jkhuggins

To be fair ... the quote says they were notified of a "disruptive" passenger. That is, someone else made the initial determination that the passenger was being disruptive, not TSA.

Who says he didn't? People pray all the time ... before flight, during flight, after flight, ...

It's a sad day when you have to start ringing your flight attendant in order to get permission to say a prayer ...

JoeBas

So some jittery FA who's never heard of anything that's not WASP diverts the flight, costing her employer HOW MUCH?

Seems to me that maybe a little training would be cheaper for the airline.

mlibers

Someone posted the same question on theyeshivaworld.com

if plane departed LaGuardia at 7:25 a.m, what’s to problem daven before ? You can put Tefillin around 6.20 am.

Comment by homell — January 21, 2010 @ 10:09 am


Kind of interesting? And some calling for a boycott of US Airways.

meducate

It is quite likely that in the rush to get to the airport or get to the gate for the flight, there was not enough time to daven. That said, it was the pax choice when he wanted to daven and I can only imagine how he felt when questioned...

PhoenixRev

+1

mlibers

http://wcbstv.com/local/Bomb.Scare.p...2.1439828.html

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) ― Click to enlarge1 of 1
Philadelphia police respond to Philadelphia International Airport where an emergency was been declared regarding US Airways Flight 3079 on Jan. 21, 2010.
CBS

A flight from New York's La Guardia Airport was diverted to Philadelphia after a bomb scare Thursday morning.

US Air flight 3079 from LaGuardia to Louisville was diverted to Philly after a male removed a "religious device" after takeoff prompting a bomb scare aboard the plane.

The commuter plane that normally seats 50 passengers is operated by Chautauqua Airlines and flies under the US Airways name.

The plane departed LaGuardia at 7:25 a.m. and landed in Philadelphia at about 9 a.m. surrounded by Homeland Security and Philadelphia Police Bomb Squad.

Sources say the passenger was an Orthodox Jewish man who took out a religious article that is worn on the head with leather straps.

The passenger, a U.S. citizen, was questioned and has not been charged.

The flight will continue to its original destination and the man is permitted to remain on board.

RichardKenner

The article was updated to say that he is back on that flight. It just left the gate, but hasn't taken off yet.

craz

I guess the captian asked the FA, Ok did you see if he had any horns? If he doesnt hes up to something, as we all from the South knows that Jews have horns.

alan747

This might be a dumb question, but do you think the crew member took the time to ask the passenger what he was doing?

______________________________________________
The TSA Sucks!

tommyleo

From the story: Chief Inspector Sullivan praised the work of the agencies involved. "Our emergency response plan worked perfectly," he said.

Well, of course it did. There was NO emergency!!!!!!

craz

that wasnt me

I see no reason for a Boycott, got to remember it wasnt USAir but some puddle jumper outfit flying for US. And those crew members probably dont run into Religious praying all too often. It was a Chautauqua Flight so a Boycott would have to include CO & UA & other carriers that Chautauqua flys for as well

jkhuggins

To be fair ... what would be the point? If the FA thinks he's a terrorist, why would (s)he trust anything the passenger says in explanation?

Yet another entry for the War on the Unexpected.

Sean5294

Just to stir the pot a little bit. Would it have made a difference if the guy was a Muslim? Praying was always something we were supposed to look for.

jkhuggins

And how would you know if he was a Muslim? Islam is a religion, not a race.

JoeBas

Yes, they know the next time one of them thar devout Hasidics dare to get on a plane and pray anywhere in the northeast, just send them to Philly - they've proven they can handle them!!!!