Within the past two years, there has definitely been a rise in airline companies having issues with passengers.
In some of the worst-case situations, airline workers have been faced with travelers who violently assault them. Multiple stories like this have made the news, with passengers later facing the legal consequences for their actions.
At least some of the uptick in unruly behavior is believed to be connected with the now-revoked mask mandate for air travel.
Shortly after Joe Biden came into office, the mask mandate for all travel was set in place; however, on April 18, 2022, a federal judge out of Florida struck down the mandate, much to the joy of the public.
However, one man who apparently choose to masturbate mid-flight on Southwest Airlines is faced with jail time, according to the New York Post.
A Sickening Display
34-year-old Antonio Sherrodd McGarity has a 48-day jail sentence to look forward to, along with 12 months of probation. This comes after McGarity took it upon himself to expose himself and then masturbate for approximately 60 minutes.
According to prosecutors, the Texas man pled guilty to charges against him; these charges included indecent or lewd acts amid aircraft.
For anyone looking for a pic of Antonio Sherrodd McGarity who was arrested for masturbating on a @SouthwestAir flight. Here he is! His mugshot isn’t easy to find. I wonder why??? 🤔🤔 A whole lot of plane pics tho here’s a hashtag too for your convenience #antoniosherroddmcgarity pic.twitter.com/4yKIrLKA3Q
— celebrityfanout2 (@RobertJSamuel) April 5, 2022
Along with McGarity’s legal penalities, Southwest Airlines has taken real action against him as well. He is banned from using their airline for the rest of his life.
Moreover, during his time on probation post-jail sentence, McGarity will not be able to take a commercial flight anywhere within America.
A Mental Health Crisis in America
Over the past several days, there have been renewed conversation about the status of mental health, notably among American citizens.
Many people believe the United States is currently suffering from a mental health crisis of epic proportions.
Folks with this mindset have warned that this is a key reason why so many people are behaving in dangerous, destructive, and self-sabotaging ways.
Texas Man Guilty of Lewd Acts on Flight from Seattle to Phoenix: Antonio Sherrodd McGarity of Texas pleaded guilty to lewd, indecent, or obscene acts while on an aircraft and was sentenced to 48 days in prison. https://t.co/Ez8zpWeE9b
— FBI Phoenix (@FBIPhoenix) May 25, 2022
Numerous people have questioned the state of mind that McGarity would have to be dealing with in order to believe that exposing himself and masturbating on a public plane was acceptable.
Law enforcement certainly wasn’t amused by it and neither were the airline passengers or Southwest employees. It remains to be seen whether or not a future or similar incident like this emerges from the Texas man once his jail time and probation period have ended.
Months ago, Delta Airlines CEO called for individuals who behave in unruly ways on planes to be completely banned from all commercial flights.
What do you think is the driving force behind unruly behavior on flights and elsewhere? Do you believe the United States is suffering from a mental health crisis? Be sure to share your thoughts with us below in the comments section.
