Kate2

Although the term Flight Attendant was a big issue in the early days of political correctness, many FAs don't mind much if you call them a Stewardess (except the guys...

From WorldNet Dictionary:

Noun 1. flight attendant - an attendant on an airplane
Synonyms: steward

Related Words
air hostess, attendant, attender, hostess, steward, stewardess,

Back to my question:
Spygirl, being a stewardess, how do you feel about Air Marshalls?

cigalechanta

I have to agree with Spygirl that people are getting paranoid(thanks to B.) I've seen so many people hurt emotionally since 9/11. because of their looks or religious garb.
Not many of you may remember that during world war two, my grandparents and other Italians living here as well as Japaneese Americans were interred.
Tho Roosevelt said not to worry about the Italians, they are all Opera singers.

TopMan

What does airline security have to do with how a flight attendant, or stewardess, or anyone lese "feels" about air marshalls?

Spygirl

I repeat: there is no terminology in the Federal Aviation Regulations regarding "steward" or "stewardess" google or Yahoo the term-and you will see references to the 60's-indeed, because it is an anachronism of that time period. The FARs refer to "flight-attendant" and this non-sexist term describes both male and female duties. F/As are regulated by the FAA as to their responsibilities and training.

And Kate2-since you pronounce with such authority that F/As don't mind "much" that they are called "stewardess" then you must certainly greater have insight than I on the matter, no?

Spygirl

the last post should read: "have greater insight than I"


Cigale: I think I said that a little paranoia is NOT a bad thing-because one must always stay alert and aware of what is going on around one in the aviation environment as well as when traveling in other modes of transportation.

cigalechanta

d'accord

Spygirl

Buckeyemom-I just saw your post-and I'm afraid I don't understand-re the watch lists. All 14 Syrian pax were run through EVERY CONCEIVEABLE FEDERAL WATCHLIST- and there were no returns.

buckeyemom

Exactly, my point they are UNDER the radar.

As to your comment about them walking around the aircraft...without cutting and pasting the Times article, it clearly states they were walking around WHEN the flight attendants were strapped into their seats for landing, seat belt sign was on. That is in violation of FAA regs...

buckeyemom

The guy that was arrested for trying to blow up a mall here in Columbus, Ohio was NOT on any watch lists either..Get a life.

Spygirl

Buckeyemom-I'm not going to argue with you on the point about what the 14 Syrians were doing on the latter half of the flight-but I do know they were neither standing nor walking around after being told to go to their seats-and as for standing and walking around when the seat belt sign is on-surely you have done that from time to time? It's one thing to do it during the flight-it's quite another to be doing it when the plane is in preparation for landing-and the 14 Syrians were absolutely not up in the aisles after being told to take their seats.

And Buckeye, you don't come into this country on a special visa like the 14 Syrians were and be "under the radar." And do you also think that no one in the USG is thinking about the "under the radar" issue? Are you the only one to have figured that out, or come up with that angle? I can assure you you are not. If you've been paying attention to the news, that's what the new CAPPS II technology is all about-being able to detect those would-be attackers that might be living "below the radar."

lenleigh

No, they were just shoving people out of the way to get into the bathroom first (according to Jacobson on Scarborough last night). All this arguing about what did or did not happen on that flight is all speculation from a bunch of people that weren't on the flight. More people have come forward saying they too feared for their lives (can't say they were overreacting because again I wasn't on that flight). Everyone that I've seen interviewed are aware of the situation from FLIGHT ATTENDANTS, to Air Marshals to the FBI and have agreed that the behavior seemed suspicious regardless of anything having happened. I just question why a journalist that writes for womens wallstreet (which I've never been on before this story came out) would just make up or overfictionalize some story for no reason.

Spygirl, you should try out for the CIA. Apparently you know a lot that most of us average citizens don't.

zelien

Like everyone else, I am trying to work through the facts and speculations surrounding this issue and come to a rational conclusion. Two questions keep sticking in my mind:

1. If there were no "incident," as the FAMs appear to be saying, why were these 14 gentlemen met at their arrival point by the LAPD? Someone important must have suspected something. Most authorities I know would not act so aggressively on the whim of a neurotic woman.

