Unruly passenger arrested for disturbing the peace at Indianapolis airport

Lina PortmanJune 4, 2024

4 2 minutes read

A passenger on a flight from Indianapolis to New York was arrested Friday after being disruptive.
The flight had already postponed its departure by then.
The incident comes after a Virgin Australia passenger was arrested last month after allegedly running around the cabin naked.

An unruly passenger on an Indianapolis-New York flight was arrested Friday.

Shari Ann Chinnis “became disruptive,” forcing the plane to return to the gate, according to a probable cause affidavit from the Indianapolis Airport Police Department. The Endeavor Air flight operating as Delta Connection had already postponed its departure by that time.

Chinnis, who was traveling with her daughter and another woman, became “verbally argumentative” after she was asked to stow her luggage for takeoff, a flight attendant told law enforcement. He was asked to do so “at least five times,” the affidavit states.

The flight crew requested that she be removed, according to the incident affidavit. She initially refused, saying she would have to be arrested in order to disembark, but she and her fellow passengers did so after the agents boarded the plane.

Pull yourself together:Why Air Rage on Planes is Every Traveler's Problem

While speaking with police, Chinnis and her daughter “became very loud” and were “controversial.” The police warned them that they would be arrested if they continued.

“Agents began escorting the three individuals off the jet bridge so Delta could reboard and continue normal operations,” the affidavit states. “As we got to the top of the walkway, Chinnis and (her daughter) started saying they weren't going anywhere without their bags. The officers attempted to remove Chinnis and (her daughter) from the secure side of the airport. Chinnis started causing a scene by raising his voice, disturbing the peace of everyone in the gate area.

She was arrested for disorderly conduct at an airport. No Chinnis attorney was listed.

“Endeavor Air Flight 4994 operating as Delta Connection from Indianapolis to New York – LaGuardia returned to the gate due to unruly passengers on board,” a Delta Air Lines spokesperson told USA TODAY in a statement sent by email. “The passengers were deplaned and the aircraft continued safely to its final destination. We apologize to our customers for the disruption to their travel plans.

The flight arrived in New York about an hour and a half later than expected.

How common are incidents involving unruly passengers?

The Federal Aviation Administration has received 649 reports of unruly passengers this year as of April 28. There were 2,075 in 2023, up from 2,455 the previous year and far lower than the 5,973 in 2021, which saw an increase in incidents.

Lina Portman

Related Articles

2 dead in shooting near Los Angeles Fairgrounds

Luton Town and Leicester City interested in Antwerp teenager

120,000 babies 'stolen': trafficking scandal in Georgia

Group sues Pinal Sheriff Mark Lamb for public records