Nine Muslims kicked off AirTran flight
posted at 2:00 pm on January 2, 2009 by Ed Morrissey
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AirTran may face a lawsuit after denying nine Muslims the chance to fly after an overhead remark from one forced the pilot to delay the flight and rescreen the passengers. The airline apparently refused to rebook the passengers even after being cleared by the FBI, at least according to one of the nine:
Nine Muslim passengers were kicked off a flight from Washington, D.C., to Florida after other passengers reported hearing a suspicious remark about airplane security.
AirTran Airways spokesman Tad Hutcheson called the incident on the New Year’s Day flight from Reagan National Airport to Orlando, Fla., a misunderstanding, but defended the company’s response. He said the airline followed federal rules and did nothing wrong.
One of the Muslim passengers, Kashif Irfan, told The Washington Post the confusion began when his brother was talking about the safest place to sit on an airplane.
“My brother and his wife were discussing some aspect of airport security,” Irfan said. “The only thing my brother said was, ‘Wow, the jets are right next to my window.”‘
Irfan told the newspaper he thought he and the others were profiled because of their appearance. The men had beards and the women wore headscarves, traditional Muslim attire.
AirTran said that one of the nine made an “inappropriate comment,” which led to the rescreening. At least in the AP report, their version of the remark has not been revealed. The family’s version appears so innocuous that it seems unlikely that it alone would have caused a delay and rescreening. “Discussing some aspects of airport security” sounds like much more was said than just the proximity of jets to a window.
The family eventually made it to their religious retreat in Florida on US Airways after getting a full refund from AirTran, but that won’t stop the lawsuit. We can expect CAIR to land on this incident with a full complement of attorneys, just as they did here in Minneapolis in more egregious circumstances. The tipster in this case better get an attorney as well, as CAIR will assuredly target whoever reported the remarks just as they did with the Flying Imams.
Update: Corrected AirTran name in the headline.
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Well I think we’re just at different points in a spectrum. I think it should be farther than you, but not to an extreme. But yeah, I think at this point just kind of agree to disagree :P
apollyonbob on January 2, 2009 at 3:26 PM
Really? I haven’t heard about that one. Do you have a link where I can read up on it?
factoid on January 2, 2009 at 3:26 PM
Heard of Google?
upinak on January 2, 2009 at 3:27 PM
Robert Spencer at Jihad Watch has this to say about the incident:
(The reference is to Ibrahim Hooper of CAIR).
INC on January 2, 2009 at 3:27 PM
Yeah, I was pretty sure you had just made that one up, but I thought it was worth a try.
factoid on January 2, 2009 at 3:29 PM
Scenario:
Joe Smith, Kevin Johnson, and Sue Jackson look like average Americans and want to get on a plane but they are terrorists in disguise with fake names.
How are we to distinguish them from everyone else? Check everyone and their baggage. Also educate the employees on what to look for and listen.
The airline and FBI did a good job.
shick on January 2, 2009 at 3:30 PM
Could this have been some kind of set up designed to deliberately get these people put off the flight? I wouldn’t put it past some of the more militant Muslim groups to stage just such a thing. It sounds contrived to me.
jeanie on January 2, 2009 at 3:32 PM
Umm lol, whatever dud (yeah dud) because you usually make up crap and I have called you out on it.
Thanks for playing though!
upinak on January 2, 2009 at 3:32 PM
If Islam wanted to spread fear, then it has succeded in doing so.
It’s your religion. If you don’t like the way you’re treated then do something about it.
Kini on January 2, 2009 at 3:34 PM
Just give me the name of the one American 9/11 terrorist.
factoid on January 2, 2009 at 3:36 PM
You don’t know how to use logic very well do you? And because you don’t you miss my point entirely That’s fine. You can go on thinking that the majority of muslims are unsafe while I’ll continue thinking that the majority of peanuts are rotten.
shick on January 2, 2009 at 3:37 PM
If we just agreed to summit to Islam, the world would be a better place. Just ask Bin Laden.
