Los Angeles, CA – A 16-year-old high school student forced an emergency landing last Thursday after attempting to “rawdog” a 14-hour transpacific flight from LAX to Sydney, enduring the journey with no entertainment, food, or distractions as part of a viral social media challenge.
The teen, identified as Jake Harlan, a junior at Westside High and self-proclaimed TikTok influencer with 2,500 followers, boarded United Airlines Flight 863 determined to stare blankly at the seatback for the entire duration, inspired by online videos of people “testing their mental fortitude.” According to witnesses, Harlan lasted about six hours before cracking, suddenly leaping from his seat in economy class and yelling about “invisible kangaroos plotting against the plane.” Flight attendants reported that he then tried to commandeer the in-flight entertainment system, fiddling with overhead controls and demanding passengers share their headphones. “I thought I could handle the void, but then the seat cushion started whispering stock tips,” Harlan later told authorities, adding, “Next time, I’m bringing my Switch—rawdogging is for masochists and monks.”
Fellow passenger Maria Gonzalez, a 42-year-old accountant from Burbank, described the chaos: “This kid was fine at first, just zoning out like a zombie, but then he grabbed my pretzels and declared them ‘fuel for the resistance.’ I fly for work all the time, but I’ve never had to hide my snacks from a teenager mid-meltdown.” The pilot diverted the Boeing 787 to Honolulu for an unscheduled landing, where Harlan was removed by airport security and evaluated by medical personnel, who attributed his behavior to extreme boredom-induced delirium.
United Airlines has banned Harlan from future flights pending a review, and his parents are facing a hefty bill for the diversion costs, estimated at $200,000. Harlan, undeterred, posted a follow-up video from the ground, captioning it “Rawdog fail, but level up incoming—next challenge: rawdogging detention.” Authorities are now warning teens against the trend, with the FAA considering guidelines for “mental endurance stunts” on long-haul routes.