What is this country coming to? Is there no common sense in the airline industry? Yes, we used to let people on board with machetes, but now we are serious about security! What a joke.
One could probably put a major airline out of business by simply hiring a few dozen homeless people to individually board packed jumbo jets and ask such an inane question.
http://www.madison.com/wisconsinstatejournal/local/39355.php
Offhand comment lands man in big jam
7:21 PM 12/24/02
Barry Adams Police reporter
Steven Wiese planned a nice gift for his wife: a one-night stay with her in a New York City hotel to celebrate Christmas.
But because of an offhand remark the Cottage Grove man allegedly made, the trip is off, he's out two round-trip airline tickets and his hotel costs, and he'll likely need to hire an attorney.
Dane County Sheriff's Lt. Mike Krembs said that shortly after boarding a Com Air jet to Cincinnati Tuesday morning at Dane County Regional Airport, Wiese allegedly leaned into the cockpit and said to the pilot, "I hope you haven't been drinking."
The alleged remark forced cancellation of the commuter flight, and, under Federal Aviation Administration regulations, forced the airline to investigate the pilot, Krembs said.
"You don't joke about this stuff anymore," Krembs said. "This kind of stuff isn't funny anymore."
Since the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, security has been tightened at airports around the world - and even remarks made in jest are taken seriously, airport officials have stressed.
Wiese, a 33-year-old volunteer firefighter and emergency medical technician, was issued a $225 disorderly conduct citation, Krembs said.
Airport officials were unavailable for comment.
No other flights were affected by the incident, Krembs said. It was not immediately known how many of the 24 passengers on the 35-seat Com Air flight were able to find timely alternative travel arrangements.
The couple was not allowed on another flight Tuesday, Krembs said.
Wiese, who hasn't flown in more than nine years, would not comment on the incident but did say he planned the trip about four weeks ago.
"It was just supposed to be time away from the hustle and bustle," he said.
