'Safest' seat remarks get Muslim family kicked off plane

[Somalimafia]

By Mike M. Ahlers
CNN

'Safest' seat remarks get Muslim family kicked off plane


WASHINGTON (CNN) -- A Muslim family removed from an airliner Thursday after passengers became concerned about their conversation say AirTran officials refused to rebook them, even after FBI investigators cleared them of wrongdoing.
http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2009/US/01/01/family.grounded/art.airtran.gi.jpg

A Muslim family was removed from an AirTran flight after a conversation about the safest place to sit.

Atif Irfan said federal authorities removed eight members of his extended family and a friend after passengers heard them discussing the safest place to sit and misconstrued the nature of the conversation.
Irfan, a U.S. citizen and tax attorney, said he was "impressed with the professionalism" of the FBI agents who questioned him, but said he felt mistreated when the airline refused to book the family for a later flight.
AirTran Airways late Thursday said they acted properly and that the family was offered full refunds and can fly with AirTran again.
"AirTran (http://topics.edition.cnn.com/topics/airtran_holdings_inc) Airways complied with all TSA, law enforcement and Homeland Security directives and had no discretion in the matter," the company said in a prepared statement.
Family members said FBI agents tried to work it out with the airline, but to no avail.
"The FBI agents actually cleared our names," said Inayet Sahin, Irfan's sister-in-law. "They went on our behalf and spoke to the airlines and said, 'There is no suspicious activity here. They are clear. Please let them get on a flight so they can go on their vacation,' and they still refused."
"The airline told us that we can't fly their airline," Irfan said.
The dispute occurred about 1 p.m. Thursday as AirTran flight 175 was preparing for takeoff from Reagan National Airport outside of Washington, D.C., on a flight destined for Orlando, Florida.
Atif Irfan, his brother, their wives, a sister and three children were headed to Orlando to meet with family and attend a religious conference.
"The conversation, as we were walking through the plane trying to find our seats, was just about where the safest place in an airplane is," Sahin said. "We were (discussing whether it was safest to sit near) the wing, or the engine or the back or the front, but that's it. We didn't say anything else that would raise any suspicion."
The conversation did not contain the words "bomb," "explosion," "terror" or other words that might have aroused suspicion, Irfan said.
"When we were talking, when we turned around, I noticed a couple of girls kind of snapped their heads," said Sobia Ijaz, Irfan's wife. "I kind of thought to myself, 'Oh, you know, maybe they're going to say something.' It didn't occur to me that they were going to make it such a big issue."
Some time later, while the plane was still at the gate, an FBI agent boarded the plane and asked Irfan and his wife to leave the plane. The rest of the family was removed 15 or 20 minutes later, along with a family friend, Abdul Aziz, a Library of Congress attorney and family friend who was coincidentally taking the same flight and had been seen talking to the family.
After the FBI interviewed family members, it released them, Irfan said.
AirTran spokesman Tad Hutcheson said the incident began when some passengers reported hearing suspicious remarks by a woman and alerted flight attendants. Two Federal Air Marshals, who were on board the flight, notified law enforcement about the security-related issue, AirTran said.
After the family and Aziz were taken for questioning, the remaining 95 passengers were taken off of the plane and rescreened, along with the crew and the baggage, AirTran said.
Irfan said he believes his family is owed an apology.
"Really, at the end of the day, we're not out here looking for money. I'm an attorney. I know how the court system works. We're basically looking for someone to say... 'We're apologizing for treating you as second-class citizens.'"
"We are proud Americans," Sahin said. "You know we decided to have our children and raise them here. We can very easily go anywhere we want in the world, but you know we love it here and we're not going to go away, no matter what."
Aziz said there is a "very strong possibility" he will pursue a civil rights lawsuit.
"I guess it's just a situation of guilt by association," Aziz said. "They see one Muslim talking to another Muslim and they automatically assume something wrong is going on."

This is getting quite ridiculous really. :-(

[DaveDash]

What I found interesting is the FBI went out of their way (by the looks) to try and get the passengers back on board, and the airline still refused.

The family seems to be being fairly reasonable about this, they are to be commended.

