Steel band win

[mutley 4,498]

Ryanair has been ordered to pay

[allardjd 1,853]

I think it's an understandable error, however the award granted to the men is not excessive, considering that, a) they were innocent, and :mrhappy: they were very much inconvenienced. In fact, it might be a good thing to establish a standard compensation for being wrongfully ejected. It should be high enough to cause the airlines to think carefully before playing that card, but low enough not to be a life-changing windfall to ejected passengers.

I doubt the captain said, even to himself, "Hey, I'll just throw these wretches off my flight and then we'll be all white."

What probably went through his mind was more along the lines of, "There's something dicey about these guys. Let's just let the authorities check them out and if they're on the up and up they can come along on a later flight."

Paranoia is unreasonable fear. It's not unreasonable to believe there might be people around who intend harm to commercial flights.

John

[Martyn 9]

Paranoid passenger...responsible Captain...embarrassing situation for a pretty crap airline!

I wouldn't call it racially motivated as such, however I wonder whether the university lecturer would have made a fuss if they were white? Personally I doubt he would have. I think people are, understandably, paranoid and nervous on aircraft post 9/11. However its very unfair to create such an embarrassing and scary situation for the band.

The Captain certainly did the right thing though, ignoring the allegation would have been irresponsible and letting them back on would have made for a very tense and possibly unsafe flight.

[mulletman 0]

I doubt the Paranoia is unreasonable fear. It's not unreasonable to believe there might be people around who intend harm to commercial flights.

I think its paranoia. 20 years ago this would have gone unoticed. If the blind guy really was 'reading' a newspaper, other passengers would have seen it as his own sence of humour.

The stereotype regarding people of ethnic minoritys will have played into it also, but im going to think my thoughts on that matter, not say them.

[allardjd 1,853]

You've misquoted me, Fred. You added "I doubt" to the beginning of what I said, changing the meaning.

This may well have gone unnoticed twenty years ago. Twenty years ago, the threat of airliners being hijacked for use as suicide cruise missiles (9/11) or passengers trying to light the fuse of their explosives-laden sneakers mid-flight or the near daily efforts of people to kill others while killing themselves in the bargain, all in the name of a certain religion, had not yet become common. I don't think the fear exhibited by the passengers in this case was entirely unreasonable given what's become commonplace over these last twenty years.

[ddavid 149]

I remember, when I used to go across the pond for my job, that a colleague used to say he always tried 'to pack a bomb'. He said, in explanation: 'The chances of there being a bomb on my flight are about 10,000, or more, to one. If I take a bomb, as well, then the chances will be more than 100 million to one'. You couldn't argue with him, and you can't argue with irrational people.

As I see it, anyone bent on taking a plane down, by smuggling a device onboard, is least likely to draw attention to him/her-self. Dressing up in colourful, ethnic costume/dress, etc is probably not the best way to get by 'incognito'. Plus the fact that all passengers and luggage are strictly checked for undesirable items. So, no marks for the Captain for sending the band back to be re-checked and no marks again for not waiting for them. Yes, I know that the Captain would be under considerable pressure to get his aircraft back, without too much disruption to schedule - and Ryanair have, in the past, severely disciplined their crews for significant delays - but he has a duty to all on board, not just those who voice their concerns for safety on the basis of how others dress.

So, for me it's part paranoia and part unprofessional conduct on the part of the crew. In fact, I'd have been inclined to give any passenger the option of getting off the plane if they felt they were in danger!

End of lecture!! We must agree to dis-agree, eh?

Asta la vista - nothing personal!

Ceers - Dai.

[mutley 4,498]

Thanks everyone for voting, who said don't know?!!

I think the Capt did the right thing in this situation so I voted safety first, it's not a game and hindsight is a wonderful thing, if only we had the benefit when making our decisions.

So what if the :eyebrow: hit the fan and they had to pay a fine, the winners are the other passengers who must have felt safer knowing that Ryanair take safety seriously in this situation.

Cheers