Now my favorite: US Airways

[tunatartare]

I wonder what people would think if they ever flew El Al. My flight to Tel Aviv had a bunch of rabbis (including the one from my youth group) flying out there for a convention. In the middle of the flight, they all got up, went to the back of the plane, and started praying (we're talking at least 20 men here).

[jubilance1922]

Originally Posted by KLPDaisy

I wonder what people would think if they ever flew El Al. My flight to Tel Aviv had a bunch of rabbis (including the one from my youth group) flying out there for a convention. In the middle of the flight, they all got up, went to the back of the plane, and started praying (we're talking at least 20 men here).

No one would probably say anything because we all know that only Muslims kill other people.

[Rudey]

Originally Posted by KLPDaisy

I wonder what people would think if they ever flew El Al. My flight to Tel Aviv had a bunch of rabbis (including the one from my youth group) flying out there for a convention. In the middle of the flight, they all got up, went to the back of the plane, and started praying (we're talking at least 20 men here).

When a group of Jewish rabbis blows up a plane, then people will get concerned. When a group of Jewish rabbis blows up planes often, hijacks them, etc. then Jewish rabbis will get a reputation. And when Jewish people in general either sit idle or don't consistently denounce these individuals without offering some kind of excuses (ie they were upset at American foreign policy), then Jews in general may be considered potential terrorists. That's just the way it is. People may not like it. But that's how it is. And most people are OK with infringing on a few people's civil liberties to make sure thousands don't die. Plus El Al conducts one of the most comprehensive security checks of any airline. There are armed undercover guards throughout the planes, the planes usually leave from secure terminals, and they even ask Jewish people questions on their upbringing to make sure they are who they say they are. So I doubt many people would worry about anyone praying on El Al.

-Rudey

[ZTAngel]

Originally Posted by Rudey

When a group of Jewish rabbis blows up a plane, then people will get concerned. When a group of Jewish rabbis blows up planes often, hijacks them, etc. then Jewish rabbis will get a reputation. And when Jewish people in general either sit idle or don't consistently denounce these individuals without offering some kind of excuses (ie they were upset at American foreign policy), then Jews in general may be considered potential terrorists. That's just the way it is. People may not like it. But that's how it is. And most people are OK with infringing on a few people's civil liberties to make sure thousands don't die. Plus El Al conducts one of the most comprehensive security checks of any airline. There are armed undercover guards throughout the planes, the planes usually leave from secure terminals, and they even ask Jewish people questions on their upbringing to make sure they are who they say they are. So I doubt many people would worry about anyone praying on El Al.

-Rudey

El Al's security checks are amazing and I truly believe every airline should do it. We would never have another 9/11 again. Yes, the boarding process takes longer but it's thorough. When I flew to Jerusalem with my family, they questioned us about holidays, prayers, where we live, etc.

I'd be willing to stand in line longer and be asked a bunch of questions if it means my flight is safer.

[Tom Earp]

The problem is a knee jerk reaction isn't?

How in the hell does a lady of grey/blue hair in a wheel chair try to get on an Airline and have to take her orthopedict shoes off to be checked?l

Or say a much maturer man with shorts and polo shirt have to take his shoes off for a bomb? Be scanned with a wand to see if any bombs are found in his tennis shoes?

Oh, maybe the Old lady in the wheel chair had bomb in her wheel chair or the Mature older man had explosives in his tennies?

God, I miss the good old days, when you had your pass, got on the plane, had a drink or food (Real Food) and just get to where you were going.

[Texas Beta]

Originally Posted by Tom Earp

God, I miss the good old days, when you had your pass, got on the plane, had a drink or food (Real Food) and just get to where you were going.

Old days? How old are ya?

I wonder if Arab owned airliners beefed up security, besides companies which fly to western countries. Is there a need? Maybe theres some crazy white person out there, but I doubt it.

[RACooper]

Originally Posted by Texas Beta

I wonder if Arab owned airliners beefed up security, besides companies which fly to western countries. Is there a need? Maybe theres some crazy white person out there, but I doubt it.

The "Arab" airlines have had pretty tight security for a while - my uncle does a lot of business overseas for IBM and said he found their (specifically Emirates, Saudi Arabian Airlines) pre-flight screening security was pretty much on-par with North America, except of course during alerts and in certain locales (such as Tehran). In flight he said things were another story - often an armed guard or two sitting in the back, and a fighter escort through some airspace (Arabian pennisula and Iran).

