US Flight Diverted to PHL After Bomb Scare
Jan 21, 2010, 10:14 am
#16
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I actually think this was the right move from what I've read so far. If none of the crew knew what it was, it's better to not take a chance IMO. You can't possibly think that asking the pax is a reasonable option, do you? Do you think they would readily admit they were attempting to do something negative? That's like asking someone who committed a crime if they did it, IMO.
Jan 21, 2010, 10:17 am
#17
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It's beyond stupid that a flight attendant could depart LGA and not be familiar with the rituals of Orthodox Jews. Not only is the flight attendant hopelessly ignorant but their training is woefully deficient.
Our nation of cowards and idiots continues its descent.
Our nation of cowards and idiots continues its descent.
Jan 21, 2010, 10:17 am
#18
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I actually think this was the right move from what I've read so far. If none of the crew knew what it was, it's better to not take a chance IMO. You can't possibly think that asking the pax is a reasonable option, do you? Do you think they would readily admit they were attempting to do something negative? That's like asking someone who committed a crime if they did it, IMO.
I disagree strongly. Asking the passenger was the ONLY logical option, actually.
If the passenger was indeed a bomber, the flight crew could have tried to prevent the bomber from detonating the bomb. If the passenger was a bomber and the flight crew just waited for the plane to land in PHL, everyone dies.
And in this case, with the passenger not being a bomber, the flight crew would have simply examined the Tefillin and seen that it was clearly not a bomb -- and all the drama would not have happened.
Jan 21, 2010, 10:21 am
#19
Join Date: May 2006
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That's what you get for Trans States Flying =) or Air Wisconsin.
Jan 21, 2010, 10:23 am
#20
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Are you serious?? "Terrorist profile"?? The flight was from LGA. Orthodox Jews are a common sight in NYC. Nothing "terrorist" about an Orthodox Jew. It seems that only the flight crew didn't know.
Jan 21, 2010, 10:25 am
#21
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Sadly agree.
Jan 21, 2010, 10:26 am
#22
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This is just insane. What a sorry state the security of this country is in!
The FA did ask the 17 year old what it was and he politely answered that is was a jewish prayer item. FA tells the pilot and pilot declares a pointless emergency. The other passengers were all shocked because the boy was totally cooperative and polite and obviously no threat.
Here is a full news report:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=twdt-...ayer_embedded#
The FA did ask the 17 year old what it was and he politely answered that is was a jewish prayer item. FA tells the pilot and pilot declares a pointless emergency. The other passengers were all shocked because the boy was totally cooperative and polite and obviously no threat.
Here is a full news report:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=twdt-...ayer_embedded#
Jan 21, 2010, 10:27 am
#23
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I disagree strongly. Asking the passenger was the ONLY logical option, actually.
If the passenger was indeed a bomber, the flight crew could have tried to prevent the bomber from detonating the bomb. If the passenger was a bomber and the flight crew just waited for the plane to land in PHL, everyone dies.
And in this case, with the passenger not being a bomber, the flight crew would have simply examined the Tefillin and seen that it was clearly not a bomb -- and all the drama would not have happened.
If the passenger was indeed a bomber, the flight crew could have tried to prevent the bomber from detonating the bomb. If the passenger was a bomber and the flight crew just waited for the plane to land in PHL, everyone dies.
And in this case, with the passenger not being a bomber, the flight crew would have simply examined the Tefillin and seen that it was clearly not a bomb -- and all the drama would not have happened.
However, if they did all that, I would be somewhat ok with it because they thought there was a threat. I just don't think the passenger can be trusted, just like you cannot reasonably assume that someone who just committed a crime to admit that, yes, they're guilty, if asked by police.
Jan 21, 2010, 10:28 am
#24
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What about the other pax (presumably at least some from NYC)? Why not speak up?
Last edited by Jgish; Jan 21, 2010 at 10:40 am
Jan 21, 2010, 10:29 am
#25
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 8
They have a tefillin in one of the scenes of the film pi. Sweet movie.
Another failure of the system. It's sad that watching movies would be better preparation for these people than ... whatever they're getting. It says a lot.
Another failure of the system. It's sad that watching movies would be better preparation for these people than ... whatever they're getting. It says a lot.
Jan 21, 2010, 10:34 am
#26
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HOLY COW!!!!
OK, so the FA did do the right thing! She spoke to the passenger. ^
But how on earth did the the pilot decide that the plane needed to be diverted? That's the amazing part.
Jan 21, 2010, 10:36 am
#27
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Jan 21, 2010, 10:38 am
#28
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By this I guess every f/a in the entire nation should be taught the rituals of Orthodox Jews. At one point or another we all fly in or out of the NYC area.
I myself have flown many times in and out of the LGA, JFK, EWR and have never seen or heard of a tefillin.
Should this plane have diverted? Probably not.
Should the f/a gotten as much info from the pax and had that info forwarded on to ops via the cockpit crew? Yes.
It is impossible to train all employees in the airline industry on every religious and cultural difference. It is possible to train them how to deal with them and not to overreact.
Jan 21, 2010, 10:40 am
#29
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Similar thing happened when I was praying on FL in J about 6 month ago. All FAs hided in the bathroom and got really scared. I was not allowed to talk during this part of prayer, but luckily my 14 y. o. daughter explained to FA what was happening and plane was not diverted. It was to LGA also.
Never happened to me on UA, however.
Never happened to me on UA, however.
Jan 21, 2010, 10:43 am
#30
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