[Somalimafia]

I agree 100%.

Very good job from the FBI for understanding their situation and talking to the airline.

[Invisigoth]

Yay to retarded people. Sure, those terrorists are gonna come on the plane and loudly discuss in English how they're gonna blow it up. Braindead donkeyf*****. I am sure they were also wearing turbans, right? :bash:

[superbuzzmetal]

One of the family members...

http://ataspokok.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/01/haroldkumar2-redband-tsr.jpg

[Evolv5]

Terry wrist!

[DaGreatRV]

Lol, I allways discuss the safest place to sit when I'm in an airplane.
So I guess it would not be strange to discuss something like that, but then again I'm not arabic. p-)

anyway, FBI = win (for not being paranoid)
"concerned" passengers = fail (for being paranoid)

[walford]

This seems like a stupid incident, but make no mistake, some demographics are over-represented in terms of terrorism. Who's fault is that?

When the Imams complained of being denied boarding a flight because of their pre-flight prayers, it came to mind that if I saw some Lutheran clerics praying before a flight, I would not be as concerned. That is because the number of Lutheran terrorist attacks so far in all of human history is about...oh...ZERO.

But don't worry, the airlines will subject a few old white ladies to full body cavity searches to make up for this so they can cite statistics that demonstrate that they are not profiling.

The solution to this is to not even let passengers buy tickets until they've been cleared. Once that has been done, they will be given a pass that will allow future boardings/bookings quicker. These passes would need to be renewed every so often.

The screening process should not take place at the airport; it's stupid and mostly for show.

Honestly, I have no idea why there haven't been any terrorist attacks AT airports. You have a lot more unarmed people concentrated in a small area than aboard the aircraft. The screening doesn't take place until you're about to board, so that leaves a lot of potential carnage in the staging areas (ticket counters, waiting areas, food courts, etc.) One person could plan and execute such an attack with no need for conspirators.

It would get just as much of the desired media coverage.

[Rudolph]

^
Let's not give anyone any ideas...

[walford]

^
Let's not give anyone any ideas...Believe me, I considered that before posting it. I hope the airline authorities will read that and take what I say to heart.

Screen the passengers, not the luggage and do so before they reach the airport. No one should be allowed on the property unless they present authorization to be there [passenger, support personnel, flight crew, et al ONLY].

And yes, I'm sorry, that means no more bringing the whole family to the airport to see the passenger off. Say your good-byes elsewhere.

[Galileo]

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- A Muslim family removed from an airliner Thursday after passengers became concerned about their conversation say AirTran officials refused to rebook them, even after FBI investigators cleared them of wrongdoing.

Atif Irfan said federal authorities removed eight members of his extended family and a friend after passengers heard them discussing the safest place to sit and misconstrued the nature of the conversation.

Irfan, a U.S. citizen and tax attorney, said he was "impressed with the professionalism" of the FBI agents who questioned him, but said he felt mistreated when the airline refused to book the family for a later flight.

AirTran Airways late Thursday said they acted properly and that the family was offered full refunds and can fly with AirTran again.

"AirTran Airways complied with all TSA, law enforcement and Homeland Security directives and had no discretion in the matter," the company said in a prepared statement. Video Watch how Muslims find climate of fear at airport »

Family members said FBI agents tried to work it out with the airline, but to no avail. iReport.com: Share your story

"The FBI agents actually cleared our names," said Inayet Sahin, Irfan's sister-in-law. "They went on our behalf and spoke to the airlines and said, 'There is no suspicious activity here. They are clear. Please let them get on a flight so they can go on their vacation,' and they still refused."

"The airline told us that we can't fly their airline," Irfan said.


The dispute occurred about 1 p.m. Thursday as AirTran flight 175 was preparing for takeoff from Reagan National Airport outside of Washington, D.C., on a flight destined for Orlando, Florida.

Atif Irfan, his brother, their wives, a sister and three children were headed to Orlando to meet with family and attend a religious conference.