2. It was reported that these men made no mention of this ordeal at the hotel where they were staying. It would seem that they would be, at best, furious and take their case to the papers or write letters of indignation. Or, at least, amused, as was a Syrian acquaintance with a pilot's license who was questioned by the FBI shortly after 9/11. He talked about it at work for weeks afterward.

Perhaps these issues have been addressed already and I have missed them. If so, I apologize.

Kay2

Actually, I've been on several flights around the world where people stood and walked around during final descent and landing. In China, the FAs had to continually shout and physically show people to their seats during final descent and people were up and in the aisles before wheels touched down. On a recent flight from Milan to Atlanta, as soon as the FA announced to be seated for landing and strapped themselves in, an older Indian? couple who had been up and down throughout the flight slowly stood and made their way to the lavatory. Perhaps others have seen what we would not allow in the US on airlines in other countries?

Clifton

You know, I tend to agree with Spygirl, and it's certainly not because I want to praise the current admin. Trust me on that.

But how many lives have been lost in the last 10 yrs or so due to the presence of items that airport security let through? Granted, they screwed up with the shoe bomb, no doubt there. But I still don't know of any cases where contraband has made it through and cost lives. That's a pretty fair track record.

(Yes, I know.... but box cutters weren't illegal to take on planes at that time. It wasn't security at fault, it was the regs at that time that allowed them. And a public that had been taught to always cooperate in these sorts of situations)

Personally, I just don't see that happening again.

caribtraveler

I am also trying to work out facts from fiction. Joe Sharkey in the NY Times says the men were questioned. Steve Emerson says on Scarborough that they were not. Ugh.
Bottom line, people are different so they react differently to the same situation. How many other people were on the flight besides Jacobsen? Did they ALL feel the same way she did? That's what I'd like to know.
None of us were on that plane so who knows what REALLY happened OR how each one of us would have interpreted what REALLY happened?
The fact is that there were over 12 Middle Eastern men on one plane and post-9/11, I CANNOT imagine that the airline and the govt. were not keeping an eye on them since they stepped foot in this country (whether on a watch list or not). Let's not be naive and not believe profiling is happening. So I'll go with Joe Sharkey on this one that they were questioned because if I go with Emerson then we in the U.S. are in big trouble security-wise.

Zelien: With all due respect, I would hope that the govt. would react whenever ANYONE reports something that troubles them. I'm not crazy about your use of the word "agressively". To me, "agressively" means handcuffing the men as soon as they stepped off the plane and holding them for weeks without counsel or without charging them with something. I think they reacted to a report, period. How could they not after what happened on 9/11?

Buckeyemom: It's one thing to disagree with Spygirl but it's another to suggest she's been drinking or to tell her to get a life. Argue your points but why take it to that level? This is all a valid discussion.

p.s.: I've been on several flights since 9/11. I don't remember a flight attendant ever saying no lines for the front lavatory (although I've read it somewhere that it was done). Nowadays, the seatbelt sign is on during most flights and people still get up to go to the bathroom and what-not.

MelissaBeckoff

I have just returned from out western adventure and on all four flights the flight attendants would not allow anybody to stand and wait for the front bathroom. they had to wait in their seats or go to the back


MELISSA

easytraveler

Morale of the story: If you're in a hurry, don't go to the restroom at the front of the plane!

Craig

Congratulations, Spygirl. You have been rewarded for your persistence in reposting after being deleted twice with 37 replies on this thread.

caribtraveler

New story on air marshals
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/5592651/

zelien

caribtraveler: I retract my use of the word "aggressively." What I was trying to express was the idea that the authorities do not generally respond in such a manner unless they feel they have a valid reason to do so. But I admit, I am not well-traveled enough to be enlightened on that subject. That is what I am trying to ascertain.