Late night flight with a strange request... - Page 2

tonyw · November 9th, 2003, 22:56

Have we left the ground yet? If we haven't, then I would go back and talk to them. I'd tell them, look, guys, I respect your religious beliefs, and believe that you have every right to them. But there are some people on this plane, who, given the current state of tensions, may not be understanding. I am going to ask you to please refrain from doing this on the plane in order to put everyone at ease.

Most people are reasonable. They may not be happy about it, but most people will probably go along with it.

TheWife · November 10th, 2003, 00:54

I don't think that the "current state of tensions" should be brought up at all, then you are making it an issue when it might not have been. Planes can be scary. If you are religious you really might need to pray for the sake of feeling peaceful. If I needed to I could do it in my seat. But they do it differently. If it was me, I'd want to know if there was enough room on the floor that they could be there, and still have an FA be able to walk around them and not be blocking the lav to the other passengers. Could they do it one at a time to take up less space? How long will they need? If it's 2 minutes, that's probably not a big deal. If it's 20, that is a big deal. I don't think that other passengers feelings or concerns should really be a factor. Some people are so ridiculous that they don't even want to be on a flight with muslims. Some people don't want to be on a flight with kids. Some people don't want to sit next to an old chatty person. Unless you can afford a private jet, you as a passenger, have an obligation to just be a civil and decent person and not cause any problems. The last plane I was on, I had to spend some time on the floor of the lav to change a diaper. It's not easy, and I felt very unstable. I'd imagine it's worse in the more open area, so I would warn them that they might get hurt if they are on the floor while there is turbulance. But I certainly would not tell them that they can't because it would make others uncomfortable. That does bring up the question though, if the pilot did say it was ok, and they did get hurt, with or without being warned, could they hold the pilot or airline responsible, as it is "the pilots duty to ensure safety."??

shooter13 · November 10th, 2003, 06:50

Just turn on the fasten seatbelt sign due to "turbulence" and forget about it. The FA can tell them that the Captain is all for it but becuase of predicted turbulence, everyone must be in their seat for safety sake.

raysalmon · November 10th, 2003, 07:06

I had many friends at school that were Muslim and had the whole prayer five times a day thing going on. Sometimes class time would interfere with some of the prayer times during the day. I asked them about what happened if they couldn't pray right on time, and they said that the Koran says that they should try to do it at the specified time, but if not possible then as soon afterwards as possible. In other words, Allah does provide some leniency in his schedule.

If it can be satisfactorily shown (which I believe in most cases it can be) that having them congregate (and if there are several on the flight, then if you let one do it, they're all gonna have to do it) at the back of the aircraft will most probably either interfere with crewmember duties or disrupt normal passenger activity. If the flight has encountered turbulence already and the Captain can reasonably expect to encounter more then it increases the chances of injury if turbulence is encountered while they are praying. I would NOT bring up any political references to the "current times". That can only be inflammatory and make a sensitive situation worse. The key to the whole thing is to be sensitive, sympathetic, and smile but gently tell them that it is not going to possible on today's flight. That way they are not justified by calling you names or getting upset.

Ray

H46Bubba · November 10th, 2003, 07:30

I would tell the FA that I sympothize with their want to pray, but due to safety factors, it would not be permissible. They could be a hinderance incase of an inflight emergency, a hinderance to the FA's doing their duties and, and they could possibly get injured if any unexpected turbulence were to arrise.
You're the captain. You're resposible for the plane, the crew and everything onboard. If something were to happen, it's your a$$!

naunga · November 10th, 2003, 08:44

I would say no. I wouldn't bring up any issues other than safety and "FAA Regs".

My reasoning would be this:

1. Regardless of what I know or don't know about Isalm I would find it hard to believe that every Muslim everywhere is able to pray at the appropriate time. I would be thinking about the guy stuck in traffic, the guy in the elevator that's stopping at all 30 floors on the way down, etc. It would stand to reason that there would be some flexibility in that requirement.