[ASUADPi]

Security- I personally think security sucks at the airports. TSA is not consistent at every airport and it should be. It is quite sad that it is not.


My mom and I were flying home from Miami back in June. I was flying Frontier and she was flying Southwest. We were in different terminals but there at the same time. She called me to say that she was concerned about getting onto her plane. She said that while she was in line for security 3 people (2 males and a female) of Middle Eastern descent were causing a rukus. One of the men was showing security his ticket and the ticket and the ID didn't match. The other man and the female were arguing back and forth with TSA regarding it. My mom saw and heard the entire exchange. Well of course she gets concerned because someone is trying to get into the terminal with a ticket that isn't in their name (or an idea not in their name, or both). The three people are pulled from security and she doesn't think much of it, until about twenty minutes before boarding when the female and the
2nd male come running to the gate and want to make the flight to Phoenix. She was freaking out (inside) because they had caused a commotion at security and they had no luggage with them (I guess she had overheard them say they didn't check luggage). This concerned her (I think because didn't some of the hijackers not take any luggage on board?). I told her if she didn't feel safe to go over to the Southwest counter, explained what she witnessed and ask to be switched to a different flight. It was very easy, she did it and they accomodated her. I think they even said that 1) a marshall was on the plane or 2) they (the flight attendents) would "keep an eye out" for the people that my mom was concerned about), I don't quite remember.

So with my mini hijack being said, I agree that the passengers had a right to be afraid, I'm just not sure US Airways handeled the situation appropriately. But I'm sure with the media attention it created (especially since it was negative) they will probably be rethinking thier policy's. (Not that I'm sure how it could have been handeled).

As much as people don't be to be racist (and I don't think we all mean to be), unfortunately since 9-11, the American public is very weary of Muslims. And it's gonna take time. Even though it's been over five years (which in another one of my posts, is no excuse for mail still being sent to WTC ), but emotionally I think people are still trying to deal with it.

To this day I still get fearful of flying, especially when I'm taking long non stop flights (hence with lots of fuel in the plane). But as someone said earlier, when it's your time, it's your time. Plus, I'd be one of those who fought back. I'd much rather take them down then them taking down the plane and killing hundreds or thousands. Does that make sense?

Anyways, sorry this is really long.

Agree or disagree with me totally fine

[honeychile]

Playing against type is exactly what a smart terrorist would do. That's why geriatrics are inconvenienced - for everyone's safety!

I've never flown El Al, but have heard amazing things about the security of the airlines, and the airports of Israel. It seems so simple, but it really surprised me to hear that the columns inside of the airports are made of lead, so they can absorb bullets & shrapnel.

[AGDee]

A co-worker was telling me about her flights on El Al and said that they weren't even told when the plane would leave. They had to be at the airport at 7:30 am and then boarded the plane when told. While more secure, that part sounded awfully inconvenient to me.

[macallan25]

Originally Posted by Tom Earp

The problem is a knee jerk reaction isn't?

How in the hell does a lady of grey/blue hair in a wheel chair try to get on an Airline and have to take her orthopedict shoes off to be checked?l

Or say a much maturer man with shorts and polo shirt have to take his shoes off for a bomb? Be scanned with a wand to see if any bombs are found in his tennis shoes?

Oh, maybe the Old lady in the wheel chair had bomb in her wheel chair or the Mature older man had explosives in his tennies?

God, I miss the good old days, when you had your pass, got on the plane, had a drink or food (Real Food) and just get to where you were going.

Shut your mouth.

[shinerbock]

Thankfully, terrorists only fly coach. Poor bastards.

[AlexMack]

Originally Posted by Tom Earp

The problem is a knee jerk reaction isn't?

How in the hell does a lady of grey/blue hair in a wheel chair try to get on an Airline and have to take her orthopedict shoes off to be checked?l

Or say a much maturer man with shorts and polo shirt have to take his shoes off for a bomb? Be scanned with a wand to see if any bombs are found in his tennis shoes?

Oh, maybe the Old lady in the wheel chair had bomb in her wheel chair or the Mature older man had explosives in his tennies?

God, I miss the good old days, when you had your pass, got on the plane, had a drink or food (Real Food) and just get to where you were going.

Tom, a white middle aged man did have explosives in his shoes, hence the check. That just went to show that you can never be complacent when it comes to putting passengers in a hollow metal tube full of jet fuel that flies thousands of feet in the air.
I miss the old days when I never worried about getting blown up...oh wait, I have never not worried about getting blown up. But still...