"The conversation, as we were walking through the plane trying to find our seats, was just about where the safest place in an airplane is," Sahin said. "We were (discussing whether it was safest to sit near) the wing, or the engine or the back or the front, but that's it. We didn't say anything else that would raise any suspicion." Video Watch Muslims recount how they were kicked off plane »

The conversation did not contain the words "bomb," "explosion," "terror" or other words that might have aroused suspicion, Irfan said.

"When we were talking, when we turned around, I noticed a couple of girls kind of snapped their heads," said Sobia Ijaz, Irfan's wife. "I kind of thought to myself, 'Oh, you know, maybe they're going to say something.' It didn't occur to me that they were going to make it such a big issue."

Some time later, while the plane was still at the gate, an FBI agent boarded the plane and asked Irfan and his wife to leave the plane. The rest of the family was removed 15 or 20 minutes later, along with a family friend, Abdul Aziz, a Library of Congress attorney and family friend who was coincidentally taking the same flight and had been seen talking to the family.

After the FBI interviewed family members, it released them, Irfan said.

http://edition.cnn.com/2009/US/01/01/family.grounded/index.html?imw=Y&iref=mpstoryemail

[MichaelF]

That is because the number of Lutheran terrorist attacks so far in all of human history is about...oh...ZERO.

Except for that Thirty Years War thing.....

[Mundzos]

Any chance for lawsuit....I would try to get the last penny out of that company....Idiots

[miguelencanarias]

Yadda-yadda-yadda, but what the hell is the safest place in the airplane anyway? That's all that matters to me in this thread!!

Just kidding. It's Friday afternoon here, bear with me...

[timetraveller]

Any chance for lawsuit....I would try to get the last penny out of that company....Idiots


I agree ,

I would also sue those that complained as well ,,

[Carib]

the cargo bay in a kennel

[bersaglieri]

That is because the number of Lutheran terrorist attacks so far in all of human history is about...oh...ZERO.



Lutherans are protestants,right? You have heard of Northern Ireland and the rather determined efforts of 2 different flavours of "christians" to out-terrorist each other for the best part of the 20thC?

[Zoomie]

Repost. . . . .

[Mofreaka]

They were probably retarded college girls whose parents have to much money. (The people who reported it)

[deagle]

he brings up a good point. although it could honestly have been miscontrued as suspicous talk, not something ppl hear lightly on an aircraft, regardless of past history.

if things go haywire, there really isn't a safe place on a plane so high in the sky anyway.

[IraGlacialis]

Looks like the family handled the incident relatively well. The FBI being on their side helps.
That being said, they got what they paid for. AirTran sucks.

Lutherans are protestants,right? You have heard of Northern Ireland and the rather determined efforts of 2 different flavours of "christians" to out-terrorist each other for the best part of the 20thC?
Different type of Protestant; the pro-English side consisted mainly of Anglicans, not Lutheran.

[ronnieraygun]

http://i236.photobucket.com/albums/ff128/lajimi/Political/tsa-1.jpg

[Breakfast in Vegas]

What I found interesting is the FBI went out of their way (by the looks) to try and get the passengers back on board, and the airline still refused.

The family seems to be being fairly reasonable about this, they are to be commended.x2. They could have thrown a hissie fit, and rightfully so.

[WarDancer]

Let me guess this right. Muslims get all uppity when someone posts a cartoon of Muhammad, they demand that societies, that they have infiltrated, assimiliate with them instead of the other way around. They storm embassies like a bunch of teenage girls at a Hannah Montana concert. Now, they are mad because an airline booted a family off a flight because of security concerns? Am I right on this?

[MN_Air]

obviously the Catholics won. . .

its to bad that people have to be subjected to things like that, but i guess that is this day and age where everyone is suspicious of everything.

[Macs.]

Did you read the article ? There were no security concerns. :roll:

It's simply because some people were acting retarded and have irrational fear. Fear + Stupidity is a dangerous mix.

[brokenclog]

Makes perfect sense, as all suicide terrorists are very concerned about their safety...

In all honesty, I remember myself being rather "careful" when I saw a Moroccan fellow in traditional attire fiddle with his backpack. We were in a packed train and all I could think off was: If that's a bomb, it's going to be as bad as Madrid. Turned out he was looking for his orange juice.. This was one week after two Imams were arrested while acting suspiciously on a international train to Germany though

[deagle]

Any chance for lawsuit....I would try to get the last penny out of that company....Idiots


he brings up a good point. although it could honestly have been miscontrued as suspicous talk, not something ppl hear lightly on an aircraft, regardless of past history. besides, who would really ask themselves that aloud on a plane anyway ?

if things go haywire, there really isn't a safe place on a plane so high in the sky anyway.

the airline industry is hurting so much right now, they may be next to get a bailout.

irrational fear + stupidity is a crazy mix, but complatency didn't fare any better early september'01...........

[BAF]

ooowww man now i wanna see harold and kumar2 again :d

[Bia]

"When we were talking, when we turned around, I noticed a couple of girls kind of snapped their heads," said Sobia Ijaz, Irfan's wife. "I kind of thought to myself, 'Oh, you know, maybe they're going to say something.' It didn't occur to me that they were going to make it such a big issue."

Sorry Miss Sandy ****** but you wanna run your mouth loud enough for others to clearly hear your rambling safety nonsence on an airplane I'm glad they made a big issue of it and got you tossed off the flight.
Not because of some 911 issue.... but because I get sick of human sloths in small packs talking over audibly as if their opinion matters to the general public.
Guess what.... you're not special... despite the lies your parents told you. You're cattle now STFU and sit down.

:P

[Bia]

"When we were talking, when we turned around, I noticed a couple of girls kind of snapped their heads," said Sobia Ijaz, Irfan's wife. "I kind of thought to myself, 'Oh, you know, maybe they're going to say something.' It didn't occur to me that they were going to make it such a big issue."

Sorry Miss Sandy ****** but you wanna run your mouth loud enough for others to clearly hear your rambling safety nonsence on an airplane I'm glad they made a big issue of it and got you tossed off the flight.
Not because of some 911 issue.... but because I get sick of human sloths in small packs talking over audibly as if their opinion matters to the general public.
Guess what.... you're not special... despite the lies your parents told you. You're cattle now STFU and sit down.

:P

And threatening lawsuits? Harden up.

[GoSka37]

One of the family members...

http://ataspokok.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/01/haroldkumar2-redband-tsr.jpg

While reading through the article... that came to mind.

[Macs.]

Sorry Miss Sandy ****** but you wanna run your mouth loud enough for others to clearly hear your rambling safety nonsence on an airplane I'm glad they made a big issue of it and got you tossed off the flight.
Not because of some 911 issue.... but because I get sick of human sloths in small packs talking over audibly as if their opinion matters to the general public.

I don't know how often you fly, but usually even in the biggest passenger airplanes you still pretty much can hear anyone around you that talks in a normal tone. It's simply a narrow space filled with people.

And if people freak out over people who talk about safety or the best seat in a airplane, maybe they should drive a car or take a ship. PC-World.

[Breakfast in Vegas]

Guess what.... you're not special... despite the lies your parents told you. You're cattle now STFU and sit down.

:PThat's ridiculous. I don't like fat people on planes, or dumbass kids with their PSPs, or grandmothers who forget that you can't carry perfume or water on the plane and slow down the hyper paranoid and ridiculous security checks... but they're special and get to ride too.

[GoSka37]

I don't know how often you fly, but usually even in the biggest passenger airplanes you still pretty much can hear anyone around you that talks in a normal tone. It's simply a narrow space filled with people.

And if people freak out over people who talk about safety or the best seat in a airplane, maybe they should drive a car or take a ship. PC-World.

This is the most sense I've seen you make. I am now scared.

[maa3057]

This is getting quite ridiculous really. :-(
Yeah, because it happens on a daily basis. :roll:

[okieJack]

Quote
"Atif Irfan said federal authorities removed eight members of his extended family and a friend after passengers heard them discussing the safest place to sit and misconstrued the nature of the conversation."

[okieJack]

Quote from topic article:
"Atif Irfan said federal authorities removed eight members of his extended family and a friend after passengers heard them discussing the safest place to sit and misconstrued the nature of the conversation."

This is the story according to the accused. It wouldn't surprize me if the truth of the matter is different. Right now I'll wait untill I know more to deside who is in the wrong.

[Violet Fashion by Mindy]

This seems like a stupid incident, but make no mistake, some demographics are over-represented in terms of terrorism. Who's fault is that?

When the Imams complained of being denied boarding a flight because of their pre-flight prayers, it came to mind that if I saw some Lutheran clerics praying before a flight, I would not be as concerned. That is because the number of Lutheran terrorist attacks so far in all of human history is about...oh...ZERO.

But don't worry, the airlines will subject a few old white ladies to full body cavity searches to make up for this so they can cite statistics that demonstrate that they are not profiling.

The solution to this is to not even let passengers buy tickets until they've been cleared. Once that has been done, they will be given a pass that will allow future boardings/bookings quicker. These passes would need to be renewed every so often.

The screening process should not take place at the airport; it's stupid and mostly for show.

Honestly, I have no idea why there haven't been any terrorist attacks AT airports. You have a lot more unarmed people concentrated in a small area than aboard the aircraft. The screening doesn't take place until you're about to board, so that leaves a lot of potential carnage in the staging areas (ticket counters, waiting areas, food courts, etc.) One person could plan and execute such an attack with no need for conspirators.

It would get just as much of the desired media coverage.

why is though that you can buy a ticket and board a train without even so much of ticket check?

If terrorists were smart they would board a train with 10 or so blokes with backpacks and set off the bomb at Town Hall station at 8:30am or Circular Quay station at 8:30am.

Yeah sure a building wont collapse but the damage done to Sydney would probably be a lot more then what occurred on 911.

Despite this it's possible to board a station and not even get your ticket checked and the train will take you to these stations.

[sp2c]

I've had that conversation allmost everytime I get on a plane :D

I think it's the nervousness

[Bia]

I don't know how often you fly, but usually even in the biggest passenger airplanes you still pretty much can hear anyone around you that talks in a normal tone. It's simply a narrow space filled with people.

And if people freak out over people who talk about safety or the best seat in a airplane, maybe they should drive a car or take a ship. PC-World.
I have flown 12 times in my life and I can assure you I and any friend of mine can have a conversation that doesnt include you... even if sitting directly in front of me.

People are loud... and people that dont think they are loud... are often louder.

This "PC" world you mention is the one where a company decided to use their rights and make a descision and your PCness will now get them a lawsuit.

Flying isnt anyones "right" it is a privilage that you can lose.
People are pussies... harden up.

[Somalimafia]

http://www.militaryphotos.net/forums/showthread.php?t=148889

[Macs.]

I have flown 12 times in my life and I can assure you I and any friend of mine can have a conversation that doesnt include you... even if sitting directly in front of me.

People are loud... and people that dont think they are loud... are often louder.

Especially when the boarding is going on you will hear all kind of people talking that are around you - Are you gonna suppose that anyone should board the plane silenty ?

If I board a plane full of people, then yeah it happens that you catch what other people talk about, even when they are not talking loud. I guess the best would be if all people wouldn't be talking, only if asked by officials. England prevails.


This "PC" world you mention is the one where a company decided to use their rights and make a descision and your PCness will now get them a lawsuit.

Flying isnt anyones "right" it is a privilage that you can lose.

If people are not allowed to fly a plane simply for no real reason than that they talked about something other people don't like or freak out about and look exotic then you succesfully have killed common sense.


Flying isnt anyones "right" it is a privilage that you can lose.
People are pussies... harden up.

People who freak out because someone talks about the safest place on a plane and looks exotic - Yes, I agree.

Lock yourself up, buy a gun, get camera surveillance and shut yourself off from the big bad world. Terrorists everywhere.

[Niels]

why is though that you can buy a ticket and board a train without even so much of ticket check?

If terrorists were smart they would board a train with 10 or so blokes with backpacks and set off the bomb at Town Hall station at 8:30am or Circular Quay station at 8:30am.

Yeah sure a building wont collapse but the damage done to Sydney would probably be a lot more then what occurred on 911.

Despite this it's possible to board a station and not even get your ticket checked and the train will take you to these stations.
You may have heard of the London/Mumbai/Madrid bombings. But keep the ideas flowing.

[BearInBunnySuit]

AirTran apologized



AirTran Airways Offers Apology to Customers on Flight 175 Yesterday

ORLANDO, Fla., Jan. 2 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- AirTran Airways, a subsidiary of AirTran Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: AAI), today issued the following statement regarding AirTran flight 175 originating at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport on January 1, 2009.
Our goal at AirTran Airways is to offer a safe, pleasant and positive travel experience for all customers every day on every flight. We sincerely regret that the passengers on flight 175 did not have a positive travel experience on January 1, 2009.
Security is a shared responsibility and this incident highlights the multiple layers of security that are in place in today's aviation environment. While ultimately this issue proved to be a misunderstanding, the steps taken were necessary.
Alert passengers reported to the flight crew what they believed were inappropriate comments allegedly made by one of the passengers onboard, and the flight crew notified the federal air marshals that were assigned to the flight. The federal air marshals onboard contacted local and federal law enforcement officials who came to the gate and escorted the individuals in question off the aircraft to ensure they posed no threat to the flight. After deplaning the remaining passengers and performing a sweep of the aircraft and rescreening all passengers, crew, checked and carry-on baggage, the flight departed two hours late without the nine passengers who were detained for questioning.
We regret that the issue escalated to the heightened security level it did on New Year's Day, but we trust everyone understands that the security and the safety of our passengers is paramount and cannot be compromised.
We apologize to all of the passengers -- to the nine who had to undergo extensive interviews from the authorities and to the 95 who ultimately made the flight. Nobody on Flight 175 reached their destination on time on New Year's Day, and we regret it.
The airline has refunded the air fares of the nine passengers detained for questioning, has agreed to reimburse the passengers for expenses incurred by taking another airline and has also offered to transport the passengers home to Washington, DC, free of charge.


Media Contacts: AirTran Airways

Tad Hutcheson 678.254.7442

http://pressroom.airtran.com/phoenix.zhtml?c=201565&p=irol-newsArticle&ID=1240093&highlight=

[Emmissary of Peace]

its thinking like this that makes the world as it is right now.

[rchad]

I heard they were from India. Were they even Muslim?

Edit, I should have read the article first! Yes they were Muslim.

[Fargin]

A pretty free alround appology including all passengers.

The familiy father seems to be pretty level headed. I don't agree with Bia that this family entiler brought in on themselves and deserved to get their collective asses kicked off the bus. I think the family were victims of media mass hysteria, where everyone from politicians, journalists to some part of the public has chanted muslim and terror in correlation. I'm pretty liberal and I can't even help, whether I like it or not, to think terrorist? when I see a single muslim person in public transportation.

I think the family is probably better off, accepting the second rate treatment, than taking it to the courts. The laywer father is pretty qualified to determine the case though. Airliners treat passengers like catle all the time, they might throw a chunk of money after a settlement for dismissing the family after being cleared, but how do you fight people seeming all muslims as either potential terrorists or a general more undifined threat.

[Hot Lips]

Better safe than sorry. If they sue I hope the case gets thrown out.

[Seraphim]

Safest part of the plane is in the back. Just dont sit near the toilets.

[domokun]

Seems like that airline has kinda Fight Clubish flight safety policy. You do not discuss flight safety instructions. Airlines are getting crappier on service all the time, about year or two ago some airline started to charge more on emergency exit seats... more space for feet and couple resposibilities if worst happens.

[G-AWZT]

For me, you, and literally everybody in the world, the rule is:


Once you're on airport or airline property, don't do or say anything that makes anybody, staff or passengers, feel uncomfortable safety-wise or suspicious.

[sp2c]

don't think that's their problem though

their problem is that even the FBI cleared them, even after the FBI put in a good word for them, they still weren't allowed to fly

they seem more reasonable about it then I would've been

[Breakfast in Vegas]

For me, you, and literally everybody in the world, the rule is:


Once you're on airport or airline property, don't do or say anything that makes anybody, staff or passengers, feel uncomfortable safety-wise or suspicious.Like be Muslim or look Muslim?

Based on what the article says and what the FBI later concluded, they were doing nothing other than having a conversation that any passenger could have... or is it forbidden to speak about the best place in an aircraft in case of a crash?

This world is becoming a hyper-paranoid tirdball fast.

An apology from the airline and free tickets are in order. A lawsuit would be overkill and equally pathetic, but that brings us back to planet tirdball...

[Bia]

Especially when the boarding is going on you will hear all kind of people talking that are around you - Are you gonna suppose that anyone should board the plane silenty ?

If I board a plane full of people, then yeah it happens that you catch what other people talk about, even when they are not talking loud. I guess the best would be if all people wouldn't be talking, only if asked by officials. England prevails.



If people are not allowed to fly a plane simply for no real reason than that they talked about something other people don't like or freak out about and look exotic then you succesfully have killed common sense.



People who freak out because someone talks about the safest place on a plane and looks exotic - Yes, I agree.

Lock yourself up, buy a gun, get camera surveillance and shut yourself off from the big bad world. Terrorists everywhere.
No sir... you're assuming.

Lets stick to facts.

[Hot Lips]

Frankly, I think the airline responded appropriately. This family was not reported for being Muslim (that is media hype), they were reported for questionable (or perhaps misunderstood) remarks they made while boarding a plane that caused other passengers to be concerned enough to mention it to airline personnel. Once informed the airline was obligated to alert security of a potential risk for the sake of all passengers. Security thought enough of it to remove all members of the family (seperately, not all at once).

The fact that the family also happen to be Muslim doesn't preclude them from the same security measures any other passenger that was reported would have to go through. I'm sure terrorist like those from 9/11 would like to create a climate where they could not be questioned in the future because it wasn't Politically Correct to do so.

The airline opted to allow other passengers that were already inconvenienced to proceed on their trip and refunded the airfare for the family that was removed and detained for questioning. Further, the airline has also offered to pay for their airfare to their destination aboard another flight and apologized for the inconvenience.

Like it or not, the world is changing and inconvenience for the sake of our collective safety is now a part of that.

[gazell]

Like be Muslim or look Muslim?


roflrofl What a world we live in...

Honestly, once on a flight, we had a good old bump and bounce and my kid cried out loudly 'OMG we are all going to die!'. Laughter. The best time the passengers had.

Seriously, a small number of people are very capable to ruin a group's image, it's something the muslim community should take rather seriously, IMHO.

[WKD]

AirTran apologized




http://pressroom.airtran.com/phoenix.zhtml?c=201565&p=irol-newsArticle&ID=1240093&highlight=

And all was right with the world.

[Faheywitane]

This seems like a stupid incident, but make no mistake, some demographics are over-represented in terms of terrorism. Who's fault is that?

When the Imams complained of being denied boarding a flight because of their pre-flight prayers, it came to mind that if I saw some Lutheran clerics praying before a flight, I would not be as concerned. That is because the number of Lutheran terrorist attacks so far in all of human history is about...oh...ZERO.




Take a look at Irish History, Catholics and Protestants "terrorized" each other here for hundreds of years, an extremist is an extremist no matter what their religion.

[Breakfast in Vegas]

Frankly, I think the airline responded appropriately. This family was not reported for being Muslim (that is media hype), they were reported for questionable (or perhaps misunderstood) remarks they made while boarding a plane that caused other passengers to be concerned enough to mention it to airline personnel. We know that, the point being that if they weren't muslim (or muslim-looking) their offhand and IMO rather common comment wouldn't have gotten them bounced off the plane. I've heard many stupider things said in check-in lines and nobody thought twice... and I'm just about as un-PC as it gets. Still doesn't mean paranoia has to take over and it is certainly understandable that the family was upset.

Then again, I wasn't there and don't know how it went down so I can't say for sure.

[armchairpundit]

I can understand the airline not wanting them on that plane even if they knew they were innocent, because of the sheeple. But why not allow them on the next flight? that's just assholery.