# The Flying Morons - another plane delayed by a fucking idiot **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [May 7, 2016, 8:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-flying-morons-another-plane-delayed-by-a-fucking-idiot/754219 "2016-05-07T20:51:39Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 18
**Author:** ![Saint\_Cad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saint_cad/32/18907_2.png) [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2016, 8:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-flying-morons-another-plane-delayed-by-a-fucking-idiot/754219/341 "2016-05-19T20:16:19Z")
Leaving aside trollhinge and his new hero Ms OMGmathissecretarabicciphertokillusall. Why don’t we have more people in this thread discussing the AA investigators that needed almost two hours to investigate her allegations and determine them to be non-credible? I can understand one different = scary xenophobe over-reacting but why was it not dealt with in 5 minutes. And they should have charged her the fees to change her flight. I know they didn’t in the name of customer service but some people you don’t want as customers. ---
**Author:** ![Saint\_Cad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saint_cad/32/18907_2.png) [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2016, 8:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-flying-morons-another-plane-delayed-by-a-fucking-idiot/754219/342 "2016-05-19T20:43:55Z")
Can we please resurrect [this thread](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=743843) to go along with this one. ---
**Author:** ![mhendo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mhendo/32/3159_2.png) [@mhendo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mhendo)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2016, 9:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-flying-morons-another-plane-delayed-by-a-fucking-idiot/754219/343 "2016-05-19T21:17:47Z")
> [@Saint\_Cad](#): > > Leaving aside trollhinge and his new hero Ms OMGmathissecretarabicciphertokillusall. Why don’t we have more people in this thread discussing the AA investigators that needed almost two hours to investigate her allegations and determine them to be non-credible? I’ve addressed this one at least once already, back in Post #229. It is not at all clear that it took the AA people almost two hours to determine that her allegations were non-credible. What the stories have said is that the plane was delayed by about two hours. According to [this account](https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/rampage/wp/2016/05/07/ivy-league-economist-interrogated-for-doing-math-on-american-airlines-flight/), and others that i’ve read, the sequence of events went something like this: It seems that the woman initially passed a note to the cabin crew saying that she felt “too sick” to fly. As a result, the plane sat on the tarmac for about 30 minutes. Then, the plane headed back to the gate and the woman was taken off the plane. It was only at this stage, apparently, after getting off the plane, that the woman revealed her actual concerns about her seat companion and his dastardly equations. Then, the AA officials came back to take Menzio off the plane. Initially, he says, they questioned him about the woman, but then they asked him about his math. he laughed, and took them back to his seat to show them what he was working on. Apparently, the flight took off “soon after” that. If this is the sequence of events, it appears that the actual time taken to investigate Menzio and determine the woman’s accusations to be unfounded was not very long at all. Much of the time involved the initial wait on the tarmac after the woman’s first note, and then the time to get back to the gate and get the woman and then Menzio off the plane. Also, as i suggested in an earlier post, getting a plane back in line for takeoff is not as simple as simply rejoining traffic on the freeway. They need to talk with the traffic control people and make sure there’s a takeoff slot available, and then get back in the line. ---
**Author:** ![doorhinge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a5b964/32.png) [@doorhinge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/doorhinge)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2016, 10:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-flying-morons-another-plane-delayed-by-a-fucking-idiot/754219/344 "2016-05-19T22:37:08Z")
> [@Colibri](#): > > You do realize his membership in the Morons Union requires him to vigorously defend the actions of any moron anywhere at any time? > > Unfortunately the fact that he’s a moron means he’s not very good at it. YOU formed a union? That’s impressive. Much more impressive than those people who claim this woman is a moron based on what Groupthink tells them to think. ---
**Author:** ![doorhinge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a5b964/32.png) [@doorhinge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/doorhinge)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2016, 10:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-flying-morons-another-plane-delayed-by-a-fucking-idiot/754219/345 "2016-05-19T22:46:34Z")
> [@running\_coach](#): > > So he tells his story but you don’t believe him. If the woman should ever speak up, why would you think she’s telling the truth? Why not think she will tell a story that doesn’t make her look like a moron? > > The economist told his story and the authorities found no reason to detain him or remove him from that plane and allowed him to fly. I never said that I didn’t believe him. But why let facts get in your way? He told his version. He told the story he wanted the public to hear. That’s one side. Based on what little you know, you’ve decided that the woman must be a moron. I’ll wait to hear both sides of the story BEFORE I decide if she’s a moron or not. ---
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2016, 10:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-flying-morons-another-plane-delayed-by-a-fucking-idiot/754219/346 "2016-05-19T22:47:04Z")
Can she be put on the no-fly list? There are enough delays in air travel already. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2016, 10:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-flying-morons-another-plane-delayed-by-a-fucking-idiot/754219/347 "2016-05-19T22:55:35Z")
