My main problem with these removals from flights, going all the way back to the first day flights were restarted after 9/11, and the first half-dozen or so people were removed from planes, is mainly that any member of the crew or public can just declare that they are "uncomfortable" with you on the flight and you are gone - no civilized debate, no way to prove that they have no reason to feel uncomfortable -nothing! Sayonara, scary brown person.

My second problem is with the general public, who overwhelmingly either take the position that the people removed are a threat on airplanes and applaud any removal of said people, or at the consider the removal of a few people here and there an indication that real, effective security is in place.

My third problem is the stigma that the person removed from a flight has to bear when everyone around them knows what happened.

I really do wish that the captain of the ship from where a passenger is removed for reasons of race or religion be legally liable for their actions.

Is the captain a FFDO? Then it becomes a federal crime, to wit 18 USC 242.

Interview this morning on local TV, lady (victim) was seated on next flight and was given a voucher for a future flight.

Seems very inadequate to me. Think I would have consulted an attorney before accepting any compensation.

The only way to stop things like this is to force airlines to operate in an unbiased manner and I don't think a voucher will be create enough pain for the airline to reconsider its actions.

Just another punishment for the non-crime of FWV (flying while veiled).

She's suing Southwest.

http://www.boston.com/business/artic...us_plane_sues/

Good for her!! I hope she collects a large award.

On the one hand, I believe the lawsuit has merit and the actions of the crew were based on her appearance. On the other hand, it does seem like Southwest handled it "in good faith" when it happened by giving her an apology and a voucher.

I think what really has to happen is to have the pilot and the crew held accountable. The initial concern that caused her removal seems meritless enough; once she was cleared to fly, the crew's alleged refusal to allow her to reboard seems very hard to justify.

If Southwest is just going to write a big check, this suit will acomplish nothing. This has to be a teaching moment for airline crews so this type of thing isn't constantly repeated.

Agreed! ^

No problem -- One person's injustice is another person's inconvenience. It's all a matter of interpretation....

I am always amazed at the audacity of companies (not just airlines) who commit an atrocity or other injustice on a customer and then placate them with some sort of merchandise voucher. They must actually believe that the individual will actually continue to but their product or service! Or, they might believe that there is very little financial risk to giving her a voucher because of the low probability of it being used.

The only way to even begin to make amends to the woman is for WN to terminate the FA and to make sure she never agains darkens the door of any commercial aircraft as an employee.

And, here's another: An African-American middle-aged man who was reading an illustrated book on aviation, removed from the flight after a FA on this United flight saw the book. Oh my gosh, security issues!

Uh, well, if any U S airline is operating 1946 Polish aircraft, or 1921 Italian aircraft. (Thanks to The Economist for the tip - blog description by "perpetrator" reading vintage aviation books.

Policeman: "Sir, were you looking at a book of airplanes?"

Me: "Yes sir I was. I am a musician for money, but for fun I study old aircraft and build models of them, and the book I was reading was of Polish Aircraft from 1946." The flight was diverted from the runway back to the gate, where LEO and TSA met the flight...

"Policeman: "Would you please go get that book so that i can see it?"

I go back onto the plane - all eyes are on me like I was a common criminal. Total humiliation part 2.

After a couple of minutes he says, "Why, this is all Snoopy Red Baron stuff..."

Me: "Yes sir, actually the triplane you see is Italian, from 1921 a little after World War 1..."

Oh, brother, now I have to worry about taking my aviation mags and books with me?

Policeman: "No problem here then, you can go on back on to the plane, sorry to inconvenience you...and have a nice flight".

.

Already under discussion in this thread:
Don't read books about airplanes while on an airplane.

I am really surprised how many of usually reasonable posters make it a point to condemn WN and the F/A for their action. Does no one remember, why all of us are in this horrible security situation in the U.S? Who caused all of this? Which group of people did this to us?
No need to flame me, but I feel targeted by TSA because I am old and walk with a cane, Mrs. EX is targeted TSA/CBP because she is Asian as are our kids, mother in law is targeted by TSA because she wears a medical device after fighting cancer, then certainly other people should be targeted as well especially if there is a good reason, and be without recourse just like me. On the ground and in the air.

Get back to me when this is being spearheaded by a non-terrorist group.





http://www.redstate.com/jeffdunetz/2...errorist-ties/

Absolutely disgusting behavior, and something that has become far too prevalent. At some point, the FAA needs to step in and start fining carriers heavily for such incidents. While private enforcement is a great remedy, there needs to be some regulatory action here.

Interestingly, two groups often at odds, religious Moslems and Orthodox Jews, are largely the victims in these incidents. Honestly, this should inspire some cooperation and understanding.

Yep

Get back to us when you can find a little better source.

as reported in the new yesterday, a kill commision formed to make a list of to be killed, without a jury trial