Monday, October 5, 2009 "This is your captain brawling..."

While I'm sure it was traumatic for the passengers, it had to have been better than what normally passes for in-flight entertainment on the airline. From Reuters:

Air India says mid-air scuffle no threat to safety

Mon Oct 5, 2009 9:31pm IST

MUMBAI (Reuters) - A mid-air scuffle between pilots and crew of an Air India flight at the weekend did not endanger the 106 passengers on board, said a spokesman for the airline which has ordered an inquiry.

Two pilots and two crew members have been grounded following the incident on a Sharjah-Lucknow-Delhi flight, said Jitender Bhargava, which began as a heated exchange on a charge of sexual harassment against the pilots by a crew member.

Blows were also exchanged in the scuffle that spilled into the cabin late on Saturday night, according to media reports.

"At no stage was safety compromised. It was a clear case of indiscipline," Bhargava said.

"Our report is still awaited. We will decide on the course of action when it is ready," he said, adding that Delhi police were also investigating.

The ailing state-run carrier last week canceled dozens of flights when about 250 pilots went on strike to protest against plans to cut pay incentives as part of a broader cost-cutting exercise.

The unprofessional attitudes, the blatant sexual harassment, the complete disregard for the safety of those around you - gosh, none of that sounds like the India I visited!

The only means of travel more dangerous than flying is the motorcycle. Don't worry, desis have that covered, too: