Tearing a Coke can earns passenger FBI scrutiny

Atlanta Journal Constitution ^ | August 5, 2003 | MARY LOU PICKEL

[Cincinatus' Wife]

The Federal Bureau of Investigation briefly detained four AirTran Airways passengers Monday after two fellow passengers complained that one of them tore a Coke can, creating sharp metal edges, a spokesman for the airline said.

The detained passengers, who included three men of Middle Eastern descent, were questioned and released after it was determined they were no threat.

The incident involved AirTran Flight 273, after it arrived in Atlanta from Boston. Two business-class passengers became concerned when they saw one of the questioned men tear apart a Coke can and walk up and down the aisle talking to the others.

"He started tearing it and it became kind of jagged," said AirTran spokesman Tad Hucheson. The business-class passengers complained to a flight attendant, and the captain alerted police who met the flight when it landed. "Early indications are that it may have been a case of poor judgment on the part of passengers," FBI spokesman Joe Parris said.

[Jay D. Dyson]

Good Christ, what's next? Holding a piece of paper in a "menacing fashion" that could lead to (gasp) paper cuts??

Walk when you can, drive when you have to, but stay the hell away from flying if you can help it.

-Jay

[joanil]

Maybe they were very thirsty?!?
Thirsty for what one wonders?

[Cincinatus' Wife]

Odd indeed. I certainly would like to have my cuticle sissors back.

[Salman]

What next? Long fingernails?

[ChewedGum]

This doesn't bother me at all. In fact, it demonstrates that airline passengers have become very aware of what is going on around them which is good for all of us. They observed a person who they felt was acting suspiciously and who manufactured a possible weapon from a coke can. All their potential weapons had been confiscated by Airport Security.

The FBI checks the guy out and decides no problem - no harm done. But the fact that people are AWARE is a big deal (to me).

Gum

[joanil]

Especially when the construction of a common 'coke' can is stainless steel (to prevent erosion of phosphoric acid content in coke that would eat through aluminum).
Pretty tough to tear a coke can open. Sure, its thin, but to tear one open and walk around with it?!? What purpose could that serve?

Are they testing our security, just to see what they can get away with?
I am not trying to 'mark' nationalities, but this is darn peculiar behavior.

[sheik yerbouty]

Actually, it is easy to turn aempty soda can into two razors in a matter of seconds.Plastic bottles would be a better choice for airlines. Better yet, tell potential jihadists to take a hike.

[from occupied ga]

Especially when the construction of a common 'coke' can is stainless steel

What have you been smoking - coke cans are ALUMINUM

[csvset]

Perhaps it'll be juice boxes next.

"He was poking the straw about in a menacing fashion."

[gridlock]

Testing...123
Testing...123

Is this thing on?!?

[riverrunner]

Tearing a coke can is very easy. I've done it hundreds of times.

[Patriot1998]

Boy, The USA will be soon a 100% POLICE STATE in no time verus about 80% now.

[HennepinPrisoner]

So a Middle Eastern man tears a Coke can and, oddly, starts walking up and down the aisle and chit-chatting with passengers. Exactly how many people do you see getting out of their seats and just chit-chatting with strangers on other parts of the flight

I doubt he was a threat, but I certainly don't rule out the fact that he was baiting for a racial discrimination lawsuit.

[FreedomPoster]

Y'all humor me and try this. Take an empty Coke can. Pinch it together in the middle, between thumb and forefinger. Grab the ends, and work it back and forth until you've work-hardened the metal and it tears. Continue until you can separate the halves.

Now take a close look at what you are holding. If you don't think this is a pretty good makeshift weapon, try slashing your wrist with it. Have a phone with 911 on a one-touch button handy.

Plastic bottles would seem to be the way to go.

[leadpenny]

IMO torn soda cans would be as effective at slitting throats as the average box cutter.

My personal driving v. flying distance meter just went up another 100 miles. Unless I absolutely have to get there immediately, I'll drive 7-800 miles v. fly at this point.

[TFMcGuire]

Bizarre behavior on an airliner in 2003 america.

Looks like it might be a veiled threat to the other passengers.

perhaps, instead, just pushing to see if someone would say something.

Possibly just stupid behavior--normal for a teen, not an adult in the business or educational world.

[Lazamataz]

"He started tearing [the coke can] and it became kind of jagged," said AirTran spokesman Tad Hucheson.

America will fall in the next 20 years.

That is because we have become a nation of simpering p**sys.

[HennepinPrisoner]

perhaps, instead, just pushing to see if someone would say something.

You mean hoping to cash in on a discrimination lawsuit.

[Lazamataz]

IMO torn soda cans would be as effective at slitting throats as the average box cutter.

I love ya, leadpenny, but you're part of this simpering p**** problem.

I would give you an empty coke can and let you work it for a while. Then put it to my throat. At that point, threaten me with it.

Watch as I drop ya.

A Coke can is NOT a weapon, unless you keep it filled and put it in a sock.