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Israeli consul denied seat on U.S. flt.

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TMMT

Well-known member
Joined
Jun 25, 2002
Posts
21,656
Israeli consul denied seat on U.S. flight because he was a 'security risk'

Israel's consul general in New York, Alon Pinkas, was denied a seat on a National Airlines flight from San Francisco when the plane's pilot screamed at security personnel, "I don't care what you do, he will not get onto my plane." The pilot said that Pinkas's presence would endanger all the other passengers on the flight.
The incident occurred Thursday night, Yediot Aharonot reported, shortly after Pinkas had completed public relations work in San Francisco. He was due to return to New York on the National Airlines flight. Upon his arrival at the airport, security officials informed the pilot that the Israeli consul would be getting on board the flight, and the pilot responded that he would not fly the plane if there was an Israeli diplomat aboard.

According to media reports, the pilot nearly had a temper tantrum in the airport terminal as he argued with police officers who demanded that he let Pinkas board the plane. The manager of National Airlines' San Francisco office threatened the pilot that if the press reported on the incident, the pilot would lose his job.

The pilot apparently broke down in tears, and was said to be close to a nervous breakdown. Pinkas saw what was happening, and asked to be booked on a different flight. In the end, he returned to New York on Continental Airlines.

"It appears to be the case of one stupid guy and not a systemic problem," Pinkas said.

San Francisco Police registered an official complaint against the pilot, and the United States State Department is investigating the incident. Sources at Israel's Foreign Ministry said that they would file a complaint with National Airlines, asking that the pilot be disciplined.

:confused:
 
Shut the whole airline down. Yeah that's makes sense. Then in your opinion America West should shut down also. Because they have pilots that show up drunk. Get real. If that was the case all the airlines should shut down then. I am sure all the airlines out there have had a pilot make the wrong decision once or stupid one.

I don't fly 121 but isn't the captain's right to refuse anyone? If it is this guy shouldn't get anything done to him. And if he felt the safety could be in jeopardy then more power to him. Otherwise who cares. It all goes down to we hurt some foreigners feelings :( . BOOHOO.
 
Dep676 said:
I don't fly 121 but isn't the captain's right to refuse anyone? If it is this guy shouldn't get anything done to him. And if he felt the safety could be in jeopardy then more power to him. Otherwise who cares. It all goes down to we hurt some foreigners feelings :( . BOOHOO.

The captain has the right boot anyone but that doesn't preclude having him prove to the company that his action was warranted. Airlines have the duty to transport anyone unless there is good cause not to. Just because this is a high-profile passenger doesn't mean he's a security risk. This captain over-reacted and he should be admonished to use better judgement in the future.
 
2 things come to mind...

1.) CRM = Captain Runs Machine

2.) If the foreigners don't like it here, then they can
get the f&*% out...Nobody's forcin' them to stay!!!
 
Acestick said:

2.) If the foreigners don't like it here, then they can
get the f&*% out...Nobody's forcin' them to stay!!!

What does this incident have to do with foreigners? The captain made an emotional decision rather than a logical one. Just because he has the "right" doesn't make him right.
 
Like it or not- agree or disagree with his "choice" the bottom line is "he" has the ultimate say whether or not someone rides or doesn't...... The captain is the one who signs off on the flight release NOT the media nor the police officers working on the "ground"..... As a DAL agent a few years ago I have seen DAL's captains refuse on more than one occasion and the airline has always backed the decision and in most cases if not all the captain had just cause to refuse-.... It is the captain's equipment and if he feels uncomfortable for any reason then by all means he is justified in making that choice- Always "great" to monday morning QB a situation but in most cases it always seems to defy logical reasoning..... Ya don't like the US of A then move- (they say Italy is a great place)

C H E E R S

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