Mr. Joe on January 2, 2009 at 3:40 PM
I don’t use vegtables to Humans. My logic is thinking that if you think humans are vegatable… you might need some help.
upinak on January 2, 2009 at 3:41 PM
What I should have written. :P
shick on January 2, 2009 at 3:41 PM
They were American residents, working permits for some and a few others trying to get Green Cards. But then McVey wasn’t home gorwn I guess either.
Facty… aren’t you tired of arguing points you have also made up? Alaska is one I keep thinking about that you “made up”. But hey… stating fact is supposedly what youdo… right?
upinak on January 2, 2009 at 3:43 PM
Demonstrating once again your failed logic. :P…
shick on January 2, 2009 at 3:43 PM
Guess you didn’t like Sarah Palin either. Should have guessed.
upinak on January 2, 2009 at 3:43 PM
Naaa… I am just the “peanut”. Idiot!
upinak on January 2, 2009 at 3:43 PM
An American and a terrorist
Kini on January 2, 2009 at 3:45 PM
Take a chill pill. I was joking. I voted for Palin.
shick on January 2, 2009 at 3:46 PM
Even the “moderate” muslims who have been living in this country for years (with children born here) have only one loyality and that is to the muslim faith and anyone who is muslim.
I know a few very well for years, and they are not terrorist, BUT would they hide and protect a terrorist becasue he/she is a muslim….yeah I think they would. Therefore I am cautious of them all.
mag5435 on January 2, 2009 at 3:46 PM
Passengers and airline are in the wrong. But no doubt, the left wing and CAIR will go overboard.
therightwinger on January 2, 2009 at 3:47 PM
Shick:
It really seems as though most people missed your point, haha.
Oh, the Internet.
apollyonbob on January 2, 2009 at 3:49 PM
Name calling now. :`(
shick on January 2, 2009 at 3:50 PM
apollyonbob,
From now on I’ll only give them raspberries. Thanks to your inspiration.
:P
shick on January 2, 2009 at 3:52 PM
BTW, apologists for Islam need to spend some time at Islam: Religion of Peace (and a big stack of dead bodies) and Jihad Watch.
The ROP site has a nice About page that will get you started (their emphasis):
INC on January 2, 2009 at 3:54 PM
From Jihad Watch, here’s part of an interview with Robert Spencer about his book Stealth Jihad: (my emphasis in bold)
INC on January 2, 2009 at 3:55 PM
If you ask me (and nobody has) but if they want to be profiled then they picked out the right outfit. My give-a-shit is busted for these people. I won’t wait around until my country has turned into Europe and cleaning up the mess becomes more difficult. Assimilate or not I don’t give a damn, but me and mine won’t be put at risk because you think you can be cute and make a ‘Joke’ then become indignant because you got called on it.
thomasaur on January 2, 2009 at 3:56 PM
Ditto.
NoDonkey on January 2, 2009 at 4:00 PM
Any behavior towards muslims the dicourages them from settling into/returning to the USA is fine by me.
Those people are the Nazi’s of out time & we shouldnt hide behind the cowardice of “tolerance”.
DwnSouthJukin on January 2, 2009 at 4:01 PM
Wow, need to work on the typos :|
DwnSouthJukin on January 2, 2009 at 4:01 PM
I’d be uncomfortable also and if they were allowed back on the plane, I would rebook on another flight.
Kini on January 2, 2009 at 4:03 PM
How will you be more cautious? Will you perhaps keep an eye out for peanuts that seem to have something in common with the bad peanut?
Remember, bad peanuts can make you sick, and even worse if you use them for brains.
DarkCurrent on January 2, 2009 at 4:07 PM
I would not fly with these people! If I am on a flight with obvious Muslims I watch them very carefully! Always will! Sorry, but until you get your people under control and stop believing that you get to kill everyone that doesn’t practice your faith, we are going to continue to be very cautious o of you. Scared, hardly! Your people live in the 4th century! Just careful so that if you try it again, we are going to stop you next time!
sabbott on January 2, 2009 at 4:11 PM
I think you meant that as a joke but that’s exactly what I would do. I would do my best to identify the bad peanut by its characteristics.
