Alaska Airline flight cockpit lockdown

MikeD

MikeD

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LOS ANGELES – Pilots on an Alaska Airlines flight locked down the cockpit and alerted authorities after three passengers conducted an elaborate orthodox Jewish prayer ritual during their Los Angeles-bound flight.

Airline spokeswoman Bobbie Egan says the crew of Flight 241 from Mexico City became alarmed Sunday after the men began the ritual, which involves tying leather straps and small wooden boxes to the body.

FBI and customs agents, along with police and fire crews, met the plane at the gate at Los Angeles International Airport.

Airport police say two or three men were escorted off the plane, questioned by the FBI, and released. No arrests were made.
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Didn't something similar happen to an Airways express flight not too long ago? Which brings the question, do people really have to go off on prayers like this in a public airplane? Seems like something that could wait....
 
fholbert said:
Yes. Where do they find these people? Are they really so stupid to think this won't set off alarms?
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That. Save it for your own private setting or buy into a fractional. No need to be chanting and praying with a piece of wood on a public airliner.
 
A150K said:
That. Save it for your own private setting or buy into a fractional. No need to be chanting and praying with a piece of wood on a public airliner.
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Playing devils advocate here; where does it say what type of prayer is acceptable on an airline flight? Welcome to America...home of freedom...

I'm alarmed by the number of dumb asses that get up to pee when the seatbelt sign is on. They're breaking the law more than these Jewish folks by not complying with crew member instructions. Where are the authorities when they do that?
 
TFaudree_ERAU said:
Playing devils advocate here; where does it say what type of prayer is acceptable on an airline flight? Welcome to America...home of freedom...

I'm alarmed by the number of dumb asses that get up to pee when the seatbelt sign is on. They're breaking the law more than these Jewish folks by not complying with crew member instructions. Where are the authorities when they do that?
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Very valid point. But with free dumb comes even greater responsibility to "respect thy neighbor." If this guy had done this on a flight I was on, I don't know if I'd immediatly get up and punch his lights out, but it sure would give me a hair trigger.
 
BeRich said:
This is a serious question by the way....I realize it sounds sarcastic.
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The flight deck door could be opened during flight for the pilot's to use the restroom or grab some drinks from the FA but during "lockdown" no matter what's going on in the back, the pilot's aren't worrying about it, just getting the plane on the ground.
 
TFaudree_ERAU said:
Playing devils advocate here; where does it say what type of prayer is acceptable on an airline flight? Welcome to America...home of freedom...

I'm alarmed by the number of dumb asses that get up to pee when the seatbelt sign is on. They're breaking the law more than these Jewish folks by not complying with crew member instructions. Where are the authorities when they do that?
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You've got a point, but you also can't yell fire in a an auditorium. If people get concerned enough then the crew has every right to be suspicious.
 
A150K said:
You've got a point, but you also can't yell fire in a an auditorium. If people get concerned enough then the crew has every right to be suspicious.
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Wow, this one is quite interesting. I actually dont think the crew over reacted in this situation. I've gotten hyped before when they'd divert when a muslim passenger would pray in their seat or would speak arabic to other people in their party. This sounds a little more than that.

I feel they acted appropriately with their actions as nothing was charged of the praying passengers. It seemed like it wasnt like "hey were profiling them cuz we're jewish!" but more of a "hey, this isnt typical of passengers on planes."
 
A150K said:
Didn't something similar happen to an Airways express flight not too long ago? Which brings the question, do people really have to go off on prayers like this in a public airplane? Seems like something that could wait....
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It is not something that can wait.
Also look up tefillin that is what they put on.
 
A150K said:
Didn't something similar happen to an Airways express flight not too long ago? Which brings the question, do people really have to go off on prayers like this in a public airplane? Seems like something that could wait....
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Or would it be more appropriate to inform the FA and/or crew that your flight falls during a period that you will be praying, and at this time, and not to be alarmed. Being honest, up front, and open is not something terrorists do I think?
 
plane-tefillin.jpg
 
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