Jury awards airline passenger $400,000

A federal jury has ordered American Airlines to pay $400,000 to a computer consultant who was pulled from a flight at Logan International Airport because of security concerns, then denied reboarding even after he had been cleared by State Police. "I felt like I was being treated like a terrorist and there was no way I could prove I didn't do anything or say anything at all," said John Cerqueira , 39, who grew up in Fall River and now lives in Miami. "I'm grateful to the jury for sending the message to American Airlines that just the use of the word security isn't an excuse for unlawful behavior."

>What were the serious security concerns of American Airlines after the police completely cleared him?<
I have to trust that there was some reason authorities had.

The "authorities"--the State Police--determined that this guy was not in any way a security concern. And American Airlines itself says it still didn't let him on the plane not because of any security concerns, but because he would make the other passengers "uncomfortable." Bringing up the flying Imams is a non-sequitor. This guy didn't do anything that made him suspicious, he just "looked" suspicious, apparently by having been born in Portugal and happening to be seated next to two other people who were born in Israel. If you want to ally yourself with the Democrats who opposed the Civil Rights Act of 1964--guys like Al Gore Sr. and Robert Byrd--go right ahead. No wonder you're so sensitive about being considered racist.

>The "authorities"--the State Police--determined that this guy was not in any way a security concern.<

I repeat: What happened to the right to refuse service?

>Bringing up the flying Imams is a non-sequitor.<

No, comparing this to a racial case is non-sequitor.

>If you want to ally yourself with the Democrats who opposed the Civil Rights Act of 1964--guys like Al Gore Sr. and Robert Byrd--go right ahead. No wonder you're so sensitive about being considered racist.<

And you want to look at everything in terms of how the white guys are racist who get away with everything. I think there's a job for you at Michael Nifong's office (or possibly Duke University)....

Liberals ignore this everytime I bring it up. It is ignored because it is potentially the most explosive issue in America today. Can you imagine someone saying "I absolutely demand equal treatment under the law and I am willing to die for it in a rather public way?"

All the slaveholders are now dead. It is not possible to sue them.

But all those who are presently discriminating against white males are alive and can be sued. That includes the ACLU and the NAACP. It also includes every liberal lawmaker or corporation who has supported racial preferences in any manner.

This is very explosive in more than one way. I predict it will one day become very very ugly.

LOL. OK, the Captain screwed up. Show me anywhere in the article where it says the guy was remotely considered a threat except for the fact that the AIRLINE assigned him a seat next to 2 suspicious looking guys who happened to be Israeli.

I couldn't care less about what some laimstream media article says. You should know how ineffective reporters are, especially when it comes to aircraft incidents and accidents. The Captain was perfectly within his right to remove this or any other passenger if he thought they were in any way a threat to the aircraft or the other passengers. If he thought this guy was a threat, and he obviously did because, as Captain, he ordered this passenger to be removed from the aircraft. The Captain made no mistake and he should be applauded for his keen awareness of who is on board the aircraft. It's all part of having 4 stripes on your sleeve. So what if this guy gets detained while the authorities figure out whether or not he is a real threat. I would much prefer that airlines err on the side of safety as opposed to being politically correct and allowing a terrorist on board because they are worried about being accused of profiling or being slapped with some ridiculous jury award for acting in the best interests of all souls aboard. This is clearly a case of a runaway jury. Read Part 135 of the Federal Aviation Regulations. I will bet hard cash this will be tossed out on appeal.

I have 4 stripes on my sleeve and I can assure you that if the Captain exercises his authority (which I don't dispute) he damn sure better be right (and in this case I do believe he screwed the pooch). I doubt seriously if the company will even censure the Captain in any way since that would constitute a breech of the Captain's authority but the company is still liable before a judge and jury. Like I said in an earlier post the award will likely get reduced on appeal. Whatever award the guy finally gets the company will have still been found liable for injuries.

Finally, I still don't understand how you or anyone else reading this article can suggest this guy was any kind of threat to anyone because he happened to accidentally be sitting next to 2 guys who were likewise innocent but just happened to look suspicious. As for the presses ability to muck up the report, the statement that the police interviewed the guy for 2 hours and released him seems like a pretty factual statement to me. Kinda hard to misstate that since it was brought up in the trial. Anyway, if you care to respond again I'll let you have the last word.

Finally, I still don't understand how you or anyone else reading this article can suggest this guy was any kind of threat to anyone because he happened to accidentally be sitting next to 2 guys who were likewise innocent but just happened to look suspicious.

I don't have 4 stripes, but I have been a commercial/instrument rated pilot for 30+ years and I have flown commercial airlines extensively, both domestic and international, including into various destinations in the Middle East and Eastern Africa. I have about 7 million miles or so commercial. So, it suffices to say that I've been around the block a few times and not always to nice places. I have seen how El Al handles their security first hand, by profiling. I have seen how airlines handle security in Eastern Africa, specifically Kenya, Egypt and Tanzania, by profiling. I have also seen how the Brits handled airline security during the years when the IRA was blowing things up regularly, by profiling. It used to be common to see British Army tanks on the side of the runways at Heathrow back in the day, as well as heavily armed troops in the terminal building. I have absolutely no problem with profiling nor do I have a problem with a Captain removing suspicious people from the aircraft if he deems it necessary and I have a hard time understanding how anyone could object. Likewise, I have no problem with flight crews being armed. In fact, I would prefer it.

If it were redheaded white boys, of which I am one, blowing up airplanes and flying them into buildings, I would have no problem with the security officials scrutinizing me more closely if it meant a higher level of safety and security on board the aircraft. In fact, I would expect it. During the fist Gulf War I was routinely scrutinized by security because I would regularly travel with electronic test gear in my checked baggage. This test gear was almost always seen as suspicious by security and I would wind up having to open everything up, turn it on, etc. It was just part of the deal.

Since the only folks blowing up airplanes and flying them into buildings up until now have been of Middle Eastern decent, I have no problem with them removing someone from a flight if they appear to be of Middle Eastern decent and are causing a problem for the flight crew. If they sit in similar patterns to what the 9/11 hijackers used, boot 'em. A problem for the flight crew might something as simple as a male of Middle Eastern decent loudly stating "Allah Akbar" or praying loudly in the cabin. I think we should take no chances. These folks have proven who they are and what they are capable of. The die has been cast and it isn't my problem if it upsets Middle Easterners.

The aircraft are owned by the airlines. If their flight crews don't feel comfortable with you being on their aircraft it is their prerogative to remove you if they see fit. You have no right to fly with them whatsoever, nor do you have any right to any compensation beyond the price of your ticket if you are removed. The FAR's support this and the airlines should hold their ground and support this crew and their decision. If Middle Easterners, Israeli or otherwise, don't like that, stop your brethren from blowing up airplanes, or enjoy the walk.....

Cerqueira, who was born in Portugal and is a US citizen. Guess you missed that part. Last time I checked we're not at war with the Catholics of Portugal.

No, I didn't miss that part. That part just doesn't matter. Timothy McVey and Eric Rudolph were also US Citizens. The US wasn't at war with itself at the time, either. Guess you missed that part. I guess you also missed the part about how closely I was scrutinized every time I brought my spectrum analyzer and RF monitoring equipment along for the ride during our last war in '91. I've been strip searched, had all my stuff rifled through numerous times, before it was in vogue. If they or anyone else, American, Portuguese or whatever were acting suspiciously on an aircraft I would have no problem having them removed. You seem to be missing the point that I am on your side. I want you guys to have the last say and I don't want your spot judgment questioned and misrepresented by an ambulance chasing attorney to a group of twelve know-nothings who could ultimately end your career. If it ruffles some feathers, so be it. This jury award sets a very dangerous precedent for you.

The bottom line is we are at war whether we like it or not. These folks who seek to kill us all, including you, are fanatics and airliners have been used as weapons of mass destruction to the tune of over 3000 innocents dead. Since 9/11 there have been numerous incidences of what are thought to be repeat attempts at another 9/11. Personally, I think this is yet another glaring example of how we are not taking security seriously. That this case ever made it to trial is evidence of that. Were I in your shoes, four stripes and all, with the lax security I see on our southern border and lax security at airports in general, plus the attitude of the airlines not supporting you guy's decisions to remove passengers, I would have a keen eye on anyone and everyone who boarded my aircraft. This sort of nonsense only emboldens those who wish us harm. Color me suspicious, but then again, these days the vast majority of the flights I take I am pilot in command. I can assure you I will not be hijacked, but under these conditions, you might.

Fly safe, my FRiend.....and keep a eye on the cattle.

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