Terror in the Skies, Again?

[Eeyore1954]

Originally posted by DawnCt1
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.

Give me a break, Dawn. I see this all the time. In fact, when I am traveling with other staff from my company, we do this. We often board separately, because we chose seats in different areas. We communicate quietly. And GASP! we've been known to actually congregate near the lavatories and talk in whispers. Alert the FBI and TSA and FAA!!

"Middle Easterners are my number one suspects." How incredibly sad for you.

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.

I've seen blonde, blue-eyed nuns practice this same suspicious behavior. I've done this same suspicious behavior. The only people I've not seen rummaging in their carry-ons, opening overhead bins, congregating at lavatories, etc. are the people who are sound asleep.

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.

Maybe I'm too jaded, but this article has all the hallmarks of an urban legend in the making. Either that or the author has one rich, very healthy fantasy life.

 

[Eeyore1954]

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

Yeah, like talking about an upcoming concert or -- GASP! -- using the lavatories for what they were intended for. Oh the horror of it all!!

 

[DawnCt1]

Originally posted by Eeyore1954
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 think the flight attendant did the best she could to allay obvious fears. It would do no one any good if frightened passengers thought that there was no security on the plane. Furthermore, had they been terrorists intend on doing harm, four air marshalls may have needed to depend upon those Caucasian U.S citizens for assistance. The thinking has changed.

 

[AirForceRocks]

"Middle Easterners are my number one suspects." How incredibly sad for you.

Why is that sad? Is there another group that has taken over planes and flown them into buildings? If so, I apologize because I've not heard about it.

Of course not all people of Middle Eastern descent are terrorists, that's ludicrous. But if a group of Middle Easterners have already committed a crime, and you know that there are members of that same group (made up of Middle Easterners) that want to commit more acts of terror, why would they not be the number one suspects? Not the only suspects, obviously, but there is always a list of most likely to least likely, is there not?

 

[PatriciaH]

I think it was James Caan that reported strange activity on his filght right before 9/11.

 

[AirForceRocks]

Originally posted by PatriciaH
I think it was James Caan that reported strange activity on his filght right before 9/11.

I was thinking James Woods, but I'm not sure. It was James somebody though...

 

[minniepumpernickel]

According to the article they really did turn out to be Syrian musicians, and I'm also assuming that they found no bomb making paraphernalia, right?

It's good to question suspiciuos people,and to take pre-cautions. According to the article they were allowed to question two of the men legally on the flight. Why didn't the crew ask to look into the Mcdees bag? Or am I missing something.

Of course lets use this story to spraed more paranoia and hysteria!

 

[DawnCt1]

Originally posted by Eeyore1954
Yeah, like talking about an upcoming concert or -- GASP! -- using the lavatories for what they were intended for. Oh the horror of it all!!

I don't know about you, but I find the bathrooms on airplanes too small to take my camera and other articles in with me. Nor do I orchestrate the trips to the bathroom with other members of my family. Which airline would I rather fly on? The airline that reacts to suspicious behavior, even if it ends up being an "over reaction" rather than the airline that is too afraid of offending foreign nationals that they do nothing.

 

[damo]

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

Sounds like a movie with Jamie Lee Curtis and Tom Arnold.

 

[SplshMtn99]

Yikes! I have everyone here at work reading this & we all have goose bumps.

 

[DawnCt1]

Originally posted by AirForceRocks
I was thinking James Woods, but I'm not sure. It was James somebody though...

James Woods would be correct.

 

[Kim&Chris]

Originally posted by DawnCt1
I don't know about you, but I find the bathrooms on airplanes too small to take my camera and other articles in with me. Nor do I orchestrate the trips to the bathroom with other members of my family. Which airline would I rather fly on? The airline that reacts to suspicious behavior, even if it ends up being an "over reaction" rather than the airline that is too afraid of offending foreign nationals that they do nothing.

I AGREE 100%.

I am, and will remain, suspicious of similar actions by a group of Muslim-looking men. If I saw a group of nuns doing the same, I would not be suspicous. If I saw a group of business people doing this, I would not be suspicious. However, a group of Muslims carrying cameras & McDonald's bags into the bathroom? Yes.

