Flight to BWI diverted due to passenger's 'suspicious behavior'

Baltimore Sun ^ | 9-10-11 | Jessica Anderson

[icwhatudo]

A Southwest flight carrying 115 passengers from Albuquerque, New Mexico, to BWI Airport was diverted to Nashville International Airport due to a passenger's "suspicious behavior," an airline spokesman said.

[Revolting cat!]

More here!

[Paleo Conservative]

My congressman's flight from DFW to DCA was canceled due to a couple of suspicious looking men wearing athletic clothing.

Farenthold witness to security scare on board D.C.-bound flight

By Rick Spruill

Thursday, September 8, 2011

CORPUS CHRISTI — U.S. Rep. Blake Farenthold on Wednesday witnessed the effects of a perceived security threat while on board a commercial airliner.

The first-term congressman and his wife were taken off a Washington, D.C.-bound American Airlines plane at the Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport after officials escorted two men off the plane and required all other passengers to undergo additional security screening.

Farenthold, a member of the House Committee on Homeland Security, said the men's dress and demeanor raised other passenger's suspicions, including his own.

"They both looked in their mid-20s and both were dressed inappropriately for their build," he said. "They were wearing ill-fitting athletic gear but were in no physical shape to be wearing it. It looked like I would look if I were in that sort of clothing."

He said they also were carrying something like a small, portable electronic device.

A flight attendant noticed the men and called security. They arrived about 10 minutes later and escorted the men off the plane, Farenthold said.

Authorities interviewed the two passengers and released them without charges, a spokesman for the Transportation Security Administration said.

TSA workers escorted Farenthold and his wife off the plane after verifying his identity as a congressman.

"Even though I don't consider myself a high value target, they apparently do," he quipped.

He said it was a lesson in the importance of passenger awareness, a tenet regularly espoused by Homeland Security officials.

"Human interaction does work," he said. "I once got an on airplane without talking to a human being other than to say 'Thank you.' That's a problem. Our agents need to be engaged with people — you can learn a lot just from one sentence, even if it is just asking someone where they are headed."

Tim Smith, a spokesman for American Airlines, said all 140 passengers were put on later flights to Washington.

[PieterCasparzen]

Nice to know that they did not arrest the Congressman for being racist. I don’t know if people are allowed to express concern over others who are wearing a mooselimb outfit.

[ArchAngel1983]

" "They both looked in their mid-20s and both were dressed inappropriately for their build," he said."

Great story. I especially appreciate the detailed description of the suspects. It must describe, oh I don't know, a couple of dozen. . . million people. Please keep reporting and we'll keep being informed. lol

[ProtectOurFreedom]

Mr. Spruill, what makes you think “”Even though I don’t consider myself a high value target, they apparently do” was a quip? Given the size of Congressional egos, he might have been speaking honestly.

[combat_boots]

Be on the lookout for this man: Jude Kenan Mohammed. FBI Releases Photo of American-Born Muslim Wanted for 911 Jihad Threat

[ladyjane]

Half the people in Walmart wear ill-fitting clothing and they’re in no physical shape to be wearing it.

[rbmillerjr]

They were probably just Europeans, gettin ready for the speedo scare game at the beach.

[takenoprisoner]

If the atheletic suits don’t fit, you must acquit.

[Revolting cat!]

Tomorrow's headlines today:

Suspects Suspected of Suspicious Behaviour!

[Vigilanteman]

They probably just didn't want to offend these people by disclosing their identity:

[Paleo Conservative]

Here’s a link to a video from the local NBC affiliate.

http://www.kristv.com/news/rep-farenthold-s-flight-to-d-c-canceled-after-security-scare/#!prettyPhoto[gallery]/1/

[ArchAngel1983]

OMG, that looks like Little House on the Prairie, only in black and white!

[takenoprisoner]

I was glad to hear the congressman say those body scanners were a waste of money. Does anyone think he grasps the need to profile, yet?

[WePledge]

There seems to be two different incidents getting crossed up here.

[Jane Long]

There seems to be two different incidents getting crossed up here.

No kidding...the post started out on Southwest, then it suddenly jumped to American.

At least the congressman was escorted off to safety, right? Everyone else...wait here.

[AZLiberty]

How about if we just keep an eye on anyone with first name, middle name, or last name of Mohammed?

And of course we’ll always keep an eye out for Mullah Omar.

[Tolerance Sucks Rocks]

Did the suspicious behavior include cries of Allaaaaaaaaahu akbar?

(The article did not elaborate on the behavior.)

Maryland "Freak State" PING!

[Sundog]

Last time this happened we sent a Pakistani military delegation packing because an airline pilot didn’t want to fly them to see the admirals waiting for them in Tampa. Small wonder they went shopping to the chi-coms right after.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/08/31/AR2010083105735.html