US Air Pilot arrested

[flydog]

PHILADELPHIA, Pennsylvania (CNN) -- Police at Philadelphia International Airport arrested a US Airways pilot Sunday on two misdemeanor charges after he made an "inappropriate comment" relating to security to an airport screener, airline and law enforcement officials said.

Elwood Maneer, 46, was charged with making terrorist threats and disorderly conduct, said Philadelphia police spokesman Cpl. Jim Pauley, who would not disclose what was said.

"I don't have the exact words," Pauley said. "We're just saying he made an inappropriate comment. We're not going to get into exactly what he said."

Maneer is from Annville, Pennsylvania, about 18 miles east of Harrisburg.

The pilot was going through the screening process around 7 a.m. EST when he "made an inappropriate comment relative to security," said US Airways spokesman David Castelveter, who said the airlines was "cooperating fully" with the investigation. "We find this type of behavior intolerable," he said.

Maneer's comment did not affect airport operations, airport spokesman Mark Pesce said.

Local police have filed misdemeanor charges against Maneer, and the U.S. Attorney's office in Philadelphia was considering the case, said Linda Vizi, a spokesperson for the FBI's Philadelphia office.

Maneer had been scheduled to pilot a flight from Philadelphia to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, which was briefly delayed because US Airways officials had to find another pilot for the flight, Castelveter said.

 

[avbug]

I know of several cases where similiar things have happened to pilots, and in each case, the pilot has lost his job.

While personally I believe such actions are far out of line and inappropriate, I'm the first to remind myself that a pedestrian may have the right of way over an 18-wheeler, but is probably best not to insist. Sacking someone and creating a ruckus over a comment is at best over-reaction, especially for the personnel involved.

HOWEVER, it behooves everyone to keep such comments away from the public, screeners, and the SIDA. We can complain and bicker all we like at meeting places such as this, but for now, comments to screeners, security, and others, are best kept very professional. I would highly recommend that any commentary that is negative in nature, or derrogatory with respect to measures in place, be kept to one's self while passing through those measures.

 

[JetProp]

So..once again a legitimate pilot going to work is treated as the badguy!! What..you can't speak your mind anymore? While the illegal alien, non-US citizen, can't speak english, less than GED educated airport screener is exaulted! What BS!!

 

[1900laker]

I guess it all depends on the comment he made. If he joked about having a bomb tucked in his underwear, because he was pissed about the way he was handled, then he's screwed. But again, depends on what he said. Everytime something like this shows up in the press, the security/crewmember relationship gets more and more attention, which could be a good thing.

 

[Bluestreak]

Yep,he shoulda known better,no doubt.Sure,arrest a pilot,but let the guy with explosive tennis shoes on who was denied boarding the day before that looked like a kook...Can't offend anyone,you know....At least he didn't joke around at security.

 

[JetProp]

Maybe with more attention to the hassles we go through..It will get better.. I get frustrated every time I have to get the "rub" down, wand up the butt..etc..When all I want to do is go to work..
As legitimate crewmembers, we are not the badguys!!

 

[Huck]

He should shut up and watch our once-enjoyable jobs be ruined, like the rest of us.

 

[TurboS7]

MIA,FLL,LAX,ORD,BOS,BWI,KEF,Gitmo,NRR,SJU, I just take my shoes off, jacket, belt, and all my "stuff" and send it through the scanner. When my body goes through the detector no beeps and I am on my merry way. As I walk by the screeners mutter "Your one of the few pilot's that has figured this whole thing out." Cheers.

 

[JetProp]

Good idea..In addition I remove my clip-on tie and eye glasses which seem to set off the dreaded metal detector. Tomorrow, I'm going to Wal-mart and buy some loafers to make the shoe part easier..

 

[jetexas]

I have come very close, on those early am shows (pre-coffee), to just putting my entire body through the x-ray machine. I would'nt even have to take my hat off and I could keep my eye on all my stuff as it goes through!

 

[Cornelius]

I wonder if I could get a job where I screen the screeners. Now that would be some fun!

 

[Bluestreak]

Now THIS would be fun:
On an overnight when you're the originating crew,pack the crash axe and flare gun in your bag before heading to the hotel.Then,in the morning,try explaining to security that it must go back on the airplane !

 

[328dude]

Dude, you scare me!!!!!! LOL

 

[Bluestreak]

You flew a Mitsu "If I ever get this thing trimmed,I gonna have it welded" Moo-too and "I" scare you ? That's saying something.

 

[gulf227]

He should have just kepy his mouth shut...how we all get to hear about it on CNN, why to go DumbA$$.

Security is Sh!tty, but is it bad enough to lose your job over? Don't think so... Kepy your mouth shut until you THROUGH the security checkpoint!

Oh, and if they ask you to take off your belt, don't keep undressing, that doesn't get you any favors...

 

[JetProp]

Here's what he said:
"Why are you worried about tweezers when I could crash the plane?"
...Big brother is watching you...be careful about what you say to these moron screeners!

 

[enigma]

What's your source?

Here's what he said:
"Why are you worried about tweezers when I could crash the plane?"
...Big brother is watching you...be careful about what you say to these moron screeners!

I don't doubt you, but where did you get this information?

Obvioiusly this means that we say nothing to security. If you have a comment, request that the GSC be in attendance.

good luck to us all.

 

[JetProp]

The info is from a recent www.aviationplanning.com article on the subject.
Regards, JetProp

 

[CornJulio]

BOS screeners

Will we get in trouble for pointing out that the new security screeners in Boston look like cub scouts?

For those who haven't seen them, picture this: Black baggy cargo pants, a tight black top with yellow "SECURITY" across the back," a gold braid under the right arm, a yellow scarf under the collar, and a black beret. Yes, a beret.

And these people wonder why people are snickering all day long? Heh....

 

[ifly4food]

He should have just kepy his mouth shut...


Security is ***CENSORED***, but is it bad enough to lose your job over? Don't think so... Kepy your mouth shut until you THROUGH the security checkpoint!

Originally posted by JetProp
Here's what he said: "Why are you worried about tweezers when I could crash the plane?" ...Big brother is watching you...be careful about what you say to these moron screeners!

I find it extremely disturbing that our government has chosen to make an example out of this pilot.
It is a clear attempt to intimidate us into assisting with their joke of a security system (by being singled out for more thorough checks than un-uniformed individuals) and giving up our rights.
Those who say we should just shut up and comply are the ones the government wants to have. These same individuals are the ones who will allow the government to take back the Bill of Rights one by one. Do you all realize what's happening here?

The Big Brother comments become more ironic every day. This is really starting to look like 1984. Now we have uniformed, badged crewmwmbers being publicly arrested and publicly degraded (whatever happened to innocent until proven guilty; let's just try them in the media) for excercizing their right to free speech. Granted, his choice of words may not have been appropriate to the situation, but one ounce of common sense would show that he was not serious. This is a slippery slope and we should be very wary of the precedent this sets.
Before we know it, you won't be able to make anti government comments on the street or risk being arrested on terrorism charges.
Wake up people. We are losing our freedom every day.