That’s funny.
shick on January 2, 2009 at 4:12 PM
That’s my new mayor you’re accusing buster!
/sarc
I agree with Robert Spencer–I’d rather be inconvenienced than dead.
Bob's Kid on January 2, 2009 at 4:16 PM
Maybe that’s why they didn’t conduct sabotage or terrorist operations against the US. Think about it.
DarkCurrent on January 2, 2009 at 4:19 PM
Your justifying it? If so, I’m not going to waste my time with you.
shick on January 2, 2009 at 4:34 PM
No, it wasn’t a joke.
Now that you’re examining the peanuts, are there any conspicuous characteristics you’ll rule out from consideration, even though experience indicates these are often consistent with “bad”? Perhaps discoloration or the obvious growth of mold is prejudicial.
DarkCurrent on January 2, 2009 at 4:39 PM
Xenophobia
shick on January 2, 2009 at 4:40 PM
Yep. I believe I may know a little more about Japanese culture that you. It was justified.
DarkCurrent on January 2, 2009 at 4:42 PM
Denial.
INC on January 2, 2009 at 4:45 PM
shick, since this appears directly below my post without any other reference I believe it may be directed at me. Is that the case?
DarkCurrent on January 2, 2009 at 4:46 PM
You are confusing prejudging with judging post. If I examined a peanut and found mold growing on it I could then distinguish that this was indeed a bad peanut because I had enough information about it. My judgment would therefore be a post judgment. A judgment without such information would be a prejudice.
For example: to say that Sarah Palin was illogical because I encountered one Alaskan who didn’t follow logic would be a prejudice.
shick on January 2, 2009 at 4:49 PM
Ahh. Now it’s confirmed that your previous post was directed to me, the muslim apologist. /sarcasm
shick on January 2, 2009 at 4:51 PM
It was in reference to many on this site that fear the majority of muslims. You included.
Don’t get me wrong. I’m a bit of a xenophobe myself and sometimes have to keep the tendency at bay.
shick on January 2, 2009 at 4:53 PM
How would you know mold was bad for you? Just because you’d eaten one moldy peanut and gotten sick? You might have gotten sick anyway. Or would it be the pattern? Like 9/11/01, Beslan, Darfur, Mumbai…
DarkCurrent on January 2, 2009 at 4:55 PM
Exactly what fear of the unknown am I in denial of? Or are you saying that I’m in denial that muslims are unsafe?
I must admit that my single worded comment deserves nothing less than a single worded response.
Touche.
shick on January 2, 2009 at 4:56 PM
It’s going on 6:00 AM Saturday morning where I live. Where are you?
DarkCurrent on January 2, 2009 at 4:57 PM
Just when I think you might get my point you say this.
Okay. Your’e right. All peanuts are rotten because four had mold. /sarcasm
shick on January 2, 2009 at 5:00 PM
You over generalize. All peanuts are not bad, but all should be examined carefully. Particularly the ones with obvious characteristics in common with many known bad ones.
DarkCurrent on January 2, 2009 at 5:03 PM
get on the plane…. sit down….. stfu…. how hard is that?
lexa on January 2, 2009 at 5:07 PM
shick,
Not just you-there were others above.
I have to admit I couldn’t resist the one word reply.
:-)
I don’t think I would use the word fear to describe my thinking or feeling. I’m not in any physical danger at the moment.
Eyes wide open is a phrase that comes to mind when it comes to understanding and recognizing the reality of the situation–as stated above by Spencer:
And the fact that Muslims protesting against Muslim violence have been few and far between both worldwide and in the USA. There was one Egyptian writer I saw the other day who did so, but they are few.
