TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums St. Maarten - St. Martin Trouble on Westjet flight to SXM

We flew out on Westjet yesterday afternoon and while we in the waiting area two police officers arrived. As soon as the flight landed the officers headed out to the aircraft. While flying back we asked the head flight attendant what had transpired? Apparently a little after takoff a group became loud. As the flight continued the group got louder and was being abusive to other passengers and the crew. Eventually they started smoking on the aircraft. They were stopped and when the aircraft landed they were escorted off the aircraft. I don’t know what the consequences will be in the end but one thing for sure, they will not be flying home on Westjet.

Sorry to hear but our first set of Family flew in today great with baby Zion 👏😊

That sounds like a real bunch of yahoos who have never flown before. I will be flying down on WestJet in less than a month. In all my trips to the Caribbean over the last 30 years, the majority of them on WestJet, I can fortunately say I have never experienced anything more than someone having a few too many prior to boarding, but not out of control.

There seem to be more of these types of incidents than in the past, but it is usually one or two individuals and rarely an entire group. The smoking part is especially odd, since it has been decades since you could smoke on a Canadian aircraft. It will be interesting to see if they can find ANY flight home to Canada. A slow boat via China would be a good time for reflection!

I too have flown many uneventful carib flights... though i will share the following: if you are alert you will hear the FA ask where so n so is seated at beginning of flight... they are pleasent and ask a few non discript questions. Everything goes as planned.

Then, at arrival they give random special instructions before deplaning. Please remain seated we have (pick anything vague reason) onboard.

Note: none of this is random...once on the gateway, look to your left. There you will see several unassuming officers hiding behind airport staff. Said mr or mrs so n so will be escorted off the plane discretely (passengers deplane after officers in position). Passengers are never the wiser.

I have even followed rcmp seperating a senior husband and wife (male vs female rcmp officers) at the yyz airport fron sxm flight.. quite the escorted walk of shame... if you notice. I wish i could watch it on Border Patrol...

Sooo, yes it happens for various reasons, though never such extreme activities have i experienced to carib as that ruckus.

But, i have witnessed air marshalls on Vancouver tarmac ( to T.O. flight).. phew that went down fast.