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I was on a plane in 2003 where a woman tried to open the emergency exit. A few burly male passengers tackled her and she spent the flight zip-tied to her seat. Police escorted her off the plane before we disembarked.
What are they trying to imply? That the explanation is some weird parasite that makes humans go crazy? I think this title is a bit sensational.

I mean seriously, one good explanation for this might be random chance. You are bound to see a streak or two with an event that is infrequent eventually.

I think the airline spokesman who said that the only reason people cared about this was because of the recent death of Osama Bin Laden was right.

The article answered its own question - the past week Osama got his. That was a game-changer.
But probably a game changer in terms of selection bias -- we're seeing it reported now. But it does happen from time to time.
I believe the best solution to the problem of crazy people trying to exit a plane in mid flight is to provide them with an emergency airlock as opposed to an emergency door.
>Since airplanes typically cruise above 30,000 feet, the air pressure inside the plane is much greater than the pressure outside — and that pressure differential makes it impossible to open the door

Wait, what?