2. Americans being the paranoid sheep that they are I would fear for their safety. If they were to stand up, take their bags down and walk to the back of the plane. I'd worry that some cowboy would jump them and start pounding the crap out of the "hijackers". Then I've got a situation to deal with.

3. You might get someone who runs off the plane and tells the first cop that "a bunch of them Muslims were acting really weird on the plane." Then all of the sudden a couple of guys who were just trying to pry are sitting in some dark room being held under the Patriot Act. Again not good for them.

4. The worst case scenario is that they truly are hijackers and this is a tatic to mobilize on the plane. So no. The only place they're going is the lav and they're not taking anything with them.

If after the FA gives them the bad news they make a scene. I would have her refer them to the agent at the gate when we arrive and then the "Fasten Seat Belt Sign" goes on.

In the back of my mind, however, I would be thinking that this might be a ploy to attempt to take control of the plane. Given that I would, under no circumstances leave the cockpit.

Those are my thoughts...hey Doug what would you do?

Naunga

pilot602 · November 10th, 2003, 09:01

I'd simply say no and not even give a reason beyond "I said so."

(For you guys I'll explain): Passengers should be in their seats with their belts fastened - regardless of what the FARs say - and to have people on their knees (not belted in), blocking an ailse is an unsafe condition. I could give one ##### about needing to pray, or if they were back there doing step aerobics I'm not opening myself, or the company, up to liability by allowing them to crawl around on the floor.

Say it was a mother wanting to let her child crawl around for "excercise" or a couple of teenagers who just wanted to hang out back there would you let those folks do those things?

To hell with "current affairs" it's a safety of flight issue. People should be in their seats, getting leg cramps and bitching about the peanuts - not crawling around on the floor of the airplane.

TheWife · November 10th, 2003, 09:05

[ QUOTE ]
I'd simply say no and not even give a reason beyond "I said so."

[/ QUOTE ] Oh man, bad child hood flashbacks.

JK

Kristie · November 10th, 2003, 12:00

well, i'm kinda wondering what the harm is? and if there's any liability to the company if they're in prayer and some unknown turbulence comes up and they go flying...

when your on a long flight, it's natural to want to get up, stretch and move around some - i wouldn't have a problem if kids are walking around, teenie boppers hanging out in back or people praying as long as they don't block up the hallway and block the F/A route... but i'm also not sure what the actual regulations are on how long/often people can get up/stay up out of their seats and what happens with the liability it causes...

ready2fly · November 10th, 2003, 12:41

I'd have to say "no" for liability reasons.

Which pretty much echo's this: [ QUOTE ]
Passengers should be in their seats with their belts fastened - regardless of what the FARs say - and to have people on their knees (not belted in), blocking an ailse is an unsafe condition. I could give one ##### about needing to pray, or if they were back there doing step aerobics I'm not opening myself, or the company, up to liability by allowing them to crawl around on the floor.

[/ QUOTE ]

If an individual is granted express permission by the Captain of an aircraft to be out of their seat, unstrapped, for any length of time - and something occurs in which that individual (or anyone else) is injured - it is almost inevitible in todays litigious society, that that (those) individual(s) would come after my employer.

People can pray from their seats just as well as they can from their knees.

MikeD · November 10th, 2003, 15:44

[ QUOTE ]
I'd simply say no and not even give a reason beyond "I said so."

[/ QUOTE ]

Disagree, 602. I'd do it more diplomatically if I were you...........

Tell them that, while they're onboard the plane, for all intents and purposes, Allah is sitting in the left cockpit seat as far as they're concerned............

n2o2diver · November 10th, 2003, 18:47

NO!
I am the captain and I said so!

Doug Taylor · November 10th, 2003, 18:53

Hey Mike, so I'll say, "Akbar, Mohammed? My Turkish-Iranian captain says he's Allah and that you can't do it!"

That'd be pretty fun to watch!

