Bizarre way to refer to the Almighty there at the top...
Posted on 12/20/2005 4:08:06 PM PST by truthandlife
A dispute that involved the wife of Houston's most famous pastor, Joel Osteen, and a Continental Airlines flight attendant ended up delaying a flight for hours Monday. And now, Victoria Osteen's actions on that flight are in the spotlight. Also on ABC13.com: Send us a news tip | RSS feeds | ABC13 E-lert | Info mentioned on air Statements from Lakewood and Continental Following the incident on Continental flight 1602 Monday, both Lakewood Church and Continental Airlines released these statements. The Osteens run the largest church in the nation, so passengers on a Continental flight were shocked Monday when Mrs. Osteen was removed from that flight after a disturbance.
Taking time off from the high profile hustle and bustle of running a mega-church, Lakewood Church Pastor Joel Osteen and his family boarded Continental flight 1602 Monday morning at Houston's big airport. They were bound for the slopes in Colorado.
Their trip was delayed and so was the entire flight by almost two hours. Fellow passengers blame the popular Osteens, specifically Joel's wife, Victoria.
According to passenger accounts, the Osteens were sitting in first class. Soon after the plane's door was closed, the FBI says Victoria Osteen was removed following what Continental would call only a disturbance. The Osteens' spokesman confirms it involved a flight attendant, but that's all. However, one passenger tells Eyewitness News she was alerted to the front of the plane when she heard a commotion.
"She violently ran towards the cockpit, scaring everyone around her," said passenger Knicky Van Slyke. "Everyone was terrified about what was going on. And a bunch of flight attendants ran up and had to restrain her. She was banging on the door."
"Of the cockpit?" we asked.
"Yes."
Passengers say Victoria was removed first. Joel and the children followed. Meantime, everyone waited.
"They unloaded all the luggage to get their luggage and deplaned her, Joel, and the kids," said passenger Dawn Dixon.
Passenger Chad Clay said, "They kept telling us they were waiting on some passengers to find their luggage underneath in the plane, and it was going to be delayed for looking for that luggage."
According to the Transportation Security Administration, federal air marshals were never involved. Local authorities also know nothing of this event. Continental would not discuss details.
The Osteens' spokesman denies a physical altercation, denies Victoria ever banged on the cockpit door, and says she left on her own.
"The account of the event which has come to our attention is inaccurate and overblown. The misunderstanding was minor and was resolved when Victoria voluntarily removed herself from the situation," read the statement.
The FBI says it was not voluntary. Though agents are not investigating, they will review the incident as the Osteens enjoy their Colorado vacation.
The Osteens' spokesman says they took another flight to Colorado Monday.
Nobody has been charged. As for the FBI's involvement, we're told it's standard procedure for them to review all passenger removal incidents. According to Continental, this one is a closed case.
Pastor Joel Osteen preaches to an average of 40,000 people a week at Lakewood Church services. Lakewood opened in the former home of the Rockets, Compaq Center, back in July. It took $90 million and a year and a half of renovations. Osteen's ministry is taped and aired around the world.
Their website shows they have services planned for Sunday. http://www.lakewood.cc/site/PageServer
Always Right:
How on earth does one fit 60,000 people into a basketball arena built for 16,000?
"Well, I thought her problem might have been "big hair"; that it would not fit under the overhead storage bin. After seeing the pix you provided, I guess not."
Plebian Stewardess + Spilled Drink + $10,000 New Armani Outfit = big time wigout.
I suppose she charged the cockpit to talk to the stewardess' "superiors".
Bizarre way to refer to the Almighty there at the top...
Renovated Coliseum for 90 million dollars yet family flies commercial.
Most big money preachers have Lears and G-5s and to me are bit untrustworthy.
This guy is huge... and rich!.....I'm gonna wait this one out.
I think the people who are putting the Olsten's down need to re-examine thier own lives. I am willing to bet that at some point in your perfect glass house that you over-reacted to some one else.
I tend to agree with you. I'm not a religious person, but I still enjoy watching portions of Joel Osteen's sermons televised each Sunday morning in Houston. I watch because Osteen's message is always positive and uplifting.
I have no idea about their personal lives or the finances of the Lakewood Church, but it appears that Victoria has some anger management issues.
I see they were in First Class. Followers of Jesus living like royalty? - it's sad. Our Savior was a minister to the poor.
May I assume you are a big fan of the big man?
Yes they do.
While flipping through the channels on the weekend I have come across one of his services.
Every seat in the building is filled.
20,000 maybe. 40 I doubt.
Shame on all of you.
I know the Osteens and they are fine people. I knew Joel's father. The fact that they have become mega-successful should have nothing to do with anything.
Or are they not allowed vacations?
When did class-envy invade this place? I have no idea what happened here, but NONE of you have the right to judge these people.
"[Madame Osteen] violently ran towards the cockpit, scaring everyone around her," said passenger Knicky Van Slyke. "Everyone was terrified about what was going on. And a bunch of flight attendants ran up and had to restrain her. She was banging on the door."
Take out all of the concession stands?
What does being Catholic have to do with any of this discussion?
Being kicked off a plane?
No, they are not allowed to get into that situation.
Charles Stanley is just plain wonderful. He's very humble and preaches the TRUTH.
A Great Big God .... maybe just my issue but I believe it to be with THE Great Big God.
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