http://www.boston.com/dailynews/013/nation/Pilot_charged_with_terroristic:.shtml

Pilot charged with terroristic threats after making 'inappropriate'' comment at airport

By Associated Press, 1/13/2002 14:47

PHILADELPHIA (AP) A US Airways pilot was charged with terroristic threats and disorderly conduct Sunday after he made ''inappropriate'' comments at an airport security checkpoint, authorities said.

''The pilot made some comments that the (security) screeners thought were inappropriate,'' said Federal Aviation Administration spokeswoman Arlene Salac, who declined to elaborate on what was said.

City police charged the pilot, Elwood Menear, 46, of Annville, with the misdemeanors and he remained in custody Sunday afternoon, said Cpl. Jim Pauley, a police department spokesman. He also refused to give specifics about the comments.

The pilot was scheduled to fly from Philadelphia International Airport to Milwaukee on Sunday morning.

''There was no immediate threat to anybody,'' said US Airways spokesman David Castelveter.

The FBI is investigating and will determine whether to file charges against the pilot, bureau spokeswoman Linda Vizi said.

Salac said the FAA could ground the pilot.

-- Anonymous, January 13, 2002

Answers

While I don't know exactly what happened in this situation I do know from past experience how such an incident can develop. The security people at the check points are often poorly educated and not too smart. They are chosen first for their willingness to work at low pay, not for their brightness and ability to deal with human beings in a courteous and understanding way. For some of them, *everybody* is a potential terrorist, even the pilot.

Pilots must go through these check points with their luggage and flight bags in many cases. Sometimes the security person will decide to do a full examination of the pilot and/or baggage for some reason. If you give them any guff they will just stop you right there and call for higher authority to check you out. If you are still miffed at the way you are being treated and say anything challenging they may just pull you out of line and charge you with some violation.

The pilot may have been having a stressful day and made some comment that if he wanted to hijack an airplane he could do it any time he felt like it, which of course is true, but beyond the comprehension of a low IQ security person. I have had similar confrontations with security people. They are sometimes too stupid to realize you (a pilot) are in full charge of the aircraft and can pretty much destroy it any time you would want to, same as a bus driver could.

Of course no airline pilot ever does that. But the dimwit security people just can't see the big picture sometimes. Still, all things considered, it never pays to cross a dumb person who can arrest you. Not worth the momentary heated exchange with them. Since this was a US Air pilot I imagine his whole career is on shaky grounds right now. His company is flirting with bankruptcy and now he just got himself into further problems. Never pays to get involved with a Tar Baby, as Brer Bear found out in Song Of The South. I try to keep that in mind when dealing with bureaucracy people. Usually I manage to avoid any conflicts, but there are some days.............

-- Anonymous, January 13, 2002

I just read an update on this pilot from local Philadelphia news. It appears that he did get into a confrontation with the folks running a security checkpoint and did say he could hijack the airplane any time he wanted to. They took it as a threat, rather than the simple truth. They further seem to have become bogged down with their own ignorant attitude and decided the pilot was a threat to air safety and had him arrested. Just goes to show what can happen when you are dealing with someone who is both stupid and a bureaucrat. Tough luck for the pilot.

-- Anonymous, January 14, 2002

Gordon, I think they're on to something. Surely grounding all the pilots would improve air safety immeasurably...

-- Anonymous, January 14, 2002

Brooks, LOL!!!

Imagine what could happen if they decide to allow pilots to carry a gun. Again. Because in days gone by it was not illegal for a pilot to bring his own gun with him. In fact, just a couple years back, there was a pilot with one of the Middle East carriers that got stopped during a security check at London airport. He had a gun in his suitcase. He said he always carried it on his NY run because it was so darn dangerous there. Of course they weren't about to let him do that. Don't know what finally became of the situation. Anyway, pilots are just human, get frustrated by all the crazy security rules, keeping in mind that as soon as the pilot is on the aircraft they are in full charge of every possible decision, and they sometimes get fed up with the ignorance of security people about their job. Ahhh shucks.

-- Anonymous, January 14, 2002

Some people will do just about anything to get a day off work. :>)

-- Anonymous, January 14, 2002