Fliers Restrain Unruly Passenger With Shoelaces

An Alaska Airlines passenger who attempted to open a plane's emergency exit as it began its descent into Portland, Ore., yesterday was tackled by fellow passengers who tied him up with shoelaces, the Oregonian reports. Alexander Herrera, a 23-year-old from Arizona, made "unusual statements" as he went for the door, witnesses say, but after he was stopped he sat calmly "surrounded by big guys" until the plane landed, the AP reports. He was booked on a charge of trying to interfere with a flight crew. (More airline passengers stories.)