> [@doorhinge](#): > > \*\*I never said that I didn’t believe him. \*\*But why let facts get in your way? > > He told his version. \*\*He told the story he wanted the public to hear. \*\*That’s one side. Based on what little you know, you’ve decided that the woman must be a moron. I’ll wait to hear both sides of the story BEFORE I decide if she’s a moron or not. Sounds to me like you don’t believe him. You believe the story you haven’t heard and you don’t believe the story you have heard. The story he told was investigated by the people who had the authority to bar him from flying and even arrest him. And he was allowed to fly. I tend to believe him. You say he told a story he wants the public to hear. Obviously, you believe there’s more. Let’s hear it. ---
**Author:** ![doorhinge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a5b964/32.png) [@doorhinge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/doorhinge)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2016, 10:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-flying-morons-another-plane-delayed-by-a-fucking-idiot/754219/348 "2016-05-19T22:56:11Z")
> [@Saint\_Cad](#): > > Can we please resurrect [this thread](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=743843) to go along with this one. HELP ! I’m being repressed ! Come see the violence inherent in the system. [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/GS_1bzaj2fw/hqdefault.jpg "HELP ! I'm being repressed !") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GS_1bzaj2fw) ---
**Author:** ![doorhinge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a5b964/32.png) [@doorhinge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/doorhinge)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2016, 10:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-flying-morons-another-plane-delayed-by-a-fucking-idiot/754219/349 "2016-05-19T22:58:08Z")
> [@running\_coach](#): > > Sounds to me like you don’t believe him. (post shortened) There’s your problem, right there. ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2016, 10:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-flying-morons-another-plane-delayed-by-a-fucking-idiot/754219/350 "2016-05-19T22:59:43Z")
> [@running\_coach](#): > > Obviously, you believe there’s more. Let’s hear it. Nice try. ---
**Author:** ![Monty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/monty/32/47_2.png) [@Monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Monty)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2016, 11:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-flying-morons-another-plane-delayed-by-a-fucking-idiot/754219/351 "2016-05-19T23:44:57Z")
> [@doorhinge](#): > > Hahahaha. Of course, that’s why I’m waiting to hear her side of the story before deciding whether she’s a moron or not. > > You’ve automatically, or is it mechanically, decided to attack a woman for voicing her concerns about a fellow passenger. The Groupthink is strong within you. Are you seriously accusing me of being a misogynist? > [@](#): > > I have no idea what the whole story is. One passenger has told the public what he wants the public to hear. The other passenger has not made any statement. You chose to conveniently ignore the fact that all of the facts have NOT been reported but Groupthink demands that you attack the woman and attack anyone who questions the lack of facts associated with this incident. You’re completely delusional if you think that “appraisal” is factual. The “other passenger” didn’t speak to the public; he was interrogated by authorities who, as mentioned quite a few times in this thread, determined he poses no danger whatsoever. ---
**Author:** ![Kimstu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ecd19e/32.png) [@Kimstu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimstu)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2016, 1:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-flying-morons-another-plane-delayed-by-a-fucking-idiot/754219/352 "2016-05-20T01:30:31Z")
Repeating once again the questions that **doorhinge** keeps evading: > [@Kimstu](#): > > […] **I didn’t ask whether she should be considered “a moron”, nor did I assert anything of the kind.** I asked whether you would agree that if she reported a fellow passenger merely because of his writing mathematical equations— **which is what all the evidence so far indicates, including all the evidence from the reporting passenger herself, which she has the option of publicly providing or withholding at will** —then would you agree that she had made **a stupid mistake**? > > And I also repeat my other question: Do you seriously believe that \*\*the DHS actually wants the public to be reporting irrational or ill-informed suspicions? \*\* ---
**Author:** ![dasmoocher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/dbc845/32.png) [@dasmoocher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dasmoocher)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2016, 2:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-flying-morons-another-plane-delayed-by-a-fucking-idiot/754219/353 "2016-05-20T02:30:57Z")
> [@Kimstu](#): > > Repeating once again the questions that **doorhinge** keeps evading: Mmmm… What are the chances that **doorknob’s** response will include “Hahahah”? It’s a devastating debate technique, don’t ya know? I believe Abraham Lincoln used it frequently to great effect on the intertubes when debating Stephen Douglass . ---
**Author:** ![Muffin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muffin/32/4341_2.png) [@Muffin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Muffin)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2016, 2:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-flying-morons-another-plane-delayed-by-a-fucking-idiot/754219/354 "2016-05-20T02:31:57Z")
When Doorhinge puts on his [thinking cap](http://www.askdrding.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/02/propeller-beanie.gif), he is an aviation expert. ---
