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THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2009
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Airline Apologizes to Muslims Kicked Off Flight

Family blame racial profiling; Muslim group plans to file complaint

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(Newser) – A Muslim American family booted from a New Year's Day flight for allegedly making suspicious remarks has received an apology from AirTran, the Washington Post reports. The family was removed and interrogated after a pair of teenage girls heard two of them discussing which seats on an aircraft were safest and raised the alarm. AirTran apologized for the misunderstanding but said the steps taken were necessary.

The family blames racial profiling for the incident and a Muslim group plans to file a discrimination complaint. "We are Muslim-Americans and we fly a lot. So we understand there is a lot of scrutiny on us in the first place," one family member said. "But, we consider ourselves to be model citizens. It was appalling to know that this type of stuff can happen to you." AirTran—which refused to rebook the family members afterward—has now offered them refunds and a free flight home.

A Muslim family was removed from a flight at Washington's Reagan National Airport after passengers misconstrued a comment one of them made about airplane safety.
A Muslim family was removed from a flight at Washington's Reagan National Airport after passengers misconstrued a comment one of them made about airplane safety.   (Shutterstock)
AirTran has apologized for the misunderstanding and for the delays to their travel suffered by all the flight's passengers.
AirTran has apologized for the misunderstanding and for the delays to their travel suffered by all the flight's passengers.   (©wbaiv)
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A Muslim family is removed from a flight when passengers become concerned about their conversation, WJLA reports.   (CNN Video)

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The conversation we were having was the conversation anyone would have. She did not use the word 'bomb,' she did not use the word 'explosion.'
- Atif Irfa, a passenger removed
from the flight

There is a big difference between 'see something, say something,' which we all support, and reporting suspicions based solely on stereotyping and bias. - Nihad Awad, executive director of the Council on American-Islamic Relations

It was a very lighthearted conversation about the safest spot of the plane. But, I guess, these two teenage girls had gleaned from our conversation that we were going to try and take over the plane. - Kashif Irfan

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jaguarj
Jan 4, 09 10:37 AM CST
Like you, KING???
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upshotmatt
Jan 3, 09 11:50 AM CST
racism continues to run rampant through our country... Reply
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Newser001
Jan 3, 09 12:28 PM CST
An apology is a first step, but far from adequate - Serious comensation should be an absolute factor, in addition - How do you imagine this family feels about how they are percieved, and there own self / themselves AND about America, now? Of particular concern, the family's children, how did this impact them? I believe counseling should be an essential part, made available to ALL parties... the family and children - Mandatory for airline attendants, flight officers, airline officials, AND the paranoid individuals who initiated the racists complaint. They only discussed, wanting to KNOW the safest location on the aircraft... An issue each and every one of us consider when boarding an aircraft... For the rest of you, if it makes you feel any better... the aft section of the aircraft, statistically, is a samewhat survivable section; furthest from fuel, and the tail section traditionally keeps its structural integrity - In a Minor Mishap... The wing section, if a fire breaks out, is an area that is usually where subsequent casualties occur, if the aircraft sustains damage to engines, fuel cells, along with the fuselage breaking... The forward section is slightly quieter because it resides forward of the engines. Happy flying! Reply
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Newser001
Jan 4, 09 11:38 AM CST
As stated previous, there's something inherently wrong with Corona_king, and his view of the world; its unhealthy, narcissistic. Reply
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riffran
Jan 4, 09 10:36 PM CST
Talk about paranoia....but if you look at the demographics of terrorist, it does look bad for people who fit that profile...unfortunately.....being stigmatized for something YOU had nothing to do with stinks.....Profiling is a double edged weopon, but in a desperate situation what do ya do? No clear answer to that quandry....riff Reply
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