Fox News reported today that the imans kicked off the US Airways flight staged an airport “pray-in” to protest what they call racial profiling by US Airways. Here’s the airline’s side of the story:
US Airways Group Inc. spokeswoman Andrea Rader said prayer was never the issue.
“Apparently, as they were boarding, one passenger overheard them saying what they thought were anti-U.S. statements,” Rader said.
She also said the men got up and moved around the airplane, forcing the flight crew to consult with the airline about whether they might pose a security risk. Local law enforcement and the FBI thought they did, she said.
Sounds suspicious enough to me. While everyone has the right to free speech, the courts have recognized limits to this right. Yelling fire in a crowded theater is often the example provided. Making anti-US comments on a crowded plane would certainly cause passenger concern as well. These imans certainly have the right to hate the US all they want, but it would be wise if they kept these thoughts to themselves while boarding/flying an airplane.
The article also notes that the imans were moving about the plane. Another article I read mentioned that they asked to switch seats. This can be incredibly disruptive during boarding– especially with the recent airline load factors. It also reduces the chance of an on-time departure. The proper way to switch seats is to ask at the check-in desk prior to boarding. If nothing is available, board the plane AND then ask the flight crew if a move would be possible AFTER everyone has been seated and the plane has taken off. I’ve seen passengers try to switch seats without asking, and it always causes a disruption when the passenger who is ticketed for that seat has to ask the other passenger to move.
These imans seem rather entitled to me. I would be surprised if they were the type of passenger to protest if someone reclined his seat in front of them. After all, they have demonstrated that they care only about themselves and not the feelings of their fellow passengers.
