# 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:** 19
**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, 6:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-flying-morons-another-plane-delayed-by-a-fucking-idiot/754219/361 "2016-05-20T18:02:39Z")
> [@doorhinge](#): > > Yes, I seriously believe that the DHS actually wants the public to report irrational or ill-informed suspicions Even though they [explicitly state the contrary](https://www.dhs.gov/see-something-say-something/what-suspicious-activity)? > [@](#): > > Factors such as race, ethnicity, and/or religious affiliation are not suspicious. The public should only report suspicious behavior and situations (e.g., an unattended backpack or package, or someone breaking into a restricted area). Remember, resources for dealing with reported suspicions aren’t unlimited. The more reports of irrational or ill-informed suspicions the DHS has to wade through, the less time and resources they have for coping with reports of rational and reasonable suspicions. A paranoid and ignorant public is not more conducive to safety than a reasonable and well-informed public. And I repeat, for the fourth time: do you agree that if the reporting passenger in question reported her fellow passenger merely for writing mathematical equations, then she made **a stupid mistake**? ---
**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, 6:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-flying-morons-another-plane-delayed-by-a-fucking-idiot/754219/362 "2016-05-20T18:03:50Z")
> [@running\_coach](#): > > I had no idea math was so dangerous. > [@running\_coach](#): > > Explain how [this](http://thumbs.dreamstime.com/z/white-pad-pencil-5841672.jpg) looks like something dangerous. You forgot to show the math, moron. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2016, 6:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-flying-morons-another-plane-delayed-by-a-fucking-idiot/754219/363 "2016-05-20T18:07:12Z")
> [@running\_coach](#): > > Explain how [this](http://thumbs.dreamstime.com/z/white-pad-pencil-5841672.jpg) looks like something dangerous. It’s both yellow and wooden. With that you could kill both the Golden Age and the Silver Age versions of Green Lantern! ---
**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, 6:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-flying-morons-another-plane-delayed-by-a-fucking-idiot/754219/364 "2016-05-20T18:08:13Z")
> [@doorhinge](#): > > You forgot to show the math, moron. 😃 That’s because you wouldn’t recognize it and I’d wind up talking to the FBI as a result. ---
**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, 6:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-flying-morons-another-plane-delayed-by-a-fucking-idiot/754219/365 "2016-05-20T18:12:27Z")
> [@Kimstu](#): > > …And I repeat, for the fourth time: do you agree that if the reporting passenger in question reported her fellow passenger merely for writing mathematical equations, then she made **a stupid mistake**? I intend to wait until I hear the woman’s side of this incident BEFORE deciding if she’s a moron, or afraid, or stupid, or not sober enough, or related to you. In the mean time, perhaps you could explain to the class exactly what terrorists are supposed to do while they are waiting for their bomb to explode. Are they forbidden from doing mathematical equations? What page of the terrorist handbook lists the forbidden acts of waiting terrorists? ---
**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, 6:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-flying-morons-another-plane-delayed-by-a-fucking-idiot/754219/366 "2016-05-20T18:15:16Z")
> [@running\_coach](#): > > That’s because you wouldn’t recognize it and I’d wind up talking to the FBI as a result. You must be a Democrat. You forgot to do something but it’s someone else’s fault. :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, 6:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-flying-morons-another-plane-delayed-by-a-fucking-idiot/754219/367 "2016-05-20T18:18:42Z")
> [@doorhinge](#): > > You must be a Democrat. You forgot to do something but it’s someone else’s fault. :smack: What did I forget to do? ---
**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, 6:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-flying-morons-another-plane-delayed-by-a-fucking-idiot/754219/368 "2016-05-20T18:23:11Z")
> [@doorhinge](#): > > I intend to wait until I hear the woman’s side of this incident BEFORE deciding if she’s a moron, or afraid, or stupid, or not sober enough, or related to you. > > In the mean time, perhaps you could explain to the class exactly what terrorists are supposed to do while they are waiting for their bomb to explode. Are they forbidden from doing mathematical equations? What page of the terrorist handbook lists the forbidden acts of waiting terrorists? The authorities heard her story and decided she was not credible. And now you say the economist is a terrorist? ---
**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, 6:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-flying-morons-another-plane-delayed-by-a-fucking-idiot/754219/369 "2016-05-20T18:28:40Z")
> [@running\_coach](#): > > What did I forget to do? Show your math. ---
**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, 6:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-flying-morons-another-plane-delayed-by-a-fucking-idiot/754219/370 "2016-05-20T18:40:17Z")
> [@running\_coach](#): > > The authorities heard her story and decided she was not credible. And now you say the economist is a terrorist? Which proves the system works. Any system that relies on an untrained public is going to have problems. Terrorist know that there are passengers who WILL say something if they see something. Terrorist also know that there are people who are trying their damnedest to shame passengers into staying silent. Are you the economist? Which economist are YOU referring to? ---
**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, 6:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-flying-morons-another-plane-delayed-by-a-fucking-idiot/754219/371 "2016-05-20T18:42:35Z")
> [@doorhinge](#): > > Show your math. Didn’t want to frighten you. ---
**Author:** ![Euphonious\_Polemic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/euphonious_polemic/32/3002_2.png) [@Euphonious\_Polemic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Euphonious_Polemic)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2016, 7:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-flying-morons-another-plane-delayed-by-a-fucking-idiot/754219/372 "2016-05-20T19:06:45Z")
> [@doorhinge](#): > > Are you the economist? Which economist are YOU referring to? Do you get extra troll points for being a complete imbecile? ---
