Terror in the Skies, Again?

[Eeyore1954]

Originally posted by 4cruisin
First, if you were the one watching this take place and did not have the same feelings...good for you. The last time I checked, the number of terrorists that have been middle eastern men is a lot larger in number than white males. When the next attack happens and it is determined that a bomb or weapon was assembled by 16 Syrian males on board a plane, remember what this author wrote.

Oh phuleeze! So now ANYONE of Middle Eastern descent is automatically suspect?

I stand by what I said: this was a major overreaction by someone who is obviously living in terror. It's articles like this that I'm sure make terrorists happy because they are accomplishing one of their goals -- to make people live in fear of what might happen next.

The flight crew on this flight should be reprimanded for their behavior and for contributing to the anxiety and fear of the passengers.

The author should be ashamed for writing this and contributing to a sense of mass hysteria.

 

[DisneyAddict_M]

Well, THAT doesn't make me feel all warm and fuzzy.

 

[Eeyore1954]

Originally posted by DawnCt1
Who was the actor, (his name eludes me right now) who was on one of the dry runs from BOS to LAX before 9/11? Maybe if someone had "over reacted" on that flight when there was a bevy of suspicious behavior, we wouldn't have had a 9/11. If you can point out to me where Caucasian males are blowinig up planes or flying them into buildings, you may have a valid point but for now, its Middle Easterners 13 for 13.

So what would you propose? Oh, I know ... let's ban anyone of Middle Eastern descent from flying a domestic flight in the U.S. That will make us 100% safe again, right?

 

[NMAmy]

I agree that this is frightening but I would like to point out a couple of things.

Detroit has a large Middle Eastern population. I would not think it odd to see a large number of passengers of Middle Eastern descent at the airport or on a flight from the area.

I've been to several restaurants in the Detroit airport (my husband insists on arriving early--on our last European trip, he got me to the airport SEVEN hours early so we wouldn't miss the flight!). Each restaurant had plastic silverware. I remember specifically because I couldn't figure out why at first, then DH explained it to me.

You do have to go through security to get past the front ticket desks to the boarding gates. I'm not sure how she figured their instrument cases weren't checked--perhaps I missed something when I read the story. And how does she know their passports weren't checked? I've always had my identification checked. DH is a resident alien and has always had his green card and passport checked. If they were not within the US (took a connecting flight), then they would have gone through Immigration and Customs.

You also have to show identification when boarding the plane--boarding pass and ID. And I have flown Northwest out of Detroit.

So, even though it's a frightening story, I don't think I'd jump on the bandwagon to start profiling a group of people due to religion and race.

 

[wvrevy]

I can't believe I'm gonna say this, but I agree with Steve To me, overreacting because the people are "muslim-lookin" is the moral equivalent of crossing the street when you see a black man walking towards you. There is NO difference between the two.

As for quoting Anne "I'm a Nazi" Coulter...anything that *expletive deleted* is for, I'm against, just on principle

 

[Trish Bessette]

This is so scary. Once again, looks like were setting ourselves up for not acting until it's too late.

So glad I don't have to fly anywhere anytime soon. I hate to be like that...

 

[DoeWDW]

I will agree that people of a certain race should not be profiled. However I DO think the ACTIONS and BEHAVIORS of ALL PASSENGERS should be monitored. As I stated before, it wouldn't matter if a group of SOCCER MOMS were behaving as in this article - I'd be concerned.

 

[wvrevy]

Originally posted by DoeWDW
I will agree that people of a certain race should not be profiled. However I DO think the ACTIONS and BEHAVIORS of ALL PASSENGERS should be monitored. As I stated before, it wouldn't matter if a group of SOCCER MOMS were behaving as in this article - I'd be concerned.

That much I'll agree with

 

[AirForceRocks]

I would have found such behavior suspicious no matter who was doing it.

And I'm incredulous that anyone would actually believe that the flight attendants should be reprimanded for their behavior. Are you serious??? They are supposed to be on the lookout for suspicious behavior - they would be derelict in their duty if they didn't.

 

[Doug123]

Interesting article (though you do have to keep in mind the source of it). It somewhat amazes me that with everything they've implemented, you still get circumstances such as the one described in the article (if accruate -- again, you have to keep in mind the source of article).

