New Jersey

3 New Yorkers Arrested in Spirit Airlines Terminal Chaos at Florida Airport

The cancellations stem from a dispute between Spirit and its pilots, who say they're working without a contract

What to Know

  • Three Long Island residents were arrested after they allegedly threatened Spirit Airline's front counter workers at Fort Lauderdale airport
  • Deputies said their actions caused the crowd to become increasingly aggressive to the point of near-violence
  • When deputies tried to arrest them, they said the three threatened them and resisted efforts to handcuff them

Three New Yorkers accused of starting a near-riot at Fort Lauderdale's airport after Spirit Airlines canceled nine flights, leading to chaos in its terminal, say they were frustrated while trying to get home in time for a college graduation. 

Sheriff's reports released Tuesday say 22-year-old Desmond Waul of Selden and 24-year-old Janice Waul and 22-year-old Davante Garrett, both of Brentwood, were seen by deputies threatening Spirit Airline's front counter employees at the Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport late Monday night. The airline had canceled flights because there were no pilots. 

Deputies said their actions caused the crowd to become increasingly aggressive to the point of near-violence and that they wouldn't leave when ordered. When deputies tried to arrest them, they said the three threatened them and resisted efforts to handcuff them.

The three were charged with inciting a riot, disorderly conduct, resisting arrest and trespassing, and released from the Broward jail in lieu of $10,000 bond each. 

When they were released Tuesday, Janice Waul and Garrett said they were just trying to get back to New York for their college graduation. 

"Our graduation's at seven o'clock today, and we just missed it," said Garrett. "She's supposed to get a bachelor's degree." 

Janice Waul said her original flight was canceled and the airline put her another flight, which was also canceled.

"I was upset, and they tried to say I tried to start a riot," said Waul. "This is ridiculous."

Desmond Waul said of Spirit Airlines, "You guys had security handling like we were animals, all on camera, and it's like, that's my sister, she's a girl. You can't be touching her like that."

The Broward Sheriff's Office said about 500 people were crowded into the terminal Monday night. The discount Spirits Airline says pilots are refusing to pick up open flying assignments, which Spirit claims is an illegal and concerted plot by the Air Line Pilots Association to apply pressure during contract negotiations. It has filed a lawsuit. The union has denied the accusation, saying the cancellations are the airline's fault.

Jennifer Glann said at the airport Tuesday that she was in the crowd Monday night, trying to get home to New Haven, Connecticut. She said conditions were "awful" and "horrible."

"There was nowhere to stand, nowhere to sit," she said. Employees were forcing people to go outside, she said. Soon, scuffles started. "People were getting arrested left and right."

Paul Yankowitz of Newark, New Jersey, said he tried to remain calm as the crowd became enraged. He didn't think the cancellations were worth getting angry about.

"It sucks but like anything else in this life, life is short and you can't get stressed," he said.

Fort Lauderdale airport was the scene of a mass shooting in January that killed five people and wounded six. It happened in another terminal on the opposite side of the airport.

Airport spokesman Greg Meyer said Tuesday that the airport staff has added security agents and other staff at the terminal to help Spirit. He said passengers are often anxious before flying, so any serious disruption can aggravate matters. Three more flights were canceled Tuesday.

"For many people, airline travel is very challenging. A lot of people don't do it frequently, so they are nervous anyway. When your flight is canceled and you need to be somewhere at a certain time it is an imposition and we understand that. The airport tries to work with our airline partner to work with our passengers," Meyer said.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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