CLR4ILS · November 10th, 2003, 22:08

[ QUOTE ]
Let them pray if it doesn't interfere with anyone else (ie, slow down the beverage service, block lavs, etc.)

Chunk

[/ QUOTE ]

Chunk just wants his beverage and peanuts...and hurry it up!

ILS

CLR4ILS · November 10th, 2003, 22:20

Hey Doug,
I know this is off the subject but have you considered a forum strictly about aviation interview questions? All of us aspiring pilots could make an educated guess and you could supply the real answer later down the road (if we were incorrect). The airlines names could be left out to keep your liability low....ILS

pilot602 · November 11th, 2003, 08:16

[ QUOTE ]
Disagree, 602. I'd do it more diplomatically if I were you...........

[/ QUOTE ]

I thought I was being diplomatic. My first response was to leave the cockpit, go to the back and administer my patented "WTF are you thinking-2"x4" over the head-repeat-as-neccessary," answer

ShoreFly · November 12th, 2003, 17:10

"Ummm, I think we're about to hit some chop, seat belt light's coming on!"

Why?
At the present state of public opinion, I think it would raise too many eyebrows in the cabin. They can wait until they're on the ground to pray if they want to be discrete.

CRoper · November 12th, 2003, 20:34

If I were in the left seat, I think I would look in the Airline Policy Manual and find the closest match in policy that applies to this situation. There is probably not going to be an exact remedy for this exact situation in writing, (I don't think an airline would risk possible bad publicity over possibly discriminitory policies) so I would find the section that prescribes the policy on passengers out of their seats. Hopefully there is a little guidance in there to base my decision off of. I would tend to probably try and find a way to say no, but I would want to have airline policy backing my decision. Basically I just want to cover my own ass with company policy....

So if there is litigation or bad press as a result of my decision, I still would have made the right decision.

mrivc211 · November 16th, 2003, 23:56

Dude, funny story time,
My dad was flying BACK and I mean BACk in the days, in some kinda multi engine DC-3? as a FO. It was in the 70's, I think. Anyways, the story goes like this, everything was going normal on the flight, after a while I guess the engine caught fire and the next thing they know the stewardess(used to call em that in those days) comes running in the cockpit with the Koran in her hand saying, "Captain Captain, the plane is on fire, here is the Koran, will you pray for the people?" My dad said, the next thing that happend was the Captain let out the loudest senetence of profanity there was at the stewardess. It went something like, You Go* Dam* son of a Bitc*, get that dam* book out of my sight before I stick it up your go* Dam* *ussy. It looses A LOT of its funny side in its translation. I guess he was pissed because instead of taking care of the passengers she comes running in the cockpit thinking the plane will be somehow saved by reading the book out loud. Its more funny when my dad tells the story. Ahahahah.

Don't get me started on whats going on at Kabul airport where he's flying in right now. We'll have to save that story for next years fly in!

flyguy · November 17th, 2003, 08:16

[ QUOTE ]
in some kinda multi engine DC-3?

[/ QUOTE ]
As opposed to a single engine DC-3?

Sorry, couldn't resist.

Minuteman · December 1st, 2003, 13:38

From today's newsletter:
[ QUOTE ]
Prayers to Mecca Delay Flight Take-off

A British Airways flight was delayed after a group of passengers began praying to Mecca and worried crew members contacted police, Scotland Yard said today.

Flight BA676 from London Heathrow to Istanbul was taxiing to a runway for take-off yesterday morning when the group started to pray.

Worried passengers brought it to the attention of cabin crew, who called the police.

A Scotland Yard spokesman said: “Police were called at 11.07am yesterday to a BA flight which was due to take off for Istanbul.

“The crew had reported to police that a group of passengers had been acting suspiciously.

“The police attended, conducted checks on the passengers and were satisfied that everything was ok. The flight was then allowed to take off.”

The Sun newspaper said the five were travelling to Turkey for a family funeral.

