Caracas Flight Returns To Mia-fighter Jet Escort

[WingNaPrayer]

If you look at my history, you'll note that, although it may have looked like belittlement, it was actually a reinforcement of my staunch believe that labor at AA is stressed out beyond all human capacity, to the point that no one appears to be thinking straight, or making rational decisions anymore.

On her best day, I don't doubt for a split second that this FA would have seen this woman's actions for exactly what they were, a simple attempt to get her attention.

It's all out of control - let the spiraling begin!

 

[orwell]

UK Man Charged With Conspiring With Shoe Bomber Reid -BBC


Dow Jones & Company, Inc. -- December 3, 2003


LONDON (Dow Jones)--The 24-year-old Gloucester man arrested last week by U.K. police has been charged under the Terrorism Act, and faces a charge of conspiring with the "shoe bomber" Richard Reid, BBC television reports.

The BBC said Sajid Badat faces three charges including one that between
September 2001 and November 2003 he conspired with Richard Reid, and unknown
others, to "use an explosive device or cause an explosion."

Last week, police said explosive material was found at the man's home in
Gloucester, where he was arrested Nov. 27 on suspicion of involvement in the
commission, preparation or instigation of acts of terrorism. He was interviewed
by police at the high-security Paddington Green police station in west London.

Richard Reid is a Briton who tried but failed to ignite explosives-packed
shoes aboard an American Airlines flight to Miami Dec. 22, 2001. He was
sentenced to life in prison in January by a judge in Boston.


Dow Jones Newswires
12-03-03 1235ET



Copyright © 2003 Dow Jones & Company, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

 

[TWAAer]

Hey Orwell is Greyhound hiring?

 

[Royal Ambassador]

The official AA version as relayed to the pilots through corporate communications:

... this was one of those situations that was blown out of proportion due to a series of mis-communications. . . . these are the facts as we know them. The passenger in question, a 69 year old female doctor, was asleep in her seat. The flight attendant was passing out immigration forms and had leaned over the passenger to talk with a small child on the other side of her. The passenger awoke and was startled by the presence of the flight attendant and she struck the flight attendant twice in the body, no blows to the face.

The cabin crew reported the incident to the Captain and he asked if they thought they should return to MIA which they did. En route the Captain attempted to raise the cabin crew on the interphone but was unable to get an answer. (Maintenance subsequently placarded the mid-galley interphone inop, the flight attendants never heard the chimes from the cockpit.) Since he was unsure of the status of the cabin he declared an emergency thus the fighters were scrambled. Meanwhile the passenger was attempting to apologize to the flight attendant through an interpreter stating that she didn't mean to strike her, she was very tired and was startled by the FA leaning over her.

The cabin crew did gain contact with the cockpit and explained that it was a misunderstanding but by that time the ground reaction was already in motion. The aircraft was met by corporate security, the FBI, Flight Service management and local police. The DFW-based pilots were put in touch with their Chief as well. The passenger and her bags were removed from the flight and she was detained for questioning by the FBI. She was denied further travel on AA. The FA was removed from the trip at her request and the flight re-departed.

 

[FWAAA]

The official AA version as relayed to the pilots through corporate communications:

... this was one of those situations that was blown out of proportion due to a series of mis-communications. . . . these are the facts as we know them. The passenger in question, a 69 year old female doctor, was asleep in her seat. The flight attendant was passing out immigration forms and had leaned over the passenger to talk with a small child on the other side of her. The passenger awoke and was startled by the presence of the flight attendant and she struck the flight attendant twice in the body, no blows to the face.

The cabin crew reported the incident to the Captain and he asked if they thought they should return to MIA which they did. En route the Captain attempted to raise the cabin crew on the interphone but was unable to get an answer. (Maintenance subsequently placarded the mid-galley interphone inop, the flight attendants never heard the chimes from the cockpit.) Since he was unsure of the status of the cabin he declared an emergency thus the fighters were scrambled. Meanwhile the passenger was attempting to apologize to the flight attendant through an interpreter stating that she didn't mean to strike her, she was very tired and was startled by the FA leaning over her.

The cabin crew did gain contact with the cockpit and explained that it was a misunderstanding but by that time the ground reaction was already in motion. The aircraft was met by corporate security, the FBI, Flight Service management and local police. The DFW-based pilots were put in touch with their Chief as well. The passenger and her bags were removed from the flight and she was detained for questioning by the FBI. She was denied further travel on AA. The FA was removed from the trip at her request and the flight re-departed.

Thanks for posting confirmation of the over-reaction by the PIC. A snap judgment with too little information on which to base that decision placed the lives of over 130 persons in jeopardy for no reason at all.

The cabin crew thought they should return to MIA? And the PIC went along with that poor decision?

She needed questioning by the FBI? Good grief. How stupid we have become.

 

[Mach85ER]

FWAAA,

Please state any experience or qualifications that you may have in order to intelligently comment on the incident. From the view of this pilot who has flown as a Captain at American Airlines, you've only demonstrated an infantile lack of knowledge as it relates to the command decisons that took place on this flight. :down: