I don’t think Bill diamond will be flying American Airlines any time in the near future. Particularly not after a flight attendant on his trip from Pittsburgh to Chicago decided his cane was, in fact, some kind of threat to airline security and promptly asked him to surrender it.
Now, whether or not you agree with how he handled himself during the afair, it’s a no-brainer this shouldn’t have even come up. Especially given the thing was folded when he boarded–after being taken, I’ll add, to the plane in a wheelchair. I’m not even going to get into the whole issue of his being told to hand over his cane under threat of arrest. Well, except to say um, hell no.
A little note to American Airlines. He’s not carrying a weapon. He’s not carrying something that any sane/reasonable person would determine to be a weapon. And it sure as hell wasn’t potentially explosive. It was a tool for mobility, and whether or not he could get around without it–apparently, this one couldn’t according to the article–you don’t get to decide whether or not he has the option. But, thanks for trying. Next time, try a little harder.
8 responses to “Note to american Airlines: It’s a cane, not an explosive.”
Interesting story. I don’t fly often, but I am always curious if the airline or TSA will question my cane as a weapon. I would also wonder why my dog isn’t questioned as a weapon, or the metal chain on the end of a several foot long leather leash.
Actually, a few years ago, when I was walking across the U.S. Canada border in St. Stephen New Brunswick, a Canadian border guard asked me what I had in my hand. My cane was folded and hanging around my wrist at the time. His words, and I quote: “Is that nunchucks or something?”. I will leave you with that thought to ponder…
I worry about the inteligence of future citizens. Of both countries. This is why.
You mention sane/reasonable people. You have to remember when reading things like this that there aren’t many of those at the airlines, and the one’s there are have no power to do anything.
I think homeboy’s quotes were a little over the top, he sounds sort of nutty. But his sentiment I do agree with, this is ridiculous.
Just one of many reasons why I have no desire to fly anywhere.
Yeah, he definitely could have handled it a little better. There’s no denying that. But he really shouldn’t have needed to handle it at all.
Also: I’ve actually heard a lot of cases–at least on this side of the border, anyway–of airlines actually being sane/reasonable. Surprisingly, or maybe not, it’s the country with the federally enacted disability legislation you usually hear all the crap coming out of.
It’s true, I’ve heard the same thing. I just hope that remains the case, what with our government’s willingness to bend over and take pretty much whatever America wants us to.
Ah, but see, now you’re hitting on a core part of our history. I mean, when have we not done that?
When have we not done that? Well…1812 comes to mind, but we weren’t even officially a country yet.
Ah, but they’ve been trying to convince us to since long before that. George Washington, at least.