INC on January 2, 2009 at 5:09 PM
Airlines safe to fly on:
U.S. Airways
AirTran Airways
I must remember those and patronize them. :)
Sterling Holobyte on January 2, 2009 at 5:12 PM
shick, I ask again where are you? I guess you’re in your safe little burrow and have never actually been outside yet. Am I wrong?
DarkCurrent on January 2, 2009 at 5:18 PM
As to the shenanigans of CAIR! As jeanie noted above, this situation might have been contrived. I’ve become so jaundiced about this, that it’s entirely possible this was set up to (1) gauge the reaction of passengers and/or (2) if there was a protest, to use it to try to get a legal battle/decision that would further the image of racism or xenophobia of those who would protest and speak up about suspicious statements and activities by Muslims.
INC on January 2, 2009 at 5:25 PM
Do you think that 9/11 gave a hint.
Johan Klaus on January 2, 2009 at 5:26 PM
Let’s see. muslim, muslim, muslim…..
Johan Klaus on January 2, 2009 at 5:28 PM
Innocent ignorant Muslim apologists think with their heart as do most on the left as well. You should think with your brain and allow your heart a voice only after victory.
BL@KBIRD on January 2, 2009 at 5:32 PM
See shick’s post at 5:00 PM. Four clear hints are not enough. I doubt any finite number of hints would be enough to total a clue.
DarkCurrent on January 2, 2009 at 5:33 PM
I had relatives that were put in camps and you can tell by my name, that I am not Japanese.
Johan Klaus on January 2, 2009 at 5:35 PM
I am not afraid of muslims. I don’t fly and any where else that go, I am packing.
Johan Klaus on January 2, 2009 at 5:40 PM
There was an Emishi clan named Klaus that Abe-no-Hirafu’s army pushed into northern Eurasia. You could be Japanese.
DarkCurrent on January 2, 2009 at 5:49 PM
Third world countries like the Hyde Park neighborhood of Chicago, Illinois?
Shocka!
Buy Danish on January 2, 2009 at 6:02 PM
Ha so.
Johan Klaus on January 2, 2009 at 6:09 PM
I’ve always felt Michael Totten is a reliable journalist who records facts and objective observations. How about you?
http://www.city-journal.org/2008/18_4_kosovo_muslims.html
a capella on January 2, 2009 at 6:14 PM
Let’s see; is there any conflict in the world that does not involve muslims.
Johan Klaus on January 2, 2009 at 6:14 PM
Typical Emishi. That’s the poor language skills and attitude that required your relocation.
DarkCurrent on January 2, 2009 at 6:30 PM
Meanwhile over at Slashdot (news for nerds) they’ve decided to jump in on this by calling it an act of unprovoked racism (on the part of the racist old ladies no doubt).
Skywise on January 2, 2009 at 6:32 PM
What races were involved?
DarkCurrent on January 2, 2009 at 6:36 PM
I know, seems simple enough. I agree with “My Give A Damns Busted” So what, they had to deplane, and take another flight, really so freakin what? But now it is in the national news, and right now Israel is pounding Hamas…and look Americans are screening their flights like they have been since 9/11. Really they – CAIR, have cried wolf one to many times….Whine away people who like to wear their laundry on their heads:) Semi quote from Col Jack Jacobs, I Fav. Lastest article below, Lebanon Redux.
http://jackjacobs.newsvine.com/
Dr Evil on January 2, 2009 at 6:38 PM
Huckabee is a hater. But non of the anti-Muslim fanatics in here are. Right.
Just about every gangster I’ve ever met, known, seen or smelled wears a crucifix or has one tatted somewhere on their body. I don’t run when I see Christians coming…despite our historically documented violent past.
One of the guys is an anesthisiologist; he takes people to the brink of death every day. If he’s such a threat, his license should be revoked and he should be disallowed to have a life-or-death impact on American lives.
Extreme Islam is a problem, but so is calling for the arbitrary expunge and hatred of American citizens.
***
Adam from the OC and Tim McVeigh aren’t the only American terrorists and certainly are not the only white ones.