The flight took off two-and-a-half hours late.
http://www.news.scotsman.com/latest.cfm?id=2243790

[/ QUOTE ]

naunga · December 1st, 2003, 14:21

See...

That's what I like about the British.

They get ##### done. Political correctness be damned!!

That's the way we should be!

Naunga

pilotjww · January 14th, 2004, 06:21

Anyone know how Saudi Air deals with this? I flew Saudi Air many years back, and I dont recall any different open floor space for prayer rugs. I do remember their flight magazine (English version) had an ad for a little world travel clock that would always give you the time in Mecca, and in which direction to pray.

stalled · January 22nd, 2004, 18:53

since religion seems to be the common problem for wars these days and pretty much through out time, i would have to say no... can they even bring a personal item like that on board?

sigmanu499 · May 14th, 2004, 15:01

Tell them you have a nice patio(wings) on both sides of the aircraft for they to pray. Thats what SWA tells the smokers.

November 9th, 2003, 22:56	#26
tonyw Old Skool Join Date: May 2002 Location: Maryland Posts: 15,158	Re: Late night flight with a strange request... Have we left the ground yet? If we haven't, then I would go back and talk to them. I'd tell them, look, guys, I respect your religious beliefs, and believe that you have every right to them. But there are some people on this plane, who, given the current state of tensions, may not be understanding. I am going to ask you to please refrain from doing this on the plane in order to put everyone at ease. Most people are reasonable. They may not be happy about it, but most people will probably go along with it.

November 10th, 2003, 00:54	#27
TheWife Old Skool Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Utah Posts: 4,180	Re: Late night flight with a strange request... I don't think that the "current state of tensions" should be brought up at all, then you are making it an issue when it might not have been. Planes can be scary. If you are religious you really might need to pray for the sake of feeling peaceful. If I needed to I could do it in my seat. But they do it differently. If it was me, I'd want to know if there was enough room on the floor that they could be there, and still have an FA be able to walk around them and not be blocking the lav to the other passengers. Could they do it one at a time to take up less space? How long will they need? If it's 2 minutes, that's probably not a big deal. If it's 20, that is a big deal. I don't think that other passengers feelings or concerns should really be a factor. Some people are so ridiculous that they don't even want to be on a flight with muslims. Some people don't want to be on a flight with kids. Some people don't want to sit next to an old chatty person. Unless you can afford a private jet, you as a passenger, have an obligation to just be a civil and decent person and not cause any problems. The last plane I was on, I had to spend some time on the floor of the lav to change a diaper. It's not easy, and I felt very unstable. I'd imagine it's worse in the more open area, so I would warn them that they might get hurt if they are on the floor while there is turbulance. But I certainly would not tell them that they can't because it would make others uncomfortable. That does bring up the question though, if the pilot did say it was ok, and they did get hurt, with or without being warned, could they hold the pilot or airline responsible, as it is "the pilots duty to ensure safety."??

November 10th, 2003, 06:50	#28
shooter13 Old Skool Join Date: May 2002 Location: South Carolina Posts: 1,952	Re: Late night flight with a strange request... Just turn on the fasten seatbelt sign due to "turbulence" and forget about it. The FA can tell them that the Captain is all for it but becuase of predicted turbulence, everyone must be in their seat for safety sake.

November 10th, 2003, 07:06	#29
raysalmon Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: CO Posts: 260	Re: Late night flight with a strange request... I had many friends at school that were Muslim and had the whole prayer five times a day thing going on. Sometimes class time would interfere with some of the prayer times during the day. I asked them about what happened if they couldn't pray right on time, and they said that the Koran says that they should try to do it at the specified time, but if not possible then as soon afterwards as possible. In other words, Allah does provide some leniency in his schedule. If it can be satisfactorily shown (which I believe in most cases it can be) that having them congregate (and if there are several on the flight, then if you let one do it, they're all gonna have to do it) at the back of the aircraft will most probably either interfere with crewmember duties or disrupt normal passenger activity. If the flight has encountered turbulence already and the Captain can reasonably expect to encounter more then it increases the chances of injury if turbulence is encountered while they are praying. I would NOT bring up any political references to the "current times". That can only be inflammatory and make a sensitive situation worse. The key to the whole thing is to be sensitive, sympathetic, and smile but gently tell them that it is not going to possible on today's flight. That way they are not justified by calling you names or getting upset. Ray

