essxjay

Disturbing? Or merely curious?? Well, there might be more coming to light in a few days. Keep checking and let us know what you find, will you?

Sometimes posts in blogs or forums (such as ours) take a few days or a week to gain steam. I'm thinking, for example, of an incident that originated right here in li'l ol' TS/S:

I was detained at the TSA checkpoint for about 25 minutes today << aka the origin of the "Kip Hawley Is An Idiot" Freedom Baggie

I'll post more as I think of them.

# # #

Here's a suggestion for those wanting to know more regarding the report by the OP: contact the author of the blog post.

MrAndy1369

Here's what I don't understand:

How come we're too afraid to stand up for that person? WHAT stops us from actually questioning authority? Why are we so intimidated?

I'll admit that I'd be intimidated, too, and probably wouldn't do anything. There. I'm a sheep, but an uncomfortable sheep...I'll bet most of us are, and I want to understand what stops us from simply speaking up.

OutOfOffice

If this story is substantiated, I'm once again ashamed as an American and hope I would have the courage to stand up to a situation like this if I had the opportunity.

MileageAddict

I fear for the overall mental health of this country. If everyone would just take a deep breath, have one of their favorite beverages and get laid, things would be much better.

oneant

First of all, I think those of us who take issue with this kind of thing need to stop posting here about it, letting off even a small amount of steam. Keep it bottled up. Let it build until the slightest little injustice in the name of "security" will allow you to let loose.

We might chip in to bail you out.

Seriously though, what post inevitably appears when a story like this appears aside from those waving their fists? The one that asks for more info, and holds back judgement until all the facts are in.

It's that attitude, I think, that keeps most of us from doing something at the moment it's happening. I would ask myself, "What preceded this that might have caused it? What are the other circumstances surrounding this? If I do something and put myself out there, and I going to be proven a fool when that individual ends up actually being in the wrong in some way?"

MileageAddict

Even if it meant being kicked off the train with my new foreign-speaking friend, I sure as hell would have spoken my mind if I was involved in this scenario.

Shame on those that did not speak up.

bocastephen

I can't speak for the people on the train or on FT, but I would have spoken up. The train conductor is not an authority figure worth bowing to - I'd have no problem arguing with them, getting their name for future escalation, and then writing the necessary complaint letters while shielding the tourist.

I'd do the same if it was a FA as well - if we were at a point in flight where the use of electronic devices was approved. There have been a couple threads posted where crews objected to inflight photography (what a shock: both incidents occurred on UA and AA). Only AA bans photos of the cabin, but does not restrict (nor can they) photography out your window.

The one time I almost got involved in a similar dispute was at EWR. A man was standing in the walkway area in between piers of Terminal C taking photos. A few moments later, a couple goons from the PA-PD rushed over and ordered him to stop taking photos. Given their reputation for goonish behavior, as well as the date of this incident (early 2003), I decided to keep to myself, given the high probability I'd be arrested for interfering.

Yes, we do need to take a stand - but pick your battles carefully, and be prepared for consequences if you push the wrong buttons. In my case (green card holder), I can't afford to be arrested or charged with any crime until I finish naturalizing. Once that's done, I'm probably going to kick it up a notch in the fight back department.

I'd really like to see other people kick it up a notch - and I'd be much happier if the story included reports of other train passengers telling the conductor to go stuff it.

whirledtraveler

But, isn't the conductor like the pilot, or the captain of the ship? Maritime law, you know.

MarcPHL

Disturbed. I, perhaps erroneously, assumed that this occurred far enough in the past that another medium could corroborate. Given the presumed veracity of the account and my aforementioned assumption when I found no such corroboration I though it disturbing that either no news outlet found it worthy of mention, or <reaching for my foil hat> was suppressed.

whirledtraveler

I assumed it was true because it was on an Episcopalian website. If you can't trust religious people to know the truth, who can you trust?

bocastephen

I think the Engineer is the pilot...the conductor is like the flight attendant. Either way, I'd still talk back if they're rudely trying to enforce a non-existent rule - or think they can confiscate my personal property. No one is taking my camera away without a warrant or arrest.

law dawg

Funny how the kid in Florida got tasered and people cheered. Must be because they knew he was an ok fella.

law dawg

Could you make me one of those hats? Where I work, it'd come in handy.

law dawg

It's the same thing that keeps people from coming up with a snappy comeback until ten minutes after the incident.

bzbdewd

You are joking aren't you??