Posted on 01/28/2010 9:43:15 AM PST by Free ThinkerNY
A South Jersey woman got the scare of her life when she tried to report suspicious activity on board a plane Philadelphia International Airport.
The woman shared details of her terrifying ordeal only with Fox 29 News on Wednesday.
Now, she's wondering if it was some kind of sick joke or a test run for a terrorist.
Fox 29's Dave Schratwieser reported that 12 days after her red-eye flight from Los Angeles, the US Airways passenger is still upset over an incident on her flight, the reaction to it by the flight crew, and the lack of reaction from authorities.
"I was trembling, and I was just completely frightened," said the mother of three.
She won 't soon forget her latest US Airways flight from L.A. to Philadelphia after she encountered a passenger on board who scared the daylights out of her.
"He starts talking to himself. Then he goes, 'Detroit, huh-huh-huh,' like that, and it was really, really frightening," she said.
The woman, who asked to remain anonymous, said the passenger was Muslim and repeatedly made a reference to the latest terrorism incident in Detroit on Christmas Day with the so called "underwear bomber."
The passenger immediately told a flight attendant, who then told the pilot before the plane even left the gate.
What the flight attendant said next shocked the passenger: "'The pilot has asked me to ask you if you think we should leave the gate.' And I looked at her, and I said, 'What?'"
The woman told Fox 29 News no one from the flight crew spoke to the man or investigated further. Then, the pilot made a call to the flight attendant.
(Excerpt) Read more at myfoxphilly.com ...
I don’t understand why the woman didn’t demand to get off the aircraft.
As a former pilot, all I can say is............just wow.
A prudent pilot would have at least talked to the guy in question. A better one would have had him removed from the flight.
Guess if the woman answered “No, don’t leave the gate” or “Sure, you can leave, but let me off first.” the pilot and crew would have taken her more seriously.
Testing, testing, testing
1. Use your cell phone to record video/audio of the event.
2. Speak quietly to a flight attendant.
3. Speak quietly to another flight attendant.
4. Speak to other passengers. Use their eyes and ears also.
5. Smile and ask the perp, “Are you travelling to Detroit? [Smile] My Aunt Sally lives in Detroit. [Smile] Would you like to hear about my grandchildren? Are you a Lions fan?”
From the article:
“A TSA spokesperson said that if the passenger was passed through security there was nothing to worry about.”
Huh? Are there TSA employees who still haven’t heard of the pantybomber and still don’t get it?”
What is going to stop the tin foil set from claiming random people look suspicious? Can’t remove every “swarthy” looking Greek, Italian, Spaniard, Egyptian, Indian, etc. because someone doesn’t like their look.
I think if she felt the person was a real threat, she would have asked to be taken off the flight. Then her vocalized concern would have had more merit. IMHO.
A TSA spokesperson told Fox 29 that if you have an incident like this onboard a flight you should immediately report it to a TSA customer service person at the airport when you arrive.
You can't write morbid comedy any better than this. This stuff is gold.
1. The muslim, making threats.
2. I'm not flying with any Captain that allows a passenger to make a go or no go decision. That is his ship and if he can't make that call I won't go with him.
I don’t think the captain was asking her to make the decision. I think he was testing the strength of her “hunch” or suspicion. If you’re not willing to miss your connection or get to your destination a little late, you must not feel so threatened. Apparently no one else concurred with her assessment of the situation or had a concern with this fellow passenger.
Sounds like she is trying to get some attention from the media.
I’ve stopped flying. Don’t need the hassle.
“1. Use your cell phone to record video/audio of the event.”
Yeah, the TSA would probably go after you for recording within the POS’s permission.
within = without
If you arrive!!!
We need to take a proactive approach to Muslim airline passangers - if there is a hint of a problem, they are off, or they continue the flight in plastic wire-ties around their ankles.
What is going to stop the tin foil set from claiming random people look suspicious? The Muslim infested TSA, the Muslims in the Military, Homeland Security or political office, maybe an idiot Muslim loving President?
Pick on the victim much?
“Can’t remove every “swarthy” looking Greek, Italian, Spaniard, Egyptian, Indian, etc. because someone doesn’t like their look.”
Heck, I don’t care what they LOOK LIKE, but I trust my gut instincts, and I don’t care WHO they are, if they make me nervous, they should be at least questioned!!! Anyone can convert to ISLAM, lots are. Profile everyone like Israel does.
Not to worry — airline security will imrove with each terrorist-caused air disaster. We should be patient and realize that we have to follow a very shallow learning curve before expecting more acceptable results.
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