**Author:** ![doorhinge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a5b964/32.png) [@doorhinge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/doorhinge)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2016, 5:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-flying-morons-another-plane-delayed-by-a-fucking-idiot/754219/355 "2016-05-20T17:11:24Z")
> [@Monty](#): > > …You’re completely delusional if you think that “appraisal” is factual. The “other passenger” didn’t speak to the public; he was interrogated by authorities who, as mentioned quite a few times in this thread, determined he poses no danger whatsoever. It was determined AFTER an investigation that he posed no threat. Key word - AFTER. This isn’t the first flight that has been delayed due to passenger concerns over their fellow passengers and it won’t be the last. If you see something, say something. Government enforcement and safety agencies have been asking the untrained public to help spot potential threats BEFORE anyone is killed or maimed. If you see something, say something. Or not. Your choice. Since the downside is death, I prefer that people say something and let the professionals figure out the details. I don’t mind the delay. Better safe than sorry. You may prefer to attack a woman for notifying the proper authorities??? That only serves to stop other women from choosing to notify the proper authorities. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2016, 5:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-flying-morons-another-plane-delayed-by-a-fucking-idiot/754219/356 "2016-05-20T17:20:40Z")
> [@doorhinge](#): > > It was determined AFTER an investigation that he posed no threat. Key word - AFTER. > > This isn’t the first flight that has been delayed due to passenger concerns over their fellow passengers and it won’t be the last. If you see something, say something. > > Government enforcement and safety agencies have been asking the untrained public to **help spot potential threats BEFORE anyone is killed or maimed.** If you see something, say something. Or not. Your choice. I had no idea math was so dangerous. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2016, 5:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-flying-morons-another-plane-delayed-by-a-fucking-idiot/754219/357 "2016-05-20T17:24:24Z")
> [@doorhinge](#): > > It was determined AFTER an investigation that he posed no threat. Key word - AFTER. > > This isn’t the first flight that has been delayed due to passenger concerns over their fellow passengers and it won’t be the last. If you see something, say something. > > Government enforcement and safety agencies have been asking the untrained public to help spot potential threats BEFORE anyone is killed or maimed. If you see something, say something. Or not. Your choice. Since the downside is death, I prefer that people say something and let the professionals figure out the details. I don’t mind the delay. Better safe than sorry. You may prefer to attack a woman for notifying the proper authorities??? That only serves to stop other women from choosing to notify the proper authorities. You are one classless idiot. I’m not afraid to tell women, men and children: “If you see someone doing math on a plane and you report it to the authorities as a suspicious activity, you are an idiot.” ---
**Author:** ![doorhinge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a5b964/32.png) [@doorhinge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/doorhinge)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2016, 5:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-flying-morons-another-plane-delayed-by-a-fucking-idiot/754219/358 "2016-05-20T17:40:41Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > You are one classless idiot. I’m not afraid to tell women, men and children: “If you see someone doing math on a plane and you report it to the authorities as a suspicious activity, you are an idiot.” And they are free to ignore your assholeish suggestion. _Who was that rude man, Martha? I don’t know, George. He said he was the czar of something. Then he decreed that we must be idiots for voicing our concerns to the proper authorities. What a classless asshole!_ ---
**Author:** ![doorhinge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a5b964/32.png) [@doorhinge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/doorhinge)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2016, 5:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-flying-morons-another-plane-delayed-by-a-fucking-idiot/754219/359 "2016-05-20T17:43:07Z")
> [@Kimstu](#): > > Repeating once again the questions that **doorhinge** keeps evading: Government agencies have publically stated that they are willing to work with and address the concerns of frightened/worried/curious and untrained passengers. Those same government agencies would be aware that they will be receiving many, many more false reports than if they hadn’t encouraged the public to report suspicious activity. The phrase is - If you see something, say something. The phrase is not - if you see something, take a class on bomb and terrorist spotting, if you still think there was a problem, or if the problem is still there, say something. Yes, I seriously believe that the DHS actually wants the public to report irrational or ill-informed suspicions because terrorist still want to murder as many people as they can. You may prefer that your fellow passengers give the terrorists a break by ignoring any suspicion they may have. Wouldn’t want you to be late to your meeting. :smack: ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2016, 5:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-flying-morons-another-plane-delayed-by-a-fucking-idiot/754219/360 "2016-05-20T17:51:04Z")
> [@doorhinge](#): > > Government agencies have publically stated that they are willing to work with and address the concerns of frightened/worried/curious and untrained passengers. Those same government agencies would be aware that they will be receiving many, many more false reports than if they hadn’t encouraged the public to report suspicious activity. **The phrase is - If you see something, say something.** The phrase is not - if you see something, take a class on bomb and terrorist spotting, if you still think there was a problem, or if the problem is still there, say something. > > Yes, I seriously believe that the DHS actually wants the public to report irrational or ill-informed suspicions because terrorist still want to murder as many people as they can. You may prefer that your fellow passengers give the terrorists a break by ignoring any suspicion they may have. Wouldn’t want you to be late to your meeting. :smack: Explain how [this](http://thumbs.dreamstime.com/z/white-pad-pencil-5841672.jpg) looks like something dangerous. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-flying-morons-another-plane-delayed-by-a-fucking-idiot/754219.md?page=17) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-flying-morons-another-plane-delayed-by-a-fucking-idiot/754219.md?page=19)