Mon, Jan 05, 2009
Finally; here's the official
statements from AirTran on what allegedly occurred to a number of
Muslim passengers who attempted to fly the airline over the
holiday...
Remember now, this is THEIR side of the story... lawsuits, no
doubt, will follow....
Official Statement
AirTran Airways has issued the following statement regarding
AirTran flight 175 originating at Ronald Reagan Washington National
Airport on January 1, 2009.
At departure time, the Captain of flight 175 informed the
airline that there were two federal air marshals onboard who
contacted local and federal Washington law enforcement officials
for a security related issue onboard the aircraft involving verbal
comments made by a passenger and overheard by other passengers. The
airline then advised the Transportation Security Administration
(TSA). It was determined that all 104 passengers onboard must
deplane and passengers, crew, baggage and the aircraft should be
re-screened. After the re-screening of the passengers, crew, bags
and the aircraft, 95 passengers were allowed to reboard the
aircraft and nine were detained for interrogation by the local law
enforcement officials, the FBI and the TSA. Flight 175 departed
nearly two hours late and arrived safely at its destination.
Later in the day, six of the nine
detained passengers approached the customer service counter and
asked to be rebooked to Orlando. At the time, the airline had not
been notified by the authorities that the passengers were cleared
to fly and would not rebook them until receiving said clearance.
One passenger in the party became irate and made inappropriate
comments. The local law enforcement officials came over and
escorted the passengers away from the gate podium.
AirTran Airways complied with all TSA, law enforcement and
Homeland Security directives and had no discretion in the matter.
The nine passengers involved were all offered full refunds and may
fly with AirTran Airways again after having been released from
questioning and cleared by the law enforcement officials.
Flight Details for AirTran Airways flight 175 on January 1,
2009:
Origin:
Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport
Destination:
Orlando International Airport
Scheduled Departure
Time: 12:59 p.m.
Scheduled Arrival
Time: 3:15
p.m.
Actual Departure
Time: 2:54
p.m.
Actual Arrival
Time: 5:13
p.m.
Aircraft
Type: Boeing
717
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