Actually, it's probably just as well that it's impossible to open jet liner doors while in flight. If so, who knows what would happen in cases like this.

Seth Stein is used to jetting around the world to create stylish holiday homes for wealthy clients. This means the hip architect is familiar with the irritations of heightened airline security post-9/11. But not even he could have imagined being mistaken for an Islamist terrorist and physically pinned to his seat while aboard an American Airlines flight -- especially as he has Jewish origins.

Well, you know how it is with those swarthy Mediterranean types -- shifty, the whole lot of 'em.

"This man could have garrotted me and what was awful was that one or two of the passengers went up afterwards to thank him," said Mr Stein. He has since been told by airline staff he was targeted because he was using an iPod, had used the toilet when he got on the plane and that his tan made him appear "Arab".

Those damned iPod-toting terrorists!

In Mr Stein's case, he was pounced on as the crew and other travellers looked on. The drama unfolded less than an hour into the flight. As he settled down with a book and a ginger ale, the father-of-three was grabbed from behind and held in a head-lock.

Because, of course, all terrorists drink ginger ale, alcohol being forbidden to all devout Muslims and Mormons and other such folks in disrepute.

"This guy just told me his name was Michael Wilk, that he was with the New York Police Department, that I'd been acting suspiciously and should stay calm. I could barely find my voice and couldn't believe it was happening," said Mr Stein.

"He went into my pocket and took out my passport and my iPod. All the other passengers were looking concerned."

Can't imagine why.

Eventually, cabin crew explained that the captain had run a security check on Mr Stein after being alerted by the policeman and that this had cleared him. The passenger had been asked to go back to his seat before he had restrained Mr Stein. When the plane arrived in New York, Mr Stein was met by apologetic police officers who offered to fast-track him out of the airport.

So ... the cop (see below) had told the cabin crew about this shifty, suspicious, Semitic-looking fellow, and they'd run a security check. But the check cleared him, and the cop (see below) was told to go sit down -- which he did, before putting that obviously-terroristic ginger ale-sipping suspect into a head lock.

Well, at least he was given the opportunity, after landing, to be hurried away before the lynch mob took him -- or before he could register a formal complaint with someone.

And, just to add to the surreality of the situation:

In a twist to the story, Mr Stein has since discovered that there is only one Michael Wilk on the NYPD's official register of officers, but the man retired 25 years ago. Officials have told the architect that his assailant may work for another law enforcement agency but have refused to say which one.

Well, that makes me feel secure! And as for the airline ...

American Airlines apologised to Mr Stein, who was born in New York, but withdrew an initial offer of $2,000 compensation on the grounds it would be an admission of liability. In a letter dated 30 May, the airline said it had done everything possible to try and protect Mr Stein.

It read: "Unfortunately, as in any public gathering, there may be occasions when a conflict arises between people or when one individual's actions bother another... As our crew members may not always be witness to the inappropriate acts of a particular passenger, there may be a limit to what our crews can do to improve behaviour that is perceived as a nuisance."

"We were helpless before this person assaulting another person on our plane, claiming to be a law enforcement officer. A pity that Mr. Stein was bothered, and a shame that none of our cabin personnel actually saw the dubious police officer acting as a nuisance -- and, after all, it was Mr Stein's fault in the first place for carrying around an iPod and looking like a swarthy Mediterranean sort of fellow."

Fortunately, I don't have to fly American very often. Heaven knows how my half-Italian heritage and occasional MP3-playing behavior would go over.

(via Schneier)

 

 

Filed under :: Homeland Security :: Travel

Is it just me, or are we living in a Twilite Zone episode now?

This is definitely boarder-line Twilight Zone. I feel embarrassed to be an American when I see this stupidity.

We are so worried about terrorism, we are willing to give up our liberties. We are so worried we are willing to attack our own citizens. We are so worried, we are wiling to give the president unlimited power, and not give those who are suspected terrorist a chance to prove their innocent. We are so worried we completely forgot what is truly important. At the very least we should be ashamed.

"This is definitely boarder-line Twilight Zone."

Of course! Stein was out on the wing during flight, furtively pulling out wires and hydraulic lines! And Wilk was playing the role of William Shatner...

I'm all in favor of vigilante resistance to hijackings, but this was jumping the gun just... a... bit. If the airline knows what's good for them, they'll cooperate fully with Stein in tracking down the other "cop" passenger.

DOF, I believe it was Bruce Willis on the wing and Wilk was playing the role of John Amos.