Taking Flight

September 10, 2006 - 12:56 PM by Allison

Gilly was “shocked” by the report that an Orthodox Jew was removed from a Canadian flight…for praying while sitting in his seat.

Now I must admit that I’ve said a few prayers whilst flying – particularly when we’ve hit bad turbulence – most flyers would, I think, admit to saying a silent thanks upon landing safely at the far end after a bumpy ride – I certainly won’t be in future, knowing it could get me kicked off the plane.

I think that that this could be setting a rather dangerous precedent if people are going to be thrown off a flight every time another passenger reports that a person on the flight is making them nervous. I for example, am made nervous any time I see a young Muslim man on an airplane; knowing that the majority of hijackings have involved this demographic, I think that I this is perfectly rational – so do I report my concerns? If I were to get on a plane wearing a kippa and find myself sitting in front of a crowd of tatooed, National Front supporting skinheads, I’d certainly be nervous but they might equally report a sudden, atypical case of nerves in order to spite me and have me removed from a flight.

Where does it end?

Share with others