Jack Parlin, Alaska Man, Accused of Gnawing on Crewman's Arm After Plane Lands at Sea-Tac

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Hands down, the worst part about commercial air travel is the landing. Your plane touches down, you taxi to the gate, and then . . . interminable waiting. Your legs and back are sore, you have to pee, you're tired and hungry--the experience can try the patience of even the most resilient traveler. And, apparently, 38-year-old Jack Parlin is not the most resilient traveler to ever leave the state of Alaska for Seattle. Parlin is being held in King County Jail on $50,000 bail and will likely face second-degree assault charges after he allegedly bit a flight-crew member's arm shortly after landing at Sea-Tac.

The incident occurred around 4:35 a.m. Monday morning, according to a probable-cause statement filed in King County Superior Court. Police received word of a "suspicious" person on Alaska Airlines Flight 108, which had just arrived from Anchorage. When the cops arrived, they found Parlin pinned to the floor at the front of the jet by the flight crew and several passengers.

According to eyewitnesses, Parlin bolted to the front of the plane shortly after landing. The flight crew stopped him and had him sit on the floor in the aisle. Then while the plane was still moving toward its assigned gate, Parlin stood up and tried to open the main cabin door.

The flight crew's first officer, Clifford Kontos, tackled Parlin and pinned him down. Other passengers piled on, and in the ensuing tussle Parlin allegedly began fighting dirty. According to court documents, he bit Kontos on the right forearm, creating a bloody cut that went "deep into his flesh" and caused "substantial disfigurement."

Both Parlin and Kontos were taken to the hospital, and the former was eventually booked into King County Jail. Parlin resides in Anchorage and has no prior criminal history in Alaska or Washington. King County prosecutors will decide today whether to file assault charges. No word on whether prosecutors will take into account the state of Parlin's bladder, back, stomach, and legs at the time of the incident when determining whether to press charges.
Jack Parlin Charging Documents

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