**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, 7:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-flying-morons-another-plane-delayed-by-a-fucking-idiot/754219/373 "2016-05-20T19:27:49Z")
> [@doorhinge](#): > > I intend to wait until I hear the woman’s side of this incident BEFORE deciding if she’s a moron, or afraid, or stupid, or not sober enough, or related to you. But I didn’t ask anything about those characteristics of the woman **as a person**. What I asked was whether you would agree that that particular **action** (reporting so-called “suspicious activity” that consisted merely of doing math equations) would be **a stupid mistake**. [QUOTE=doorhinge] In the mean time, perhaps you could explain to the class exactly what terrorists are supposed to do while they are waiting for their bomb to explode. Are they forbidden from doing mathematical equations? [/QUOTE] Wait, so you’re saying that you consider it reasonable to _report as suspicious **any** activity that **might** conceivably be engaged in by a terrorist while taking a **break** from their actual terrorist machinations_?? :dubious: Terrorists probably enjoy having a cup of coffee during their downtime, too. Please tell me that you would consider it **a stupid mistake** to report a fellow passenger to security services **merely for having a cup of coffee**. Because otherwise, ISTM that the single most effective individual action we could take to promote travel security would be to put you on the No-Fly list immediately. I mean, _suggesting that a random passenger could reasonably be reported as suspicious merely for working on some math or having a cup of coffee_ or similar trivial actions is some weapons-grade stupid. ---
**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, 7:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-flying-morons-another-plane-delayed-by-a-fucking-idiot/754219/374 "2016-05-20T19:32:29Z")
> [@Kimstu](#): > > is some weapons-grade stupid. 'I’m sorry, sir. You may not board with more than 3.4 oz. of stupid. You can leave it here or ship it back home." ---
**Author:** ![Euphonious\_Polemic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/euphonious_polemic/32/3002_2.png) [@Euphonious\_Polemic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Euphonious_Polemic)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2016, 8:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-flying-morons-another-plane-delayed-by-a-fucking-idiot/754219/375 "2016-05-20T20:07:37Z")
> [@running\_coach](#): > > 'I’m sorry, sir. You may not board with more than 3.4 oz. of stupid. You can leave it here or ship it back home." “Or we can put in in room B, where office Stedenko will take a melon-baller to your brain.” ---
**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 21, 2016, 1:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-flying-morons-another-plane-delayed-by-a-fucking-idiot/754219/376 "2016-05-21T01:44:04Z")
> [@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. I notice you conveniently ignored my direct question to you in that post. But, hey, that’s your forte, now, isn’t it, conveniently ignoring things? At any rate, there is no “her side of the story” that could possibly be different than the narrative that has appeared unless she lies about the event. There is no reason at all for the airline or the government authorities involved to lie about what happened. You are still doing a rather lame job of JAQing off. Why can’t you get it through your own thick head that being afraid of mathematical notes is moronic? ---
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2016, 2:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-flying-morons-another-plane-delayed-by-a-fucking-idiot/754219/377 "2016-05-21T02:32:19Z")
> [@Monty](#): > > I notice you conveniently ignored my direct question to you in that post. But, hey, that’s your forte, now, isn’t it, conveniently ignoring things? > > At any rate, there is no “her side of the story” that could possibly be different than the narrative that has appeared unless she lies about the event. There is no reason at all for the airline or the government authorities involved to lie about what happened. You are still doing a rather lame job of JAQing off. > > Why can’t you get it through your own thick head that being afraid of mathematical notes is moronic? He understands perfectly well what you and everyone else is saying. He’s just trolling, as always. ---
**Author:** ![eschereal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eschereal/32/18939_2.png) [@eschereal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eschereal)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2016, 3:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-flying-morons-another-plane-delayed-by-a-fucking-idiot/754219/378 "2016-05-21T03:07:25Z")
I think I shall continue to use Amtrak. Yes, it takes a lot longer, and there always seem to be troublesome delays, but at least if the train has door hinges as fucked up as this one, no one dies. ---
**Author:** ![Morgenstern](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f9ae1b/32.png) [@Morgenstern](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morgenstern)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2016, 3:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-flying-morons-another-plane-delayed-by-a-fucking-idiot/754219/379 "2016-05-21T03:11:20Z")
> [@running\_coach](#): > > I had no idea math was so dangerous. Yeah, well, in HS my girlfriend was bad at math. Scared the hell out of us once. ---
**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 21, 2016, 6:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-flying-morons-another-plane-delayed-by-a-fucking-idiot/754219/380 "2016-05-21T06:16:34Z")
> [@Colibri](#): > > He understands perfectly well what you and everyone else is saying. He’s just trolling, as always. That twerp has never been on my radar; I’ve had zero interaction with doorhinge outside of this thread. I guess I should count myself blessed. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-flying-morons-another-plane-delayed-by-a-fucking-idiot/754219.md?page=18) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-flying-morons-another-plane-delayed-by-a-fucking-idiot/754219.md?page=20)