American media supresses loony rantings of so-called Christian pilot
Monday, February 09, 2004
The lead from AP coverage (via San Franscisco Chronicle):
An American Airlines pilot flying passengers from Los Angeles to New York asked Christians on board to identify themselves and then suggested that non-Christian passengers discuss the faith with them, the airline confirmed Saturday.
sfgate.com
Sounds pretty mild, right? Well, here's what really happened (thank God there's a free press, at least in the UK). The BBC:
news.bbc.co.uk
An American Airlines pilot terrified passengers on his flight when he asked Christians to identify themselves and went on to call non-Christians "crazy".
Some passengers on the flight from Los Angeles to New York were so worried they tried to call relatives on their mobile phones.
The pilot, whose name was not released, asked Christians on Friday's flight to raise their hands.
He then suggested non-Christians talk to the Christians about their faith.
He went on to say that "everyone who doesn't have their hand raised [i.e., the non-`Christians'] is crazy", passenger Amanda Nelligan told CBS news.
"He continued to say, 'Well, you have a choice: you can make this trip worthwhile, or you can sit back, read a book and watch the movie'," she said.
The pilot also told passengers he would be available for discussion at the end of the flight.
Ms Nelligan said passengers had thought the pilot's behaviour was "bizarre" and wondered whether his comments were a threat.
Flight attendants notified ground control.
If American doesn't fire hold this guy accountable—say, by firing his ass—we're in for a long season of aggressive SIC proselytization on the airlines. I'm not looking forward to the prospect.
Here's American Airlines customer relations number:
1-817-967-2000
8:00 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. CT Mon. - Fri.
1-817-967-4162 (Fax)
And here is their refund number (in case this happens to you):
1-918-254-3777
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