AIRLINER'S TEFILLIN INCIDENT PROVES THE NEED FOR PROFILING

HERE'S HOW THE STORY FIRST APPEARED:

Flight From La Guardia Rerouted to Philadelphia:

Updated, 10:24 a.m. | A US Airways flight from La Guardia Airport to Louisville was forced to make an unscheduled landing in Philadelphia this morning because of what the authorities called a “disruptive passenger.” There were no reported injuries, and nothing suspicious was found on the plane, an official with the Transportation Security Administration said.

The official said the passenger had “religious beads” but would not elaborate other than to say, “It’s turned out to be a non-threat.”

The plane, Flight 3079, took off from La Guardia at 7:50 a.m. At 8:30, officials said, the pilot notified the authorities of the disruptive passenger. The plane landed at Philadelphia International Airport at 8:50. The crew and passengers deplaned and were in the terminal by 9:40 a.m., officials said
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Flight Diverted to Philly for Disruptive Passenger:

By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Published: January 21, 2010

Filed at 10:22 a.m. ET

PHILADELPHIA (AP) -- Transportation security officials say a US Airways flight has been diverted to Philadelphia International Airport because of a disruptive passenger.

US Airways Express Flight 3079 took off Thursday from La Guardia airport in New York bound for Louisville, Ky. It landed without incident in Philadelphia around 9 a.m.

A statement from the Transportation Security Administration says the passenger is being interviewed.

US Airways spokesman Morgan Durrant says all other travelers on the 50-seat regional jet have deplaned and are being rebooked on other flights.

Airport spokesman Mark Pesce says the airport remains open and fully operational.

Calls to Philadelphia police and the FBI were not immediately returned.

HERE'S WHAT BECAME KNOWN A LTTLE LATER:

A US Airways flight was diverted to Philadelphia after a young Jewish man's prayer items triggered a bomb scare, Philadelphia police said.

The incident arose when the man used a phylactery, a small black box Orthodox Jews strap to their head as part of their rituals, police said.

The man was not arrested and the plane landed without incident.

US airports are on high alert after a Nigerian man was held over an alleged bomb plot on a plane last month.

His device allegedly malfunctioned and he was quickly overpowered by passengers and crew on the flight from Amsterdam to Detroit.

The latest incident took place on a 50-seat regional jet originally bound for Louisville, Kentucky from New York's LaGuardia airport. It landed in Philadelphia at about 0900 local time (1400 GMT).

Phylacteries - called tefillin in Hebrew - are two small boxes, usually made of black leather, with straps attached to them.

Observant Jewish men are required to place one box on their head and tie the other one on their arm as part of their morning prayers.

THE FLIGHT ATTENDANTS AND FLIGHT MARSHALS SHOULD HAVE KNOWN THESE KIDS WERE JEWS FROM WESTCHESTER AND KNOWN THERE COULD NOT HAVE BEEN ANY REAL THREAT.

BUT BECAUSE THESE FACTS ABOUT THE PASSENGERS WERE NOT KNOWN, THEY WERE DEEMED A THREAT - ALBEIT FOR ONLY A SHORT TIME - - - BUT LONG ENOUGH TO DIVERT THE JET!!!

WE SHOULD NOT TREAT ALL PASSENGERS AS POTENTIAL THREATS: IT'S INSANE.

• JUST BECAUSE A PASSENGER DOES SOMETHING A LITTLE WEIRD DOESN'T MAKE THEM A THREAT.

• BUT MUSLIM MEN BEHAVING WEIRDLY ON A JET ARE A REAL POTENTIAL THREAT.

• ACCEPTING REALITY WILL MAKE US SAFER - AND REDUCE UNNECESSARY THINGS, LIKE THIS JET'S DIVERSION TO PHILLY.

IT'S LONG PASSED TIME THE LEFT GREW UP AND ACCEPTED THIS.