll be on like Donkey Kong!
Sign me A Fed Up American.
Aloha Always 🌺🌺
Hi Pam.
Thank you! Delta Airlines says the carriers should share their no-fly lists in order to prevent disruptive passengers flying on other airlines.
Aloha.
Should be shared with ALL public travel entities.
Sounds like we need the return of Federal Air Marshals or the airlines hiring private security to handle these situations. And yes, fines, prison sentences, etc.
Guessing FAM’s have all been defunded.
Disruptive abusive passengers should be banned from all airlines! Put them on a no fly list.
I guess it isn’t only tourists from the mainland who are a problem.
At least he wasn’t called a ‘Local’ in this case.
We need to stop labeling people as Tourists or Locals.
Idiots come in all sizes, colors and shapes.
Smoking or smelling of marijuana prior to a flight will also get you denied boarding.
It would be nice if these people that can’t behave on a plane were placed on a no fly list on ALL airlines.
I survived 8+ hours wearing a mask flying to/from Kaua’i in September. It was a wonderful visit.
where I live in the Bay we don’t even arrest child arsonists, let people rob stores openly with zero consequences and love to go easy on violent crime.
I think 25 years is more than rapists and murders get but indeed there needs to be some serious penalties to dissuade such entitled behavior.
I’ve seen people go on planes even had em turn back half way.
It’s good to see you are one of many trying to get somewhere don’t ruin it for everyone.
Exactly right!
Drugs, “off medications” “mental issues” alcohol, the list goes on for excuses for this
behavior. Time to put an end to it! Start giving the Maximum sentences out maybe it will stop these screwballs, there is NO excuse for any of that type of behavior.
We have a friend that is a SWA Attendant I fear for her and think about her every time I see this crap on the news.
I haven’t been able to fly anywhere for quite awhile BUT when we did we brought special treats for all the Crew.
While this criminal has been banned from Delta, he should be placed on a No Fly list to include all airlines for at least 5 years. This safety precaution is in additon to the charges he faces, no matter what the outcome in court. Proven family or medical emergencies should be the only exception.
Those with these kinds of assaultive behaviors should be banned from flying on every airline, period. It’s still a privilege to fly, even if you paid for the ticket, and they don’t have the right to endanger others.
Should be banned from trains, planes, ships and buses period let them walk or just stay home.
I was rather happy the last time I flew Southwest to find they were no longer serving alcohol on their flights.
I can’t help but wonder if his problems extended into other substances than alcohol.
I just shake my head in disbelief!
It’s time we gave the maximum jail time and fines for this type of behavior. He endangered the lives of all on board and deserves to be punished accordingly. He knew the rules before he stepped on the plane.
Let’s see, if you punch a flight attendant in the face, you can be fined $250,000.00 and get 20 years in jail, but if you’re at the Capitol where five people died, you can get a misdemeanor plea deal….something’s not right.
You’re a funny guy.
Your comment is not even close to being relevant to the subject of this discussion.
If EVERYONE on board a flight is vaccinated, passengers would be more relaxed without the mask. I hope we can look forward to this soon.
Why? The vaccine has not been shown to prevent you getting the Vid nor does it stop you from spreading it even if you don’t feel sick so…
A seatbelt won’t save you if you crash into a brick wall at 100 MPH, does that mean seatbelts are worthless?
A bulletproof vest won’t stop a 50 caliber cop-killer bullet, does that mean BPV are worthless?
What IS the big deal about wearing a mask? Having been in Critical Care Medicine and EMS for 40 years I was in and out of Isolation, mask and gown situations, frequently so it’s NO Big deal.
That was years before universal precautions were even thought of. I’m now immunosuppressed and vaccinated and plus post 3 heart attacks so I Choose to wear a mask when in public. No big deal, don’t judge me if I choose to wear a mask. I might be protecting myself and / or you.
It’s about time that serious fines get levied to these offenders.
We flew Cabo to San Jose last week on Alaska.They wouldn’t let a obnoxious drunk man on the flight. GOOD JOB!