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.
Yeah, I'd like to hear the version of a guy who was going spastic, about to have a nervous breakdown, and balling his head off. We can then conduct some interviews at the local mental hospital to find out their opinion as well.
Ah, but the original National.... Now there was an airline.
"Fly National, our pilots are irrational"?
The usual suspects onyx.
this has already occurred on more than one US flight-cannot remember specifics
I should have been more specific, i.e., When's the last time you've heard of a prominent Arab denied boarding? Hussein Ibish, who frequently appears on TV to oppose Pinkus, comes to mind. (And it would be difficult not to notice him. The other denials, for the most part, were in close proximity to 9/11, and many involved individuals who exhibited agressive or bizarre behavior or dress, or were traveling in small groups, as the hijackers did.
when and if times get tougher, per the media, etc.-i think we're at that point since 9/11-profiling incorporating physical characteristics, along w/others will be needed/used.
Are you saying that those "physical characteristics" will include potential terrorist targets, as well as perpetrators? I would hope not.
I can just imagine if this pilot was armed. We need to really take a hard look at what pilots will be armed.
There's the clear up of the gender.
1. The Jewish community here in America, and the government of Israel are ticked at him for what they view as anti-semetic behaviour blah blah blah ...
2. The Arab/Muslim groups in America will come out and be ticked at the pilot for perpetuating 'stereotypes' about the terrorist/muslim connection blah blah blah...
3. The U.S. Government will begin a civil rights investigation, and the FAA will look at it - all of them ticked at the pilot for not having blind faith in the security operations of the airport blah blah blah...
4. The airline is ticked at him for reasons #1-3...
5. The Pilot's union will go through the motions of defending him, while being ticked at him for #1-4...
He's screwed...
Good point. Imagine the slippery-slope of this mentality. Ex.: European pilots denying U.S. citizens flights because the Jihadists have made declared open season on U.S. targets, civilian or otherwise.
Still, there was the American pilot (United Airlines? in Colorado?) who sometime after September 11th, mustered the passengers as a Militia and directed them to act in the event of an emergency (I don't have the FR links available on that, right now). The story ran; and as far as I know, this principle of defense is accepted by most passengers --- if the bad guys want war, they're going to get it.
Myself, if I ever get my hands on an airline hijacker who refuses to submit to the captain's authority, I am going to ask the captain his or her wishes and affect them immediately; summarily if need be.
If aboard an aircraft, a pilot comes to me and says, "See that guy in 15D? And in 24B? Arrest them." That is what I am going to do. When we're back on the ground, and off the plane, that is when I'll ask, "Why?"
I don't care if the guy in 24B is Al Gore.
Yes. Nothing wrong with pilot's discretion, but this whole thing seems odd - usually, this kind of thing has to do with the pilot suspecting that the passenger may be up to no good.
That does not hold true in this case. Moreover, Pinkas is a well-known figure - I'd bet that the pilot knows exactly who he is. I further suspect that the pilot has some pretty strong views when it comes to the ME.
It will be very interesting to see who steps forward to speak for him.
Obviously this guy should not be flying anyone anywhere. I wouldn't want someone that fragile at the wheel of a taxi, much less an airplane.
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