Man Banned from United Airways After Allegedly Punching Gate Agent at D.C. Airport

A Maryland man has been banned from flying with United Airways after he was seen punching a gate agent within the face in a viral video, in keeping with authorities.

On Thursday, March 13, round 5:30 p.m. native time, the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority responded to an incident at Gate D12 at Dulles Worldwide Airport in Virginia, “the place a passenger punched a United Airways gate agent,” the company stated in a press release shared with PEOPLE on Friday, March 14.

The passenger was recognized as Christopher Stuart Crittenden, 54, of Frederick, Md. He was arrested and charged with assault and disorderly conduct. The agent who was assaulted was taken to an area hospital by the Airports Authority’s fireplace and rescue division, the place he acquired remedy. Authorities didn’t disclose his title.

Within the four-second clip, a person is seen approaching the agent as different passengers disembark on the gate. The person then rapidly punches the agent within the face as he collapses on the ground. Bystanders are heard gasping and expressing shock earlier than the video abruptly ends.

“The passenger concerned has been banned from future journey on United,” the airline advised PEOPLE in a press release on Friday, March 14.

Authorities haven’t confirmed what led to the incident, nevertheless, witnesses advised WUSA9 that it occurred after a flight was canceled. The flight at D12 was stated to be absolutely booked. The agent was making an attempt to cease the passenger from getting nearer to the gate, because the passenger stated, “I am achieved with this bulls—,” earlier than throwing the punch, witnesses stated.

The Worldwide Affiliation of Machinists and Aerospace Staff demanded larger protections for airline employees following the incident.

“Our members deserve a office the place they’ll deal with offering wonderful customer support—not one the place they worry being attacked by passengers. This newest incident is yet one more instance of the unacceptable rise in violence in opposition to frontline airline employees, and instant motion is required to handle it,” the IAM Union acknowledged.

“Throughout the nation, airline customer support representatives proceed to face bodily assaults, together with being punched, kicked, struck by thrown baggage, and having their clothes ripped. A few of these assaults have resulted in life-altering accidents.”

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The union, which represents over 100,000 airline workers, famous that the employees is already beneath immense stress, and mustn’t should “endure the fixed risk of abuse and bodily hurt from unruly passengers.”

“Regardless of the rise in violent incidents over the previous a number of years, there have been minimal authorized repercussions for offending passengers,” the IAM continued, later including, “So long as these violent incidents persist, the IAM is not going to cease advocating for actual enforcement of legal guidelines that defend airline workers.”