Call me a racist...I don't care. The facts are the facts.

 

[TennVolTony]

This should NEVER be allowed to happen. If you have to profile...then DO IT! Do I believe they were musicians? Not in a million years......If the U.S doesn't keep strict screening processes something IS going to take place onboard an airliner.


The actions aboard the aircraft should have caused the air marshals to react.

 

[twinmomplus2new]

First of all There is no freaking way, I would have gotten on that plane. right on wrong when I am holding my kids lives in my hands Racial profiling is going to occur on my part.

Besides I would have been too busy ****ing myself to get down the jetway.

In late August 2001. We flew Providence to Orlando. With middle eastern men acting strangely one in particular was memorable. We even commented about his being a terrorist. 2 weeks later 9/11 happened . I called the FBI and retold the events. I never heard anything further about the matter.

More than a year went by and imagine my surprise in My NEWSWEEK magazine. There was an article stating terrorists had taken dry runs, and some of those dry runs were PVD into Orlando. Also Boston into Orlando.
I firmly believe I flew one of those dry runs. Never again will I get on a flight that I am even remotely uncomfortable with anyone. If that makes me a profiler. So be it. In fact I will wear a t-shirt stating I am proud of it.

 

[Kim&Chris]

Originally posted by twinmomplus2new
First of all There is no freaking way, I would have gotten on that plane. right on wrong when I am holding my kids lives in my hands Racial profiling is going to occur on my part.

Besides I would have been too busy ****ing myself to get down the jetway.

In late August 2001. We flew Providence to Orlando. With middle eastern men acting strangely one in particular was memorable. We even commented about his being a terrorist. 2 weeks later 9/11 happened . I called the FBI and retold the events. I never heard anything further about the matter.

More than a year went by and imagine my surprise in My NEWSWEEK magazine. There was an article stating terrorists had taken dry runs, and some of those dry runs were PVD into Orlando. Also Boston into Orlando.
I firmly believe I flew one of those dry runs. Never again will I get on a flight that I am even remotely uncomfortable with anyone. If that makes me a profiler. So be it. In fact I will wear a t-shirt stating I am proud of it.

OMG! I bet you were definitely on one of the dry runs. That sends chills down my spine

 

[DawnCt1]

Originally posted by Eeyore1954
"Middle Easterners are my number one suspects." How incredibly sad for you. ...

I've seen blonde, blue-eyed nuns practice this same suspicious behavior.

Don't be sad for me Steve because I dare to take off my politically correct rose colored glasses. While you may have seen blonde, blue eyed nuns rummage through their belongings, I have yet to hear that they have blown up planes.

 

[kellyb2000]

Originally posted by Kim&Chris
I am, and will remain, suspicious of similar actions by a group of Muslim-looking men. If I saw a group of nuns doing the same, I would not be suspicous. If I saw a group of business people doing this, I would not be suspicious. However, a group of Muslims carrying cameras & McDonald's bags into the bathroom? Yes.

Call me a racist...I don't care. The facts are the facts.

And I agree with you 100%.

 

[wvrevy]

Uh oh...here comes a black guy...better hold onto your purse, ladies...quick, go ahead and run across the street before he gets to you !



And you wonder why the politics of fear disgust me ?

 

[TennVolTony]

Since we are talking about airport security.......Tomorrow night my nephew flies in from Memphis on Northwest. Since he is a minor flying alone I have to be at the airport 90 minutes before his arrival. I have to go to the airport security office, then to Northwest Security office to be "screened" and to verify I am who I say I am. THEN on to the ticket counter for a special security pass to get to the gate.Then through the regular screening and a SEPERATE search before I am allowed to go to the gate. He has to be met at the gate. So I have to go through 3, maybe 4 security checks and screenings just to go to the gate to meet him?????

Seems to me like I should dress as a Muslim and maybe I won't have all this trouble!!!! See my point??

 

[Galahad]

Originally posted by wvrevy

And you wonder why the politics of fear disgust me ?

I agree! It disgusts me too.

Uh Oh. Here comes a conservative Christian....watch out, he may pray at you.....

hyperbole begats hyperbole, don't you think?