NY Times publishes inside-plane photos of shoe-bomb incident

The New York Times ^ | Dec 30, 2001 | NY Times

[the_second_moon]

Jean-Claude Joly was sitting a few rows back from Richard C. Reid on Flight 63 from Paris to Miami on Dec. 22 when the plane erupted in confusion after Mr. Reid tried to light a fuse coming out of his sneaker. Mr. Joly grabbed his camera and captured the scene in these photos, purchased by The New York Times after they were made available on Friday. In this first picture, about eight passengers used belts and earphone wires to tie up Mr. Reid. They would later say they thought he was drunk.

A flight attendant searched the small knapsack that was Mr. Reid's only luggage and found a passport identifying him as a British citizen.

Two doctors, including the man in red, then injected Mr. Reid with a sedative from the on-board medical kit.

The plane was diverted to Boston, and in the two hours of flight remaining, passengers including Kwame James, a professional basketball player, took turns standing guard over Mr. Reid. Mr. James later said he was amazed at how difficult it was to restrain Mr. Reid. "He was almost possessed," Mr. James said.

[yazd]

Can you trust that these are really pictures from the shoe bomb incident? Why are there no pictures of the guy who had the bomb?

A Pulitzer is waiting for you, illbenice! The NYT (and all the people in the photos) never calculated that you, and you alone, would see through their attempt to have a little fun with the public. ;)

[YaYa123]

Thanks Bogey.

[Irish Eyes]

I am not sure what you mean by "being on the botttom of the pile of hero's" Others were probably closer to the "explosive" situation or better prepared to handle it.They were doing what they had to do, would it make sense for someone with a camera to push them aside for a better picture?

[SarahW]

[dennisw]

Oye!!

[MissAmericanPie]

No it wouldn't make sense to try to get into the middle of that with a camera. From the reports several hero's had to pile this guy, he was "possessed" and hard to handle. About 20 people offered their belts to tie him down with.

I just find it hard to believe that someone would think these are fake pictures. My first instinct would not be to grab a camera until after the situation looked safe, and that is kind of what these pictures look like to me. They seem to have been taken directly after they subdued this turkey, by a passenger that did not want to get in the way.

[illbenice]

A Pulitzer is waiting for you, illbenice! The NYT (and all the people in the photos) never calculated that you, and you alone, would see through their attempt to have a little fun with the public. ;)

Damn right, I am always one step ahead of the vast terrorist conspircy!;-)

[IVote2]

I just find it hard to believe that someone would think these are fake pictures. My first instinct would not be to grab a camera until after the situation looked safe, and that is kind of what these pictures look like to me. They seem to have been taken directly after they subdued this turkey, by a passenger that did not want to get in the way."

I think you are dead right.

About someone thinking these are fake, an old saying comes to mind. "None so blind as those that will not see."

Jen

[pollwatcher]

I know the feeling - but we need to keep these slime specimens alive...and TALKING (at least for a while, until we can round the rest up).

[VaBthang4]

That's it?

Cheesy...

[denydenydeny]

It IS a conspiracy. The Vast Terrorist Wing Conspiracy.

. Agreed. I imagine it drives you as crazy as it does me when people start yammering to the effect:

"'Mighty'America was brought to its knees by a few guys with box cutters, har har har."

In fact the 9/11 operation--counting the wire transfers, plane tickets, flight lessons, hotels, etc., cost easily in the eight figures and took years to set up.

[dansangel]

Thanks for my first real grins of the night!

[MinuteGal]

Regarding the stewardess pouring something into a container at the front, it was reported that one stew threw a glass of water into the perp's face during the melee. Maybe this gal was arming herself with a glass or cup of H2O also. Hmmmm, does she have a license for this weapon?

Leni

[Irish Eyes]

I think that we are in total agrement.
:-)

[Irish Eyes]

I think that we are in total agrement.
:-)

[Irish Eyes]

Ooopps !!

[Barnacle]

During the struggle, Mr. Reid was heard to scream,

"Well, you can knock me down,
step in my face,
slander my name all over the place.
Do anything that you want to do,
but uh-uh,
buddy, lay off of my shoes.
Don't you step on my black suede shoes."

[SuzanneC]

I'm so glad I turned you on to that show. I love the special effects. I was thinking the same things as I watched. I'm glad someone took photos during the incident.

[Atlas Sneezed]

When will we start calling him the "shoe-na-bomber"?

[MissAmericanPie]

Good, cause I was afraid I was going to be told that I am running a paranoid deficiency, hehe.