[Badeye]

‘Shakarabhai Patel, 64, who was traveling with Chhaganbhai Patel had already made it through security and onto the flight, which was bound for New York and then to India. Officials did not immediately indicate the relationship between the two men.’

Unusual surnames not withstanding, huh?

(eyes rolling)

[Moose4]

Patel isn’t that unusual these days. In fact, thousands of hotels in the United States are owned by various branches of the Patel family. It’s apparently a fairly common Indian family name.

}:-)4

[CT-Freeper]

Unusual surnames not withstanding, huh?

I don't know...if these two people were named John Smith and Joe Smith, would you automatically assume they were related? It's about the same equivalent here, really.

[VeritatisSplendor]

Patel is like Smith.

Mrs VS

[Non-Sequitur]

Unusual surnames not withstanding, huh?

Patel is the second most common surname in India. It'd be like having two men named Smith on the plane and assuming they were related.

[Patas]

Patel is actually a perfect cover name. It’s like if your a Yankee's fan and want to go undercover, you wear a Red Sox’s Jersey. I highly doubt the next terrorist will be using an Islamic name.

Tin Foil, unsophisticated way of penetrating security

Razor Blades in a remote control car. I remember reading a story in Aviation Today about R/C toys

Tuesday, October 2, 2007
TSA Eyes Remote Control Toys http://www.aviationtoday.com/categories/commercial/16203.html