November 10th, 2003, 07:30	#30
H46Bubba Old Skool Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: CVG Posts: 4,094	Re: Late night flight with a strange request... I would tell the FA that I sympothize with their want to pray, but due to safety factors, it would not be permissible. They could be a hinderance incase of an inflight emergency, a hinderance to the FA's doing their duties and, and they could possibly get injured if any unexpected turbulence were to arrise. You're the captain. You're resposible for the plane, the crew and everything onboard. If something were to happen, it's your a$$!

November 10th, 2003, 08:44	#31
naunga Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: McDonough, GA Posts: 981	Re: Late night flight with a strange request... I would say no. I wouldn't bring up any issues other than safety and "FAA Regs". My reasoning would be this: 1. Regardless of what I know or don't know about Isalm I would find it hard to believe that every Muslim everywhere is able to pray at the appropriate time. I would be thinking about the guy stuck in traffic, the guy in the elevator that's stopping at all 30 floors on the way down, etc. It would stand to reason that there would be some flexibility in that requirement. 2. Americans being the paranoid sheep that they are I would fear for their safety. If they were to stand up, take their bags down and walk to the back of the plane. I'd worry that some cowboy would jump them and start pounding the crap out of the "hijackers". Then I've got a situation to deal with. 3. You might get someone who runs off the plane and tells the first cop that "a bunch of them Muslims were acting really weird on the plane." Then all of the sudden a couple of guys who were just trying to pry are sitting in some dark room being held under the Patriot Act. Again not good for them. 4. The worst case scenario is that they truly are hijackers and this is a tatic to mobilize on the plane. So no. The only place they're going is the lav and they're not taking anything with them. If after the FA gives them the bad news they make a scene. I would have her refer them to the agent at the gate when we arrive and then the "Fasten Seat Belt Sign" goes on. In the back of my mind, however, I would be thinking that this might be a ploy to attempt to take control of the plane. Given that I would, under no circumstances leave the cockpit. Those are my thoughts...hey Doug what would you do? Naunga

November 10th, 2003, 09:01	#32
pilot602 Old Skool Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: who haa Posts: 3,750	Re: Late night flight with a strange request... I'd simply say no and not even give a reason beyond "I said so." (For you guys I'll explain): Passengers should be in their seats with their belts fastened - regardless of what the FARs say - and to have people on their knees (not belted in), blocking an ailse is an unsafe condition. I could give one ##### about needing to pray, or if they were back there doing step aerobics I'm not opening myself, or the company, up to liability by allowing them to crawl around on the floor. Say it was a mother wanting to let her child crawl around for "excercise" or a couple of teenagers who just wanted to hang out back there would you let those folks do those things? To hell with "current affairs" it's a safety of flight issue. People should be in their seats, getting leg cramps and bitching about the peanuts - not crawling around on the floor of the airplane.

November 10th, 2003, 09:05	#33
TheWife Old Skool Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Utah Posts: 4,180	Re: Late night flight with a strange request... [ QUOTE ] I'd simply say no and not even give a reason beyond "I said so." [/ QUOTE ] Oh man, bad child hood flashbacks. JK

November 10th, 2003, 12:00	#34
Kristie Big Chief's Woman Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Scottsdale, Arizona Posts: 17,699 Blog Entries: 3	Re: Late night flight with a strange request... well, i'm kinda wondering what the harm is? and if there's any liability to the company if they're in prayer and some unknown turbulence comes up and they go flying... when your on a long flight, it's natural to want to get up, stretch and move around some - i wouldn't have a problem if kids are walking around, teenie boppers hanging out in back or people praying as long as they don't block up the hallway and block the F/A route... but i'm also not sure what the actual regulations are on how long/often people can get up/stay up out of their seats and what happens with the liability it causes...

