NY to KY Flight Diverted

Richard · 01-21-2010, 15:54

And so it goes...

Richard

Quote:

Flight Diverted, Bomb Squad Called In Because Of In-flight Prayer Ritual
AP, 21 Jan 2010

A teenage airplane passenger using a Jewish prayer object caused a misunderstanding that led the captain to divert a Kentucky-bound plane to Philadelphia and prompted a visit from a bomb squad.

A 17-year-old boy on US Airways Express Flight 3079 from New York to Louisville was using tefillin, a set of small black boxes containing biblical passages that are attached to leather straps, said Philadelphia police Lt. Frank Vanore.

When used in prayer, one box is strapped to the arm while the other box is placed on the head.

"It's something that the average person is not going to see very often, if ever," FBI spokesman J.J. Klaver said.

The teen explained the ritual after being questioned by crewmembers of the flight, which had left LaGuardia Airport around 7:30 a.m. and was operated by Chautauqua Airlines, authorities said.

Officials with the airline, however, said crewmembers "did not receive a clear response" when they talked with the teen, according to a statement issued by Republic Airways, which owns Chautauqua.

"Therefore, in the interest of everyone's safety, the crew decided to land in Philadelphia, where a more complete investigation and follow-up with authorities would be possible," the statement said.

The plane landed without incident and was met by police, bomb-sniffing dogs and officials from the FBI and Transportation Security Administration.

Authorities said the plane was searched and passengers were questioned. The teen, who is from White Plains, New York, and was traveling with his 16-year-old sister, was very cooperative, Vanore said.

"They were more alarmed than we were," Vanore said.

Klaver said the teen and his sister were never in custody, and were cleared to continue their travels.

The flight was carrying 15 passengers and three crewmembers.

http://www.usatoday.com/travel/fligh...d-flight_N.htm

Speedgod · 01-21-2010, 16:06

Well it would seem, that flying is becoming a complete nuisance. I for one, don't look forward to flying anywhere, anymore.

SG

Utah Bob · 01-21-2010, 16:25

Quote:

It's something that the average person is not going to see very often, if ever,

And it's not something a TSA worker is going to recognize, ever.

remember when they thought Joe Foss' MOH might be a weapon?

AngelsSix · 01-21-2010, 16:25

You know, I realize that there are Hasidic Jews that take the prayers and rituals very seriously. I am from White Plains myself and have seen lots of this. But the only time I have heard of it on an airplane was at sunset flying transcontinental to Israel. I think that maybe because we are unfamiliar with things, we tend to over-react these days...........

Red Flag 1 · 01-21-2010, 16:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by Utah Bob

And it's not something a TSA worker is going to recognize, ever.

remember when they thought Joe Foss' MOH might be a weapon?

Flight crews are really our last line of detection. TSA is as TSA is; I, for one, am glad to learn of alert crews asking questions and taking actions, YMMV.

Foss was the weapon!

My $.02 .

RF 1

greenberetTFS · 01-21-2010, 16:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by Red Flag 1

Flight crews are really our last line of detection. TSA is as TSA is; I, for one, am glad to learn of alert crews asking questions and taking actions, YMMV.

Foss was the weapon!

My $.02 .

RF 1

Jim,

In total agreement on both statements.......

Big Teddy

Chris Cram · 01-21-2010, 17:55

not clear... hummm

Quote:

The teen explained the ritual after being questioned by crewmembers of the flight, which had left LaGuardia Airport around 7:30 a.m. and was operated by Chautauqua Airlines, authorities said.

Officials with the airline, however, said crewmembers "did not receive a clear response" when they talked with the teen, according to a statement issued by Republic Airways, which owns Chautauqua.

I suppose if he didn't have the Prayer Book...
His explanation may have gone over like white noise...

Quote:

Morning Service
Meditation before putting on the Tephillin:
In the act of putting on the Tephillin I desire to fulfill the commandment
of my Creator who instructed us to put on the Tephillin. As it is written: And
you shall bind them for a sign upon your hand, and they shall be for frontlets
between your eyes. Within the Tephillin are inscribed four chapters of the
Torah, which proclaim the absolute unity of G-d, and remind us of the miracles
He wrought for us when He took us out of Egypt, and declare His sovereign
power over all things in heaven and on earth.

He instructed us to put the Tephillin upon the hand in remembrance of His
mighty arm, with which He delivered us from the bondage of Egypt; and
opposite the heart, as a token of you duty to devote the impulses and
emotions of our heart to His service, praised be He. We put the Tephillin on
the head, as a token of our duty to devote the mind, with all its faculties, to
His service, praised be He.

And may my observance of the commandment of the Tephillin draw unto me
sacred influences and holy thoughts, and guard me from every inclination to
sin, in deed as in thought, that I may freely serve the Lord as it is in my heart
to do. Amen.

Utah Bob · 01-21-2010, 19:02

I'd like to know what "did not receive a clear response" means.
Did he give them some shit?
It says he was very cooperative.
Did somebody on the crew think Hebrew was Arabic?

Goggles Pizano · 01-22-2010, 07:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by Utah Bob

I'd like to know what "did not receive a clear response" means.
Did he give them some shit?
It says he was very cooperative.
Did somebody on the crew think Hebrew was Arabic?

In a grammatically challenged society that allows the daily shredding of the english language by improper pronounciation, a lack of syntax, and an uncomfortable reliance upon profanity I am not surprised. As painfull as it may be try listening to a few commercials today. You will want to launch your shoe into the television.

AngelsSix · 01-22-2010, 18:55

Quote:

Originally Posted by Goggles Pizano

In a grammatically challenged society that allows the daily shredding of the english language by improper pronounciation, a lack of syntax, and an uncomfortable reliance upon profanity I am not surprised. As painfull as it may be try listening to a few commercials today. You will want to launch your shoe into the television.

Hence the reason there are no shoes allowed in my living room.....

hoepoe · 01-23-2010, 06:15

Kudo's to the crew for checking. I don't know what was or wasn't said so can't comment on the landing.

In today's atmosphere, anyone considering doing anything out of the ordinary, should reconsider.

I would say as much blame, if not more, lies with the teen for doing this than with the order to land.

H