.
.

BJJ Black Belt Says Bystanders Got In The Way During Viral Plane Incident

BJJ Black Belt Says Bystanders Got In The Way During Viral Plane Incident

BJJ black belt Josh Longood has shared new details about the viral Frontier Airlines incident that saw him restrain a disruptive passenger during a flight from Puerto Rico to Chicago.

While many praised Longood for stepping in and controlling the situation, he recently revealed that some of the people who tried to help after the passenger was subdued actually made things more difficult.
He explained that the biggest challenge came after the passenger broke free from zip ties and had to be restrained for a second time.

Nick Albin, the podcast host, compared the situation to incidents involving police officers, where bystanders often jump in once the danger has largely passed:

They’ll be tying this guy up and everybody wants to contribute, which is a nice sentiment. But sometimes it’s like: “Hey man, I got this. Just let me take care of things.”

Longood immediately agreed:

They see everybody has their phones and cameras out.

All the extra hands, like it’s in such a tight space, it was like driving me crazy.
These guys just kind of wanted to be on camera, and I was like: “Look, man, I got this.”

He went on to describe one moment captured on video where he physically pushed a bystander away from the situation:

There was another video where I actually pushed the guy behind me and I framed on him.
I’m like: “I got it. Stop. You need to like stop right now.”

One particular comment from a bystander appeared to stick with him:

That guy… You could hear him in the video. He’s like: “We got him. We got him.”

And I want to turn and be like: “We got him?”

According to Longood, he had been monitoring the passenger’s behavior long before the physical confrontation occurred.
When flight attendants offered to move him away from the disruptive individual, he declined:

No, you want me to be right here.

By that point, he had already positioned himself to react if necessary, sitting sideways in his seat with his feet in the aisle.

When the passenger eventually lunged at an off-duty flight attendant, Longood acted immediately.
He mounted the man, secured control of his arms, wrapped his legs around him, and prevented him from posing a threat to others nearby.

Sloth Jiu-Jitsu: The Ultimate Guide for Calmly Beating Bigger, Younger Opponents

💥 What if slowing down was the fastest way to win? 💭 Tired of Getting Smashed by Younger, Stronger Grapplers? It’s not your age. It’s your strategy. If you’re a passionate grappler over 35 who’s sick of getting outpaced, outmuscled, or out-cardio’d by opponents half your age — this 120 page e-book was made for you. 🔓 Unlock the Power of Sloth Jiu-Jitsu: Sloth ebook

Build Sustainable Strength—Without Wrecking Your Joints, Energy, or Jiu-Jitsu

Tired of waking up sore and burnt out after lifting? Sloth Strength is a proven blueprint for grapplers over 35 who want to get stronger—without the pain, burnout, or injuries.

Developed from 25 years on the mats, this no-burnout approach is made specifically for BJJ athletes in their 30s, 40s, and beyond.

Sloth Strength eBook Cover