Eagan man who tipped FBI on Moussaoui on flight diverted to Amsterdam(MN)

Pioneer Press ^ | 23 Aug 2006 | Pioneer Press

[Marius3188]

A Minnesota man who was on the Northwest Airlines flight diverted to Amsterdam Wednesday after air marshals grew suspicious of passengers had prior experience with terrorist plots.

Tim Nelson, the flight instructor who first told FBI officials about Al-Qaida operative Zacarias Moussaoui’s presence and behavior at an Eagan flight school in August, 2001, was on the Northwest flight, according to his wife, Jodie.

Nelson’s call helped authorities arrest Moussaoui that same August, but the investigation that followed failed to thwart the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

Regarding Wednesday’s incident, Mrs. Nelson said her husband specifically noted the crew and air marshals’ professionalism in handling the potential crisis.

[Marius3188]

Small world..

[basil]

Lordy--Ii think I'd quit flying while I was ahead of the game--LOL!

[spyone]

I want this guy on my flight the next time I go abroad.

[bboop]

Does anyone have the original story on these guys? I know they downplayed it tremendously, but I heard they were Muslims passing electronic devices around, etc? MuslimAir still a great idea.

[Shimmer128]

I like your page, Marius

Formerly no one was allowed to think freely; now it is permitted, but no one is capable of it any more. Now people want to think only what they are supposed to want to think, and this they consider freedom.”

-- Oswald Spengler

[beaversmom]

Didn't Moussaoui have some connection to Nick Berg?

[Valin]

No terror link in diverted flight

http://www.guelphmercury.com/NASApp/cs/ContentServer?pagename=mercury/Layout/Article_Type1&c=Article&cid=1156503908764&call_pageid=1050067726078&col=1050421501457
HAARLEM, NETHERLANDS (Aug 25, 2006)

Prosecutors said yesterday they found no evidence of a terrorist threat aboard a Northwest Airlines flight to India that returned to Amsterdam, and they are releasing all 12 passengers arrested after the emergency landing.

The men, all Indian nationals, had aroused suspicions on Flight NW0042 to Mumbai because they had a large number of cellphones and other equipment, and refused to follow the crew's instructions, prosecutors said.

Because of those actions by the passengers, the pilot of the DC-10 radioed for help shortly after takeoff Wednesday and the plane was escorted back to Amsterdam's Schiphol Airport by two Dutch fighter jets. The 12 were arrested after the plane landed.

[houeto]

"In the end, more than they wanted freedom, they wanted security. They wanted a comfortable life, and they lost it all - security, comfort and freedom. When the Athenians finally wanted not to give to society but for society to give to them, when the freedom they wished for most was freedom from responsibility, then Athens ceased to be free. -- Edward Gibbon (1737-1794)"

Thanks, Marius. First time I recall reading this quote.