Passenger prayer spurs security alert on LA flight

[RamboLiberal]

Source: AP

LOS ANGELES (AP) -- Pilots on an Alaska Airlines flight from Mexico City to Los Angeles locked down the cockpit and alerted authorities Sunday when a flight crew grew alarmed at the behavior of three men who turned out to be conducting an elaborate orthodox Jewish prayer ritual, officials said.

The men, all Mexican nationals, began the ritual that involves tying leather straps and small wooden boxes to the body, and the crew of Flight 241 alerted the cockpit, airline spokeswoman Bobbie Egan said.

"Shortly after takeoff, a flight attendant saw what she believed was unusual behavior from three passengers on board," Egan said in a statement. "The three passengers were praying aloud in Hebrew and were wearing what appeared to be leather straps on their foreheads and arms."

The cockpit was placed on a security lockdown for the rest of the flight - meaning the door couldn't be opened even for pilots to leave briefly. Normal protocol calls for the cockpit to be locked, but on longer flights the pilots will leave and return from the flight deck.



Read more: http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_PRAYING_PASSENGERS?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2011-03-13-15-36-39

[BillyJack]

1. Jewish Mexicans....well that's not uncommon

:sarcasm:

[somone]

3. There are Lebanese-Mexicans too

like Carlos Slim Helu, the richest man in the world.

[wtmusic]

7. Or tying small boxes to one's body with leather straps nt

[Skittles]

2. no, BIZARRE passenger behavior spurred the alert

[leftynyc]

16. Not bizarre at all

Uncommon but I'm amazed somebody on the plane didn't recognize it.

[Skittles]

18. I find all religious rituals bizarre

[sarcasmo]

21. +1 Skitles.

[leftynyc]

24. That would be your problem (nt)

[Skittles]

27. it's not a problem

not at ALL

[TygrBright]

4. There wasn't ONE, SINGLE crew member who recognized phylacteries?

I mean, come on. I'm a shiksa from way back and even I get that.

amazedly,
Bright

[truth2power]

11. Shiksa here, too, and I knew right away

what they were talking about. Sheesh!!!

Something about writing it upon the doorposts of thy house (a mezzuzah) and thine arm (phylacteries). Apologies for not getting this right. It's early.

[No Elephants]

20. "Shikse" is pejorative, not simply a neutral term.

[truth2power]

22. I know. But I was just following up on tyger's term to say

even many non-jews know that.

[ProgressiveProfessor]

14. I know many who are shocked when they see it for the first time

It is rarely seen, at least in public, here on the west coast.

[Zoigal]

5. Surprised that the airline doesn't teach its flight employees about

different religion's practices...z

[DRoseDARs]

6. "Flight attendant sees non-Christians praying, causes panic on LA flight"

Fixed the headline for you.

[JanDutchy]

8. Lesson in oecumenic flight in pray-simulator by Vatican Christ Force One?

[truthisfreedom]

9. I just googled "Vatican Christ Force One" and no hits. I'm stealing it.

I'm 50 and I'm starting a band tomorrow. If I can remember what the plan is... wait, who are you again?

[JanDutchy]

13. Yes, You can !

humor hasn't copyright, it's mindfullnes.

[zogofzorkon]

10. This happened not too long ago on another flight, tho not w/ Mexicans.

[brooklynite]

12. Doesn't Alaska thoughtfully provide a religious message with each meal/snack?

I guess some religions are more appropriate than others.

[Kolesar]

15. Praying the food would not make them sick? eom

[Green_Lantern]

17. Hello...FBI? There are Jooooos being all Joooooey..

Was this Palin Air?

I had no clue about this ritual either but the flight attendants should've asked them first before calling in the FBI.

More disturbing is the FBI basically detaining them for questioning like criminals. Surely an FBI agent would know of religious customs if they deal with religious based terrorism or at least recognize the items were safe.

[No Elephants]

19. So embarrassing.

[Centered]

23. Not sure about anyone else

But I don't care what your religion is... I don't think a plane in flight is the proper setting for ANY religious ritual. Silent prayer is fine with me btw

[JanDutchy]

25. some praying cultures are different: I also respect them

[Centered]

28. I'm all for respect/tolerance

but there is also respect for those around you. If you can't pray motionless and silently then you should spend a moment to evaluate your surroundings before starting. Not arguing with you, I just wanted to clarify my position.

[smoking357]

26. Sad, Sheltered, Uneducated Americans

Who freak out at anything that isn't the interpersonal equivalent of Velveeta.