Posted on 07/14/2002 6:46:48 AM PDT by Israel Insider
Israel's consul general in New York, Alon Pinkas, was denied a seat on a National Airlines flight from San Francisco when the plane's pilot screamed at security personnel, "I don't care what you do, he will not get onto my plane." The pilot said that Pinkas's presence would endanger all the other passengers on the flight.
The incident occurred Thursday night, Yediot Aharonot reported, shortly after Pinkas had completed public relations work in San Francisco. He was due to return to New York on the National Airlines flight. Upon his arrival at the airport, security officials informed the pilot that the Israeli consul would be getting on board the flight, and the pilot responded that he would not fly the plane if there was an Israeli diplomat aboard.
According to media reports, the pilot nearly had a temper tantrum in the airport terminal as he argued with police officers who demanded that he let Pinkas board the plane. The manager of National Airlines' San Francisco office threatened the pilot that if the press reported on the incident, the pilot would lose his job.
The pilot apparently broke down in tears, and was said to be close to a nervous breakdown. Pinkas saw what was happening, and asked to be booked on a different flight. In the end, he returned to New York on Continental Airlines.
"It appears to be the case of one stupid guy and not a systemic problem," Pinkas said.
San Francisco Police registered an official complaint against the pilot, and the United States State Department is investigating the incident. Sources at Israel's Foreign Ministry said that they would file a complaint with National Airlines, asking that the pilot be disciplined.
There were hundreds if not thousands in the days after 9/11. So many that the media gave up covering them so I dont know if the pilots quit denying flights to arab males or if its just no longer news. Recall the arab Secret Service agent from President Bush's security detail that was denied boarding around Thanksgiving last year.
Me too. I would especially love to hear his story about the tears and the near nervous breakdown. Was flying with out alcohol too much for him?
No male jet captain would break down in tears. Maybe thats something you would do but these flyers are supposed to be a special breed. What if something goes wrong on the flight? Are tears supposed to help him then or does calm, resolved action bring about the best chance of survival.
That's a common fallacy that both Marxists and Islamofascists have learned to use to their advantage, as did Hitler before them. Why? Because they can make up an extreme lie, knowing that the media, a big believer in this "middle ground" truth idea, and others will split the difference and end up believing something that is far from the truth. This view of the truth also makes the assumption that there are no wrong parties or that all are equally evasive. It follows the PC belief that the only sin is to judge people, a postmodernism that destroys the concepts of truth or good and evil as being independent facts.
But in many cases, there is a clear cut liar and truth-teller. Splitting the difference merely rewards the liar and encourages him to expand his lie so that observers move closer to his original position.
Considering the speed and consistency with which any of these "denials" -- or any other form of perceived "discrimination" against Muslims -- have been brought to the public's attention by groups such as CAIR and AMC, I seriously doubt that we would not hear of each and every incident of this nature.
No kidding!
Something is very wrong with this report.
So many objects (not to mention human body parts) can be used as weapons! Thus, perfect security cannot exist no matter how much time is spent searching passengers before boarding. The only truly effective "security system" is the one used by the heroic passengers on the flight which crashed in Pennsylvania. Because of their brave example, no aircraft hijacking has occurred anywhere in the world since September 11.
A reasonable reaction based on accurate facts. Problem is the facts looks suspicious.
First the source, not domestic. In fact no domestic report so far.
Second almost all the senarios presented were bizarre....inplied pilot rejects passanger on religious grounds, pilot argues with police, pilot cries, pilot near mental breakdown after discussion w/ police, etc.
Are you sure this article wasn't lifted from DEBKA.
The way I read it, the New York Post independently confirmed with the airline that the Israeli press report on this is basically true. I doubt that the American press repprts to follow will mention the pilot crying, because it just isn't our style to get into that so much.
This article is sloppy hit piece.
Why is that? The article's author's are probably sympathetic to Israel -- they work for the Post, not the Times. So what? The Post story did not say that they tried to get in touch with the pilot, but I'd wager that they did try. They'll probably print the pilot's side eventually, when the pilot talks to the press.
Perhaps this pilot needs to reflect on those heroes -- you are correct, there is no magic cure for terrorism, but determination, common sense and bravery can go a long way as a deterrent. Cowardice only encourages terrorism.
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