Student Arrested at Logan Airport for Trespassing

When he learned Delta Airlines had given away his Thanksgiving break ticket home on Wednesday night, B.J. Averell '02 did what he does best: he improvised.

The Dunster House resident and member of the improvisational comedy group On Thin Ice was discovered stowed away in the restroom of a Delta Express small jet in a valiant attempt to get to his Collingswood, N.J. home in time for Thanksgiving.

Logan Airport security officials arrested Averell for trespassing and disorderly conduct. The sophomore will be arraigned today in East Boston District Court.

Averell arrived at Logan International Airport Wednesday night and cleared the security checkpoints with a ticket he purchased for a 6:15 p.m. flight from Boston to Philadelphia.

When he reached the airport's Terminal C, however, Averell was denied access to the plane. Airline officials informed him that he had not arrived in time and forfeited his seat to a passenger flying standby.

Determined to spend Thanksgiving Day with his family in their Philadelphia suburb, Averell passed by flight attendants at Logan Airport's Gate 14. He then vaulted a wall near the terminal to join passengers as they crossed the tarmac.

Upon boarding the plane, Averell found his seat occupied. He decided to spend the flight in the airplane's bathroom, where he remained until a fellow passenger informed a steward about his presence, Averell said.

The plane had not taken off yet, and airport security officials led the luckless Averell off the plane and arrested him on charges of disorderly conduct and trespassing.

The plane was then evacuated and searched carefully for signs of terrorism, Averell said.

After he was taken to the state trooper's office, Averell called his Dunster House suite.

When his roommate Lembit L. Beecher '02 answered the phone, he thought Averell--a dedicated member of his improv comedy troupe--was playing a practical joke.

"It was a little surprising," Beecher said."He said that he just wanted to get home for Thanksgiving."

Another of Averell's roommates took the T to the airport and paid the $25 to get him released, Beecher said.

In the end, Averell flew home the next day--and arrived in time for Thanksgiving dinner.

The story appeared in newspapers across the country and on CNN.

"Don't believe everything you read in the newspaper," said Averell, in reference to stories that have appeared in other publications. "I cannot tell you all that happened now, but soon you will know the truth--and the truth will set you free."

Averell said his legal strategy will be a push to delay tomorrow's hearing to a later date rather than to plead.

Averell refused further comment yesterday, as his attorney had advised him not to tell his version of Wednesday's events in the hope that Delta does not decide to press charges at today's hearing.

If the charges of trespassing and disorderly conduct are not dropped, the greatest punishment Averell could face is a fine, according to the sophomore's father, Brian Averell.