9 Muslim Passengers Removed From Jet

[wheezer]

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/01/01/AR2009010101932_pf.html

Any thoughts on how this was handled?
The issue I have with this, is that the F.B.I. cleared all nine and asked that they be allowed back on the flight. The employees/pilot refused. So basically the employees/pilot feel they know more than the F.B.I.. The plane was still on the tarmac, the F.B.I. cleared them, so I find it just a little odd that they were not allowed on the flight.

[wheezer]

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090102/ap_on_re_us/muslim_passengers_removed

[Roamer]

They spoke with one of the couples on GMA this morning.

The airline has offered free trips, compensation, etc. They haven't decided whether or not to sue, they said.

[texanne]

If all they did was discuss the safest seat on a plane (as inappropriate as that would be given todays climate), I think the airline overreacted. You would think that they would have had enough sense to just quietly board the dang plane and shut their mouth. However, I have heard questionable things said by nervous people myself.

[wheezer]

My whole issue with this, is that not long after it happened they released a press statement. In that statement there was no apology. Then in like 3/4 hours after the first press release they were releasing a new statement. In this one they were apologizing, offering new tickets, etc....I think upper management realized this was a big PR boo boo.
No one is going to get upset with them for interviewing the family, for calling the F.B.I. to interview the family, but what people are going to get upset about is that after the F.B.I. clears them your employees still refuse to board them. After the F.B.I. calls your employees to straighten this out, your employees still refuse to board them. Basically your employees have the mindset that they know more about this than the Government Agency that handles these things. I just find it complete arrogance on the part of the employees.

[Texas53]

My whole issue with this, is that not long after it happened they released a press statement. In that statement there was no apology. Then in like 3/4 hours after the first press release they were releasing a new statement. In this one they were apologizing, offering new tickets, etc....I think upper management realized this was a big PR boo boo.
No one is going to get upset with them for interviewing the family, for calling the F.B.I. to interview the family, but what people are going to get upset about is that after the F.B.I. clears them your employees still refuse to board them. After the F.B.I. calls your employees to straighten this out, your employees still refuse to board them. Basically your employees have the mindset that they know more about this than the Government Agency that handles these things. I just find it complete arrogance on the part of the employees.


Ok.....I'll play Devil's Advocate:

I don't think the employees think they know more then the FBI. Our FBI has been known to have a score of zero when it comes to foreign intelligence. That was proven right before 9/11 when someone tried in the agency to get to higher-ups what would/could happen and did. Plus we have seen how bad the names of people are on the watch list (i.e. babies names, politicians, etc). It could very well other passengers still felt uncomfortable and made it know. Therefore, majority wins.

When you are in the air, be it terrorists or stupid drunken or crazy fools, you don't have an area you can escape easily. We have no way of knowing whether these employees had an up close and personal experience during 9/11 losing family and friends. For many of us, we are still wary and will never forget or just go on as if it never happened.

That being said, the airlines should have apologized immediately. As for anyone getting on a plane, as Texanne said, keep your mouth shut. JMHO

[Mrs Robinson]

I didn't read the entire article but I understand passengers concerns especially when it concerns Muslims/Arabs. Passengers profile individuals the same as TSA and LE at airports. One difference is TSA profiles for the most unlikely to complain if pulled aside for the additional security check, the most common target for TSA employees is older white men.

An apology was due since there seemed to be a lack of tact by some airline employees but when it comes to refusal to allow boarding by the pilot, if there was a concern, he is the ultimate authority who gets on that plane, not the FBI.

[TeeOne]

Ok.....I'll play Devil's Advocate:

I don't think the employees think they know more then the FBI. Our FBI has been known to have a score of zero when it comes to foreign intelligence. That was proven right before 9/11 when someone tried in the agency to get to higher-ups what would/could happen and did. Plus we have seen how bad the names of people are on the watch list (i.e. babies names, politicians, etc). It could very well other passengers still felt uncomfortable and made it know. Therefore, majority wins.

When you are in the air, be it terrorists or stupid drunken or crazy fools, you don't have an area you can escape easily. We have no way of knowing whether these employees had an up close and personal experience during 9/11 losing family and friends. For many of us, we are still wary and will never forget or just go on as if it never happened.

That being said, the airlines should have apologized immediately. As for anyone getting on a plane, as Texanne said, keep your mouth shut. JMHO

I agree with Texas. The incident certainly made the rest of the passengers uncomfortable, as well as the staff. If I would have been on that flight, I would have been glad they were denied reboarding.

