Pilot in Hot Water for Allegedly Using Plane as Flying Pulpit

Talon News / GOP USA ^ | Feb. 10, 2004 | Jeremy Reynalds

[whattajoke]

To your ill-placed, "Amen," does it not interest you that not one single person raised their hand on the flight? While it was a flight b/w Californicatia and Gotham, 2 areas not known for their conservative christian constituency, I think we can agree there were at least some christians on board.

So why didn't anyone raise their hands? Perhaps b/c it was ridiculously out of place, scary, goofy, insulting, personal, and possibly dangerous?

[jim35]

"...If he'd asked all the Mormons to raise their hands,..."

Yep, I'd be ok with that. I wouldn't have raised my hand, but I wouldn't have run crying to the boss either. What a bunch of wussies. Can't take a little religious talk? Waaaahhh! He said Christian! I'm so sad that he offended me!

[EggsAckley]

If *I* had been on that flight and he asked Christians to hold up their hands, *I* WOULDN'T HAVE, despite the fact that I consider myself a Christian. It's none of his da^ned business! He's a pilot! He's there to fly the plane, not jaw with the passengers about religion.

[Modernman]

AMEN! What is the problem here?

Would you be all right with this if he was a Muslim pilot? Or a socialist asking everyone to talk about the joys of John Kerry?

Some things are innapropriate in certain circumstances. Using your power as the pilot of an airplane to advance your religious beliefs on a captive audience is, in my view, rude.

[Born Conservative]

There's an appropriate time and place for "religious talk". This flight wasn't it.

[jim35]

"...in a flying bomb who are currently sensitive to religious differences and issues,..."

It's not religious differences, it's muslims, specifically. Get it right, at least here on FR.

"...Preferably to some place where I can buy what ever it is you sell without a bible lesson..."

So, do you have that list of approved topics yet? You act as if this pilot held a revival during the flight, instead of asking one question and making one Christian comment. So, make that list, submit it to all companies which have employees who appear before the public, and for heaven's sake, let's stifle that speech!

[Indie]

The first thing that would have gone through my mind if he had said this while I was aboard was that I was about to die.

[proud American in Canada]

"Just given the history of what's happened on planes in this country, anything can happen at this point. So we weren't sure if something was going to happen at takeoff, if he was going to wait until JFK to do something... But there was definitely [an] implication there that we felt that something was going to happen."

This is why what the pilot did was wrong. He frightened the passengers--because of the context of when he said this, not the content.

The passengers' had to wonder why the man who would say something like this, and in the context of the reality that he held their lives in his hands because he's at the controls of an aircraft, I'm sure the experience was really frightening.

If he said it once the plane had landed and everyone was casually walking to get their luggage, or in the coffee shop before they boarded, it would be completely different.

[blau993]

well, at least the pilot is sober.....

I don't know that I would jump to that conclusion, considering the bizarre nature of what he has just done.

[California74]

I agree with you, Jim.

And there are apparently several versions of the story going around because I didn't hear that he had called non christians "crazy" in the other stories I've read or heard on the radio.
In any event, I would have been comforted on that flight, knowing the pilot was christian.

[jim35]

"...So why didn't anyone raise their hands? Perhaps b/c it was ridiculously out of place, scary, goofy, insulting, personal, and possibly dangerous?..."

Maybe they didn't want to be ridiculed in public by the rest of the passengers, who they probably figured were atheists. Or maybe, like some here, they find religious expression in public to be "scary" (although in a different context). And who could blame them, in today's intolerent atmosphere? Look what's happening to this pilot, for one remark, and one question on a religious subject?

[expatguy]

Is it because it was an airplane or because he mentioned that oh so extreemly taboo subject "religion".

If it was a cab driver would the reaction be the same?

I wonder how many of the passengers contacted lawyers.

[proud American in Canada]

"So, do you have that list of approved topics yet?"

For airline pilots speaking to passengers during flight? Yes, I have a list of approved topics:

the weather
the scenery
points of historical/scenic interest along the way
E.T.A.
explanations for delays

and that's pretty much it.

[OldFriend]

Not only do we have to worry about fanatical passengers with ill intentions, now we have to fear the crew as well?

This ought to have been handled immediately and without weasel words.

UNACCEPTABLE comes to mind!

[jim35]

"...despite the fact that I consider myself a Christian..."

You're not one of those Christians who's always scaring people away from religion by admitting belief in Jesus Christ and God, are you? Certainly not in public, I hope. That would be scary.

[EggsAckley]

If he said it once the plane had landed and everyone was casually walking to get their luggage, or in the coffee shop before they boarded, it would be completely different.

ABSOLUTELY. Thank you!

[OldFriend]

I'm with you on this....sober was not the first thought that came to mind.

[EggsAckley]

I don't NEED to constantly shove religion down peoples' throats. That, to me, is a sign of insecurity. I believe what I believe, what they believe is up to them.


Sorry, I'd love to continue this nonsense, but I have a dentist's appointment. Babble on.

[proud American in Canada]

Thanks, EA! :)

Please see my #53.... I believe I have come up with an approved list of acceptable topics for airline pilots during flight. ;)

[OldFriend]

A passenger on the flight was on one of the morning shows and said that the pilot did indeed tell the passengers that those who were not Christian were crazy. Further, when the passengers began asking the flight attendants what was going on, they evidently told the captain that the passengers were frightened........the pilot then got on the speaker and apologyzed to the flight attendants for not giving them a heads-up!

Sorry, the pilot was WAY out of line......

Some of the passengers tried to call 911 from the plane.