November 10th, 2003, 12:41	#35
ready2fly Old Skool Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: DFW Posts: 7,080	Re: Late night flight with a strange request... I'd have to say "no" for liability reasons. Which pretty much echo's this: [ QUOTE ] Passengers should be in their seats with their belts fastened - regardless of what the FARs say - and to have people on their knees (not belted in), blocking an ailse is an unsafe condition. I could give one ##### about needing to pray, or if they were back there doing step aerobics I'm not opening myself, or the company, up to liability by allowing them to crawl around on the floor. [/ QUOTE ] If an individual is granted express permission by the Captain of an aircraft to be out of their seat, unstrapped, for any length of time - and something occurs in which that individual (or anyone else) is injured - it is almost inevitible in todays litigious society, that that (those) individual(s) would come after my employer. People can pray from their seats just as well as they can from their knees.

November 10th, 2003, 15:44	#36
MikeD Administrator Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Pinal Airpark Posts: 6,897	Re: Late night flight with a strange request... [ QUOTE ] I'd simply say no and not even give a reason beyond "I said so." [/ QUOTE ] Disagree, 602. I'd do it more diplomatically if I were you........... Tell them that, while they're onboard the plane, for all intents and purposes, Allah is sitting in the left cockpit seat as far as they're concerned............

November 10th, 2003, 18:47	#37
n2o2diver Junior Member Join Date: May 2002 Location: Livin the Dream Posts: 220	Re: Late night flight with a strange request... NO! I am the captain and I said so!

November 10th, 2003, 18:53	#38
Doug Taylor Agent Smith Join Date: Dec 1969 Location: KSDL Posts: 39,819 Blog Entries: 1	Re: Late night flight with a strange request... Hey Mike, so I'll say, "Akbar, Mohammed? My Turkish-Iranian captain says he's Allah and that you can't do it!" That'd be pretty fun to watch!

November 10th, 2003, 22:08	#39
CLR4ILS Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Scottsdale, Arizona Posts: 577	Re: Late night flight with a strange request... [ QUOTE ] Let them pray if it doesn't interfere with anyone else (ie, slow down the beverage service, block lavs, etc.) Chunk [/ QUOTE ] Chunk just wants his beverage and peanuts...and hurry it up! ILS

November 10th, 2003, 22:20	#40
CLR4ILS Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Scottsdale, Arizona Posts: 577	Re: Late night flight with a strange request... Hey Doug, I know this is off the subject but have you considered a forum strictly about aviation interview questions? All of us aspiring pilots could make an educated guess and you could supply the real answer later down the road (if we were incorrect). The airlines names could be left out to keep your liability low....ILS

November 11th, 2003, 08:16	#41
pilot602 Old Skool Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: who haa Posts: 3,750	Re: Late night flight with a strange request... [ QUOTE ] Disagree, 602. I'd do it more diplomatically if I were you........... [/ QUOTE ] I thought I was being diplomatic. My first response was to leave the cockpit, go to the back and administer my patented "WTF are you thinking-2"x4" over the head-repeat-as-neccessary," answer

November 12th, 2003, 17:10	#42
ShoreFly Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: EWR Posts: 162	Re: Late night flight with a strange request... "Ummm, I think we're about to hit some chop, seat belt light's coming on!" Why? At the present state of public opinion, I think it would raise too many eyebrows in the cabin. They can wait until they're on the ground to pray if they want to be discrete.

