Flight attendant allegedly attacks other crew members, air marshals during flight

An American Airlines flight attendant is facing federal charges after allegedly attacking an air marshal and members of her own crew, and disrupting both the outbound and return flights from Charlotte to Frankfurt, Germany. According to an affidavit by Joseph D. Fialka, an air marshal on American Flights 704 and 705, Joanne Snow slapped the lead flight attendant, hit and shoved Fialka himself and grabbed a second air marshal by the collar of her shirt while speaking "nonsensical things."

Fialka said that before the flight left Charlotte Douglas International Airport on November 23, Snow told him that she was "crazy" and a "train wreck." Her alleged behavior for the duration of the trip seemed to confirm her own assessment. Fialka said:

"Prior to the flight taking off, I was verbally notified by several flight attendants that flight attendant Joanne Snow was acting irrationally and in a manner that caused concern for the safety and security of the flight. The crew members told me they had requested that SNOW not work on the flight with them due to her erratic behavior, however the American Airlines management did not remove her from work status."

After Snow slapped her co-worker, the crew reportedly became so upset that they were unable to fully do their own jobs. In addition, the other crew members and the two air marshals had to deal with what Fialka described as Snow's "irrationality." When the flight left Germany for its return to Charlotte, the same crew — including Snow — was assigned to the flight. Fialka said that she still appeared to be "unstable" but she didn't hit anyone else until the flight was on the ground.

When the plane landed in Charlotte, Snow became "more agitated and upset than she had at any point in the previous two days." She screamed, yelled and attempted to bypass the border control officer. The air marshall then showed Snow his badge and said that she would be detained for her own safety. He said:

"I directed her to turn around so I could handcuff her because of her erratic behavior. She complied and I restrained her with handcuffs. After this, I escorted her to an interview room. She became non-complaint with me before we got to the room. She sat down and then laid completely on her side. When I reached down to lift her back up she kicked me approximately five or six times striking both my legs."

According to the Charlotte Observer, Snow has been charged with interference with flight crew members and assault on an officer or employee of the United States. In a statement to Road Warrior Voices, American Airlines spokesperson Ross Feinstein said:

"We are aware of the incident, along with the subsequent criminal complaint, and take this matter very seriously. We are cooperating fully with federal law enforcement in their investigation, and are working directly with our employees. The safety and security of our customers and employees is always the top priority."