There’s all kinds of misinformation and speculation being reported as fact as to why John Mark Karr flew business class back to the United States.
On an early news show this morning I heard it was for security, that somehow there was less chance of Karr escaping custody (from 35,000 feet?) from the business class cabin. Another theory espoused in the news piece I’m linking to here is that by treating him well he might spill the beans a bit more.
Regardless, the description of Thai Airways business class is somewhat amusing (in a twisted sort of way, given the underlying subject matter):
- Before takeoff, Karr took a glass of champagne from a flight attendant and clinked glasses with Spray, who sipped orange juice.
Dinner on board, served on a starched white tablecloth with silverware, was one many passengers would envy. Karr started with a pate, then had a green salad with walnut dressing. The main course was fried king prawn with steamed rice and broccoli, followed by a slice of Valrhona chocolate cake for desert. Karr drank a beer, crushing the can with his hands when it was empty, then moved on to a glass of French chardonnay with his main course.
…
- After dinner, he flipped through the movie channels and watched “The Last Samurai” starring Tom Cruise. He also dozed on and off, and two guards accompanied him on several trips to the bathroom, each time leaving the door slightly ajar.
I saw this article in the paper today, and the thought that struck me was, “Is this journalist mad that she doesn’t get to fly first class?” (the version I read either specifically said first or didn’t say but insinuated it was first). My second thought was, “Is this a paid advertisement for Thai’s premium product?”
I mean, maybe someone out there cares that Mr. Karr flew first (or business, as you say it was), but that’s all you need to say. Spending several column-inches on describing business class amenities as if they’re offensive to any other sane, thinking person is a waste of paper and ink. Oh, how horrible that the meal was something most passengers would envy. How terrible that he got king prawn and a slice of Valrhona chocolate cake (how did she find this all out, anyway?). And the pure unadulterated injustice of it all that he got to watch “The Last Samurai,” starring the one, the only Tom Cruise. And the fact that he slept on and off throughout the flight is absolutely inexcusable–people are NOT allowed to sleep on airplanes!
Giving Karr this much individual attention is just too much.
I think she was mad that she didn’t get to sleep in that nice, lie-flat business-class chair. She was probably stuck back in cattle class between two fat smelly people.