November 12th, 2003, 20:34	#43
CRoper Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Utah Posts: 148	Re: Late night flight with a strange request... If I were in the left seat, I think I would look in the Airline Policy Manual and find the closest match in policy that applies to this situation. There is probably not going to be an exact remedy for this exact situation in writing, (I don't think an airline would risk possible bad publicity over possibly discriminitory policies) so I would find the section that prescribes the policy on passengers out of their seats. Hopefully there is a little guidance in there to base my decision off of. I would tend to probably try and find a way to say no, but I would want to have airline policy backing my decision. Basically I just want to cover my own ass with company policy.... So if there is litigation or bad press as a result of my decision, I still would have made the right decision.

November 16th, 2003, 23:56	#44
mrivc211 Old Skool Join Date: Sep 2000 Posts: 2,005	Re: Late night flight with a strange request... Dude, funny story time, My dad was flying BACK and I mean BACk in the days, in some kinda multi engine DC-3? as a FO. It was in the 70's, I think. Anyways, the story goes like this, everything was going normal on the flight, after a while I guess the engine caught fire and the next thing they know the stewardess(used to call em that in those days) comes running in the cockpit with the Koran in her hand saying, "Captain Captain, the plane is on fire, here is the Koran, will you pray for the people?" My dad said, the next thing that happend was the Captain let out the loudest senetence of profanity there was at the stewardess. It went something like, You Go* Dam* son of a Bitc, get that dam book out of my sight before I stick it up your go* Dam* *ussy. It looses A LOT of its funny side in its translation. I guess he was pissed because instead of taking care of the passengers she comes running in the cockpit thinking the plane will be somehow saved by reading the book out loud. Its more funny when my dad tells the story. Ahahahah. Don't get me started on whats going on at Kabul airport where he's flying in right now. We'll have to save that story for next years fly in!

November 17th, 2003, 08:16	#45
flyguy Old Skool Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Denver, CO Posts: 2,071	Re: Late night flight with a strange request... [ QUOTE ] in some kinda multi engine DC-3? [/ QUOTE ] As opposed to a single engine DC-3? Sorry, couldn't resist.

December 1st, 2003, 13:38	#46
Minuteman Senior Member Join Date: May 2003 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 1,405 Blog Entries: 1	Re: Late night flight with a strange request... From today's newsletter: [ QUOTE ] Prayers to Mecca Delay Flight Take-off A British Airways flight was delayed after a group of passengers began praying to Mecca and worried crew members contacted police, Scotland Yard said today. Flight BA676 from London Heathrow to Istanbul was taxiing to a runway for take-off yesterday morning when the group started to pray. Worried passengers brought it to the attention of cabin crew, who called the police. A Scotland Yard spokesman said: “Police were called at 11.07am yesterday to a BA flight which was due to take off for Istanbul. “The crew had reported to police that a group of passengers had been acting suspiciously. “The police attended, conducted checks on the passengers and were satisfied that everything was ok. The flight was then allowed to take off.” The Sun newspaper said the five were travelling to Turkey for a family funeral. The flight took off two-and-a-half hours late. http://www.news.scotsman.com/latest.cfm?id=2243790 [/ QUOTE ]

December 1st, 2003, 14:21	#47
naunga Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: McDonough, GA Posts: 981	Re: Late night flight with a strange request... See... That's what I like about the British. They get ##### done. Political correctness be damned!! That's the way we should be! Naunga

January 14th, 2004, 06:21	#48
pilotjww Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Chicago area Posts: 104	Re: Late night flight with a strange request... Anyone know how Saudi Air deals with this? I flew Saudi Air many years back, and I dont recall any different open floor space for prayer rugs. I do remember their flight magazine (English version) had an ad for a little world travel clock that would always give you the time in Mecca, and in which direction to pray.

January 22nd, 2004, 18:53	#49
stalled Newbie Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: the south Posts: 25	Re: Late night flight with a strange request... since religion seems to be the common problem for wars these days and pretty much through out time, i would have to say no... can they even bring a personal item like that on board?

May 14th, 2004, 15:01	#50
sigmanu499 Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 232	Re: Late night flight with a strange request... Tell them you have a nice patio(wings) on both sides of the aircraft for they to pray. Thats what SWA tells the smokers.

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