The Race Card on January 2, 2009 at 6:43 PM
What a disgusting collection of racist, ignorant and intolerant comments.
Overall the comments on Hotair are getting more and more extreme and more and more offensive. Why is that? Why are you all so bitter?
Since November this site has gone down the toilet.
Dave Rywall on January 2, 2009 at 6:45 PM
a capella
Totten is honest enough to admit he is not always sure that Muslims tell him the truth or what they think he want’s to hear. He want’s us to believe that the charade in Kosovo is what happens to Muslims when exposed to American ideas. He is far too naive in this respect.
BL@KBIRD on January 2, 2009 at 6:49 PM
The majority of Pit Bulls are peaceful. Because a few Pit bulls are not does not give you the right to label all Pit Bulls as “unsafe”.
The majority of the time one plays Russian Roulette it is safe. Because a few times it is fatal does not give you the right to label all games of Russian Roulette as “unsafe”.
The majority of the time Blago made appointments it was without taking a bribe. Because a few times he took a bribe does not give you the right to label him as “untrustworthy”
.
So many analogies, so little time.
MB4 on January 2, 2009 at 6:51 PM
The majority of Pit Bulls are peaceful. Because a few Pit bulls are not does not give you the right to label all Pit Bulls as “unsafe”.
The majority of the time one plays Russian Roulette it is safe. Because a few times it is fatal does not give you the right to label all games of Russian Roulette as “unsafe”.
The majority of the time Blago made appointments it was without taking a bribe. Because a few times he took a bribe does not give you the right to label him as “untrustworthy”
.
So many analogies, so little time.
MB4 on January 2, 2009 at 6:51 PM
——-
These analogies are stupid and irrelevant at the same time. Congratulations.
Dave Rywall on January 2, 2009 at 6:53 PM
AirTran apologizes
corona on January 2, 2009 at 6:54 PM
Dave Rywall
What race are you deluding to? You are one of those unfortunates who think with their hearts. The problem is that it upsets the natural order of things in your system . It starts with thinking and deciding with your heart without the bother of investigation into the facts. So thinking with your heart quickly leads to defecating from your mouth.
Sound familiar Dave?
BL@KBIRD on January 2, 2009 at 6:57 PM
They just appear that way to your dull perceptions. Congratulations.
MB4 on January 2, 2009 at 6:58 PM
Skywise on January 2, 2009 at 6:58 PM
I guess you’ll be going now then?
DarkCurrent on January 2, 2009 at 6:59 PM
Airlines safe to fly on:
U.S. Airways
AirTran Airways – Sterling
Don’t forget Southwest, we had a guy (this was PRE-9/11) who tried to break into the cockpit … our Passangers KILLED him … yes, I said they KILLED him! PRE-9/11!
Tony737 on January 2, 2009 at 6:59 PM
“The family’s version appears so innocuous that it seems unlikely that it alone would have caused a delay and rescreening. “
Do you travel a lot?
I (don’t look vaguely muslim) and my decidedly non-muslim looking wife have been treated as ’suspects’ for next to no reason at all in a variety of airports. Subjected to extra security checks etc. Protocols I think they are called.
Look at the quality of the staff and the security ‘measures’ and you will see some glaring problems. Check out a pilot’s forum some time…
Ares on January 2, 2009 at 7:04 PM
Dave and I are urging all Zionist and Christian forces who are working against the Islamic Holy Forces of Allah to shut their mouths immediately.
Otherwise, Dave and I will hold them responsible for their words. Any attempt to speak out against the Islamic Holy forces of Allah is pointless. We are committed to putting all aircraft of the world under our jurisdiction.
You cannot speak out against the Islamic Holy Forces of Allah. Any group that speaks out against the Islamic Holy Forces of Allah will be sued and then destroyed. The Islamic Holy Forces of Allah will overcome the Zionist and Christian infidels and their Hotair stooges.
Allah willing.
Aleph on January 2, 2009 at 7:06 PM
These stupid irrelevancies will be easily blown away by the coherent light of the Rywall Logic Laser, once it’s charged.
