9.13.22 – American Airlines Flight Attendant Union Applauds Sentencing of Abusive Passengers

Tuesday, September 13, 2022

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact: Paul Hartshorn, Jr.
[email protected]

American Airlines Flight Attendant Union
Applauds Sentencing of Abusive Passengers

(Euless, TX) – On February 24, 2021, an American Airlines flight from Dallas-Fort Worth to Los Angeles was diverted to Phoenix after a passenger altercation during the flight. Kelly Pichardo and Leeza Rodriguez fought with another passenger who asked them to stop using a racial slur. One of the women became upset and spit at the male passenger who had asked them to stop using that language. The man started recording the incident on his cellphone and Rodriguez allegedly struck his hand to stop him.

Last week, Pichardo was sentenced by United States District Judge Dominic W. Lanza to four months in prison followed by 36 months of supervised release. Rodriguez is scheduled to be sentenced pursuant to her guilty plea in this case on November 7, 2022.

“Our primary focus as Flight Attendants is the safety of our passengers and crew. The violent behavior displayed on the flight from Dallas to Los Angeles must stop. APFA will continue collaborating with other Flight Attendant and Customer Service Agent Unions, the Department of Transportation, the Federal Aviation Administration, and Congress to ensure these offenders are prosecuted to the full extent of the law with appropriate fines and criminal penalties.” – Julie Hedrick, National President, Association of Professional Flight Attendants, representing the 24,000 Flight Attendants at American Airlines.