Scores of Chinese Air Passengers Smashed Computers and Desks and Clashed with Police
August 28th, 2008It’s like a scene out of Player Piano.
Via: Reuters:
Scores of Chinese air passengers smashed computers and desks and clashed with police Tuesday after a night stranded at an airport without accommodation, state media said.
More than 170 passengers were due to leave Kunming, capital of southwestern Yunnan province, on three flights operated by China Southern Airlines late Monday, but the flights were cancelled due to bad weather, Xinhua news agency said.
“All the passengers had to spend the night on the planes or in the departure hall,” Xinhua said. “No one came to tend to their food and board.”
The passengers clashed with airport police Tuesday morning, smashing computers and desks, Xinhua said, blaming the melee on China Southern staff’s “inappropriate working attitude.”
At around 2 a.m., many of the passengers — including toddlers and people over 60 — took taxis to a hotel where China Southern said they could stay, only to be turned away once they arrived, Xinhua said.
Frustration at mysterious delays, diversions and cancellations have at times boiled over into violence at Chinese airports as passengers try to storm grounded aircraft and police are brought in to keep the peace.
There have also been cases in which passengers, after delayed arrivals, have refused to get off the planes in protest.
Related: Chinese Cop-Killer Becomes Internet Hero
Research Credit: DrFrost501
It gives me hope: maybe after living under a repressive regime for years, they’ve become used to it, and so aren’t afraid of it. So my hope comes from the idea that maybe, in a few decades, Americans will be in the same boat. The repressive regime part, at least, is developing nicely.