this is my statement
"I would like to state for the record that before this incident I was not aware that returning my tray table to the upright position was a matter of national security and an arrestable offence. (I always thought it was a matter of personal safety and my not bangin' my head when the plan landed, or some such thing).
Further, I submit that had the stewardess told me before she put her hands on me that she would have me arrested, I would have listened to her sooner.
See, one of the police officers explained to me that the distractions caused by my refusal to raise my tray table could have resulted in the uwitting cooporation with terrorists who were planning to hijack the plane as it landed at DCA. "
yes, yes. I know. I need to learn how to be less stuborn. on the other hand. I still believe it was a tray table.
needless to say, I did almost get arrested today for not returning my tray table to the upright position as we landed in DC around 9:20pm tonight. good lord and what not.
The first flight attendant came by and said he would give me a few more minutes to finish what I was writing. Then this other flight attendant came by, and told me I had to raise my tray table. Then she tried to raise it for me. and then she physically tried to remove my arm from the tray table so that she could raise it. This action gained her a response along the lines of, "I'm stronger than you."
Following this, with my arm firmly in her grip she told me she could have me arrested for not following instructions. and she asked me if I wanted to be arrested when we got on the ground. This statement earned her a glare which said I wasn't afraid of her.
She left shortly there after, thus releasing my arm, and I quickly raised my tray table.
Sadly, it was not soon enough, because true to her word, the stewardess called the police and when I tried to leave the plane she placed her arm across my path and told me I had to sit down. I did not sit down, though I did not exit the plane.
Once the police arrived they seemed a little unsure of what the problem was. I wasn't causing a disturbance. I wasn't irrational. no one was hurt or dead. When I explained to them that it was regarding my tray table which I had refused to raise because I was writing something that I needed to finish before I forgot where it was going, one of the officers asked my why I didn't get off the plane. and I told him they told me not to. I then explained that all of this happened as the plane was landing, and did not occur on the ground. They checked my record in DC and MD, took my info and informed me that the stewardess was not going to press charges (see there was some speculation on her part about whether or not I had threatened her when I told her I was stronger than her) but that they would have to file a report, and the FAA could pursue civil action against me.
For not raising my tray table.
now, granted. I should have raised my tray table. I don't know why I was being obstinate except for the fact that I was on the verge of a personal epiphany and I didn't want to loose it. I needed that epiphany damn it! but I think that she didn't help matters by trying to remove my arm. And I get truly obstinate when people touch me like that. It's a flaw I seriously need to work on from now on.
While being detained so to speak, one of the other officers, a female, explained to me that the end all be all is that I should have raised my tray table. she's right. but I didn't know you could be arrested for not raising your tray table. things are not what they use to be. National Security has been taken to a whole new level, and tray tables are apparently a top priority. or at least compliance with rules and regulations stating when they must be raised or other wise in the up right position.
and I still state that had i been informed prior to being manhandled that i could be arrested for not raising my tray table, I would have done so.
Anyway, I've decided that should this matter come to civil prosecution, I'm going to appear in court and explain my side of things to the judge, and let him know that now that I am aware that tray tables are a top priority for national security, I will act with all due haste to return mine to the upright position as soon as possible, and ensure that my fellow passengers in my vecinity comply with the same urgency. I will also let him know that, had I been aware of the seriousness of the issue at the time, I would have been more willing to comply. provided the stewardess had enlightened me before she touched me.
sheish. what the world comes to these days I will never know.