DarkCurrent on January 2, 2009 at 7:10 PM
It’s not extreme Islam, it’s Islam.
You cannot say that about Christianity, no matter how many gangster you see wearing a crucifix.
INC on January 2, 2009 at 7:13 PM
See, these maroons come here and see everyone using each other and sometimes winning, and think to themselves “what a great scam!” Because where they come from there is no rule of law, let along courts, let alone suing for vengeance for your grievances so they just simply don’t understand what the procedure is.
Such as having to open your bank account so the defendent can do diligence. Ditto inquiries to the IRS wondering what sort of taxes you’ve been paying while you’ve been in the United States.
Such as having the defendant interview your boss and all your neighbors to see what kind of a sterling – or not to sterling – character you are.
And finally, the super-big bad last step that our new American brethren who are Muslims just never seem to wrap their minds around: the jury. That they’ll have to convince 12 randomly-selected *other* Americans (in other words, not-Muslims) to agree that they were ill-done and deserve a financial reward.
And what is the likelihood of that *ever* happening, especially when it involves polygamous wives, too-many children, and bearded men flying in the same sort of conveyance that other Muslims used to such evil ends less can ten years ago.
None. Nada. Zip. Zilch. Ever. Never.
NahnCee on January 2, 2009 at 7:19 PM
There are worse things than having an uncharged or a malfunctioning Rywall Logic Laser, friend. With my little ring I can take Dave Rywall apart molecule by molecule and then put him back together again. And maybe I put him back together right and maybe I don’t. But he’ll be alive and conscious for every second of it.
HalJordan on January 2, 2009 at 7:19 PM
If that could somehow be worked into Southwest ads… ;-)
DarkCurrent on January 2, 2009 at 7:20 PM
At the molecular level there are a lot of useful parts.
DarkCurrent on January 2, 2009 at 7:25 PM
Setup!
OldEnglish on January 2, 2009 at 7:54 PM
Of course it’s a set up. Like Mummers at Christmas it’s the first performance of Muslim Grievance Theater of the new year. A time to test how soft the west has become in the recent drain of resources and morale since 9/11.
It may well be a taxing year.
BL@KBIRD on January 2, 2009 at 8:01 PM
I over generalized to make a point but I’m not sure if you understood my /sarcasm tag.
I also think you missed something in my analogy. The peanuts did not represent all people with the rotten peanuts representing the muslims. I compared the characteristics of a group, muslims, with another another group, peanuts. There surely are other groups that can be added to complete this analogy. Among Christians, Hindus, Buddhists, atheists, dates, mangoes and avocados there are bad ones.
shick on January 2, 2009 at 8:04 PM
Probably. A less inoculums family sent to probe our defenses beyond the security checks.
Remember, the imams did their little stunt before boarding….
jerrytbg on January 2, 2009 at 8:04 PM
inodorous
jerrytbg on January 2, 2009 at 8:08 PM
shick on January 2, 2009 at 8:04 PM
See my comment above at 7:13 PM.
A better analogy would be if a crop of peanuts were planted in soil that was highly contaminated with toxic metals. You would not expect to grow peanuts that were edible.
The surprise would be if any of the peanuts were found to be toxin-free.
INC on January 2, 2009 at 8:10 PM
I agree and visit Spencer’s website often. Understand this point first and foremost. I believe that all of the hearts of MAN are wicked and it doesn’t take much to set him off into wickedness. So I am not surprised that in predominantly Muslim countries they are harsh to infidel. I know of the horrors inflicted on my Christian brethren abroad.
shick on January 2, 2009 at 8:12 PM
At what point can we just be honest about things and just say that in many cases:
Racial profiling = common sense.
Handel on January 2, 2009 at 8:14 PM
Dave, weren’t you the one calling names in November.. concerning Sarah Palin?
Aren’t you one huge pot, calling the kettle black?
upinak on January 2, 2009 at 8:15 PM
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