I feel the Muslim community as a whole is not helping their own image, which helps to feed the intolerance. (I happen to have quite a few Muslim friends that are US Airways pilots, and I think I am stating this in an objective way) Instead of attempting to learn from these situations and work with the authorities and non Muslims to avoid these things in the future, some seem to want to make civil rights cases out of them and win bold headlines. They seem to thrive on the sensationalism. Muslims must learn to be tolerant of the feelings and fears of non Muslims which grew out of 9/11, and learn not to create situations through actions that are not necessary whilst on an aircraft. I am saying we need to work together.
I once had a passenger ask me if I had been drinking as I stood by the door greeting my boarding passengers (Boeing 757 in Boston). The word went around like a fire that the pilot had been drinking. I stopped the boarding and went to the clinic to be tested for alcohol. I passed, of course, but it took three hours to administer the test. When I returned to the aircraft, it was like a war zone. I promptly explained to the passengers what had happened. I located the fool who had made the statement and invited him to leave my aircraft with the threat that he would be escorted off by the Boston police if he did not leave of his own accord. Funny thing, his wife remained on board for the trip to St. Martin.
If anyone acts in a furtive or disruptive manner in a US aircraft these days, it creates a passenger uproar. Not just Muslims. Regardless of what the disruption is caused by, the aircraft crew must make a spot decision that will alleviate the situation in a quick and safe fashion, whilst attempting to keep the service on time. Sometimes the hands of the Captain are tied and he must make a decision with the information at hand in an expeditious manner.
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