 

[DawnCt1]

Originally posted by Eeyore1954
1. Oh phuleeze! So now ANYONE of Middle Eastern descent is automatically suspect?

2. The flight crew on this flight should be reprimanded for their behavior and for contributing to the anxiety and fear of the passengers.

The author should be ashamed for writing this and contributing to a sense of mass hysteria.

1. I think a group that boards separately, communicates silently and engages is similar behavior in a systematic way, is suspicious. The fact that they are middle easterners certainly does raise numerous red flags. We have not lowered the threat level and Al Queda has not change their intentions. When blonde haired, blue eyed nuns start blowing up planes I will change my mind but for now, Middle Easterners are my number one suspects.

2. You are chastising the flight crew for responding to a series of suspicious behaviors but had they responded to the dry runs from BOS to LAX or to the actual events of 9/11 sooner, things may have been different.

3. We don't know what in actuality the author was witnessing. Was she witnessing a dry run? Was it an aborted hijacking? We don't know.

 

[damo]

Was there a follow up article? Were they musicians?

 

[PatriciaH]

Originally posted by 4cruisin

I would have been freaking out if I had been on that plane. To be honest, if I saw what the writer saw before I boarded, I probably would not have boarded the plane at all.
Nancy

I think I would have gotten off the plane as well.

 

[4cruisin]

Originally posted by Eeyore1954
Oh phuleeze! So now ANYONE of Middle Eastern descent is automatically suspect?
:No, not necessarily just because they are of Middle Eastern descent but by virtue of their suspicious actions.


I stand by what I said: this was a major overreaction by someone who is obviously living in terror. It's articles like this that I'm sure make terrorists happy because they are accomplishing one of their goals -- to make people live in fear of what might happen next.

I]I don't live in fear at all. I travel, I work, I do everything that I did before 9/11. However, I am much more aware of my surroundings wherever I go.[/I]

The flight crew on this flight should be reprimanded for their behavior and for contributing to the anxiety and fear of the passengers.

The author should be ashamed for writing this and contributing to a sense of mass hysteria.

[The author should be commended for her willingness to speak out about what she witnessed and subjecting herself to riducule by people that believe they are living in a more secure country because of 9/11 and that terrorists will not strike again on US soil.

 

[DawnCt1]

Originally posted by damo
Was there a follow up article? Were they musicians?

They could have been musicians while they were also being "something else".

 

[poohbears5]

We are suppose to be staying alert so that is exactly what the writer and attendant were doing nobody overreacted but they watched . I would of been very nervous with all the activity on that plan.

 

[4cruisin]

Originally posted by DawnCt1
They could have been musicians while they were also being "something else".

 

[Eeyore1954]

Originally posted by AirForceRocks
I would have found such behavior suspicious no matter who was doing it.

And I'm incredulous that anyone would actually believe that the flight attendants should be reprimanded for their behavior. Are you serious??? They are supposed to be on the lookout for suspicious behavior - they would be derelict in their duty if they didn't.

Yes, I am serious. Telling a passenger that there are federal marshals on board is a violation of their duties. How did that flight attendant know beyond any doubt that the person she was talking to was not a terrorist? Because he was a Caucasian U.S. citizen?!?!

I fully support flight attendants doing their duty and looking out for suspicious behavior. But if rummaging around in your carry-on luggage and going to the lavatory is suspicious behavior, then at least 1/2 to 2/3 of every flight I've ever been on has practiced "suspicious" behavior!

 

[currycook]

scary. Just came back on a flight and the pilot did ask that you not wait near the bathrooms. I thought it strange as I never heard that before.

 

[AirForceRocks]

True about the attendant mentioning the marshals - that shouldn't have been done.

As for the people getting up and down, rummaging through carry-ons, etc., yes, people do that during flights. But it is unusual for groups to be doing it at the same time, silent communications, etc. Or at least it is in my experience.

Of course all people of Middle Eastern descent shouldn't be banned from traveling - that's ridiculous. But with limited resources, it only makes sense to concentrate those resources on those groups that have historically been the most likely to commit the act of terror that one is trying to prevent.