[wheezer]

I guess it is just me. I flew from where I live in Western New York to NYC on December 3rd, and had a couple in back of me discussing this very thing. Never thought twice about it. If anything I thought it was sweet how they were trying to reassure each other. I just personally think we tend to go to extremes. Before 9/11 security was way to laxed. Now, even after being cleared someone can't get on a plane. There IMO needs to be a middle ground.

[maryhaze]

late on this one, but has it occurred to anyone that if these poor people were gonna try to bring down the plane, it really wouldn't matter where they sat?? this is bigotry, plain & simple. i hope that airline gets sued out of business.

[Mrs Robinson]

late on this one, but has it occurred to anyone that if these poor people were gonna try to bring down the plane, it really wouldn't matter where they sat?? this is bigotry, plain & simple. i hope that airline gets sued out of business.Just curious why you would want the airline sued out of business because of a lack of tact?

[janicelee]

I guess it is just me. I flew from where I live in Western New York to NYC on December 3rd, and had a couple in back of me discussing this very thing. Never thought twice about it. If anything I thought it was sweet how they were trying to reassure each other. I just personally think we tend to go to extremes. Before 9/11 security was way to laxed. Now, even after being cleared someone can't get on a plane. There IMO needs to be a middle ground.

I have to agree this is a little bit nuts. I've lost track of the number of times I was asked that question both pre and post 9/11 by a nervous flyer. This was an absolutely insane example of an over reaction to an innocent discussion.

[Sioux_Girl]

Maryhaze I agree its just being racist it really is.

Those people were Arabic looking so what? Its not just Arabs and Muslims who can blow planes up.

When Sept 11th happened I was on holiday in Canada and was due to fly home via America the 11th but ofc all planes were cancelled. I had to wait a week to get a flight home..and the two people in my row were Arabic/Asian looking. And while I admit I was terrified the whole way home I certainly never thought about flying or kicking up because they was on the plane.

I do think people are racist and its incidents like this that dont help as Muslims see people being denied access for no reason on a plane and it just fuels there hate :(

[Mrs Robinson]

Maryhaze I agree its just being racist it really is.

Those people were Arabic looking so what? Its not just Arabs and Muslims who can blow planes up.

When Sept 11th happened I was on holiday in Canada and was due to fly home via America the 11th but ofc all planes were cancelled. I had to wait a week to get a flight home..and the two people in my row were Arabic/Asian looking. And while I admit I was terrified the whole way home I certainly never thought about flying or kicking up because they was on the plane.

I do think people are racist and its incidents like this that dont help as Muslims see people being denied access for no reason on a plane and it just fuels there hate :(You're right
Its not just Arabs and Muslims who can blow planes up.
the key word being "can", however in reality it seems it is the Arabs and Muslims who actually do it. We all profile and if I were on a flight and some passengers were acting strange I might be somewhat concerned but if those passengers were Arabs/Muslims I would probably be really concerned . That isn't hate, it is common sense.

[Sioux_Girl]

You're right
the key word being "can", however in reality it seems it is the Arabs and Muslims who actually do it. We all profile and if I were on a flight and some passengers were acting strange I might be somewhat concerned but if those passengers were Arabs/Muslims I would probably be really concerned . That isn't hate, it is common sense.


Right...

Reading your post...I can quite understand - for the first time in my life actually why Muslims/Arabs feel the way they do :(

[Mrs Robinson]

Right...

Reading your post...I can quite understand - for the first time in my life actually why Muslims/Arabs feel the way they do :(Who was it that set off bombs in three trains and a bus in England in 2005?

[Sioux_Girl]

Who was it that set off bombs in three trains and a bus in England in 2005?

And what was Timothy McVeigh? So if we see Americans acting suspiciously should we refuse them admission on planes in case there going to bomb something? There are a few bad apples in every society but why label them all the same?

You know ...in all honesty...if you go on a plane and dont feel comfortable with someone on there...the answer is to get off the plane yourself IMO

[texanne]

I think the airline overreacted. Strange how our nation still totally has the blinders on about port and border security....but people cannot discuss seats on an airplane.

[Mrs Robinson]

And what was Timothy McVeigh? So if we see Americans acting suspiciously should we refuse them admission on planes in case there going to bomb something? There are a few bad apples in every society but why label them all the same?

You know ...in all honesty...if you go on a plane and don't feel comfortable with someone on there...the answer is to get off the plane yourself IMO If someone is doing something suspicious on a plane it should be reported and let those trained decide on action needed.

[Sioux_Girl]

If someone is doing something suspicious on a plane it should be reported and let those trained decide on action needed.

IF they are yes. But it doesnt sound thats happening. It sounds like gangs of white people are just ganging up on the Asians/Arabs. This isnt the first time its happened and its just plain disgusting.

I honestly think whenever it happens they should sue the airline companys because at the end of the day why should they be denied the right to fly?