Tough Consequences for Jerks

From Huffington Post:

Military jets escorted an American Airlines plane to a safe landing at New York City’s JFK Airport on the 10th anniversary of the September 11 terrorist attacks.

NBC LA reports that the two F-16 fighter jets were called into action after three passengers refused to come out of a bathroom on a flight originating in Los Angeles.

There was initially some confusion as to whether the jets had been called, with NBC New York noting that a security official first said fighter jets had been launched and then another security official said they had been set to launch.

A law enforcement official told the AP that the incident isn’t thought to be terrorism.

Pardon my stridency.  What is wrong with people?  3 people who will not come out of the bathroom? How much did it cost us, the taxpayers, to send up those F-16 fighter jets?  How about sending the jerks the bill for that scramble?  If they don’t pay it, get a judgement on them.  Furthermore, how about a year in jail?   I am also ready to ban people who do stupid things on planes from boarding a plane in the United States for life.

From NBCLosAngeles:

The three men were later questioned and released at the airport, an FBI spokesman said.

Passengers told NBC New York after landing that they didn’t even know there was an incident on board until they saw police meeting the flight on the ground.

The three men were drunk.  Each week we read about some fool who wants to do something incredibly stupid on an airplane.  It should be painful and expensive to be stupid.  I don’t care how stupid the rules get.  The airlines and the government rule here.  I have a choice whether to fly or not.  If I don’t like rules, I can stay off planes (and I do stay off these days). 

Why are three people in the bathroom?  Is this a mile high club with a kink or two?  Get a motel room, on the ground, jerks.   They should not have been released.  They should have to pay for the expense to the taxpayers.