# 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:** 3
**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 8, 2016, 7:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-flying-morons-another-plane-delayed-by-a-fucking-idiot/754219/41 "2016-05-08T19:53:17Z")
> [@Spiderman](#): > > It did happen in this case. No it didn’t. You own link, and the one i provided in the OP, says that she asked to get off the plane. She was not kicked off as punishment; she was allowed to disembark at her own request (after the plane had already been boarded), and was rebooked by the airline on another flight. ---
**Author:** ![joyfool](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/df788c/32.png) [@joyfool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/joyfool)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2016, 8:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-flying-morons-another-plane-delayed-by-a-fucking-idiot/754219/42 "2016-05-08T20:27:37Z")
> [@mhendo](#): > > No it didn’t. You own link, and the one i provided in the OP, says that she asked to get off the plane. She was not kicked off as punishment; she was allowed to disembark at her own request (after the plane had already been boarded), and was rebooked by the airline on another flight. Probably because she didn’t have the balls to face the person she accused. I mean, what was the idiot going to say? “I’m so sorry, sir. I had no idea I was stupid enough to confuse math with terrorism and then further allow my racism to cloud my judgment? I’ll change my wicked ways, stat!” Nope. She was going to tuck her tail and take her cowardice elsewhere to avoid the consequences of her hatred. ---
**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 8, 2016, 8:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-flying-morons-another-plane-delayed-by-a-fucking-idiot/754219/43 "2016-05-08T20:53:28Z")
She’ the one who should have her name publicized. The economist did nothing wrong, and yet his name is now linked to terrorism in the feeble minds of America’s cave-dwellers. The moron who accused him should have her name blasted across the media so the rest of us can point and laugh at her for the rest of her stupid, miserable life. ---
**Author:** ![Knowed\_Out](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/knowed_out/32/7380_2.png) [@Knowed\_Out](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Knowed_Out)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2016, 9:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-flying-morons-another-plane-delayed-by-a-fucking-idiot/754219/44 "2016-05-08T21:34:15Z")
> [@Alessan](#): > > Security update: > > TSA agents will now be working in teams of three - one who knows how to read, one who knows how to write, and one to keep an eye on the two dangerous intellectuals. my new email sig ---
**Author:** ![Alessan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alessan/32/465_2.png) [@Alessan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alessan)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2016, 9:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-flying-morons-another-plane-delayed-by-a-fucking-idiot/754219/45 "2016-05-08T21:40:29Z")
> [@Nava](#): > > You Middle Easterns are NSFW. Mind you, I think I’ve heard that as being considered for censors back under el Generalísimo… The way I heard it, it’s actually an old Soviet Block joke about the KGB. But if the shoe fits… ---
**Author:** ![davidm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidm/32/225_2.png) [@davidm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidm)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2016, 9:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-flying-morons-another-plane-delayed-by-a-fucking-idiot/754219/46 "2016-05-08T21:58:08Z")
Everybody’s talking about this woman not recognizing mathematical notation. This misses the point. It doesn’t frigging matter what he was writing! Not recognizing what someone is writing, or drawing, or doodling, or whatever, is not a reason to call in the TSA. There are no magical symbols that will cause a notebook to bring down an airplane. ---
**Author:** ![Baron\_Greenback](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/baron_greenback/32/48_2.png) [@Baron\_Greenback](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baron_Greenback)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2016, 10:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-flying-morons-another-plane-delayed-by-a-fucking-idiot/754219/47 "2016-05-08T22:15:57Z")
“What are you _writing_ for?” ---
**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 8, 2016, 10:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-flying-morons-another-plane-delayed-by-a-fucking-idiot/754219/48 "2016-05-08T22:33:13Z")
> [@davidm](#): > > There are no magical symbols that will cause a notebook to bring down an airplane. Depends on [what kind of notebook we are speaking of](http://oskarena.hlavac.cz/bluetooth.jpg). ---
**Author:** ![lance\_strongarm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/87869e/32.png) [@lance\_strongarm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lance_strongarm)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2016, 10:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-flying-morons-another-plane-delayed-by-a-fucking-idiot/754219/49 "2016-05-08T22:35:34Z")
He was fucking using ARABIC numerals. Scary stuff. ---
**Author:** ![Lightray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lightray/32/391_2.png) [@Lightray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lightray)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2016, 10:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-flying-morons-another-plane-delayed-by-a-fucking-idiot/754219/50 "2016-05-08T22:37:55Z")
> [@davidm](#): > > There are no magical symbols that will cause a notebook to bring down an airplane. Don’t be silly. [This](http://www.d20srd.org/srd/spells/explosiveRunes.htm) is only 3rd level, and would probably do the job. ---
**Author:** ![eclectic\_wench](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ac91a4/32.png) [@eclectic\_wench](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eclectic_wench)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2016, 10:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-flying-morons-another-plane-delayed-by-a-fucking-idiot/754219/51 "2016-05-08T22:57:41Z")
\< font=billhicks \> Whatcha writin’ for? Welllll…looks like we got ourselves a WRITAH. \< /billhicks \> ---
**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 8, 2016, 11:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-flying-morons-another-plane-delayed-by-a-fucking-idiot/754219/52 "2016-05-08T23:02:55Z")
> [@Alessan](#): > > Security update: > > TSA agents will now be working in teams of three - one who knows how to read, one who knows how to write, and one to keep an eye on the two dangerous intellectuals. [Herb Block said it nicely back in 1949.](http://herb.ashp.cuny.edu/files/original/bookseh_29c49b6693.png) ---
**Author:** ![excavating\_for\_a\_mind](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/e8c25b/32.png) [@excavating\_for\_a\_mind](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/excavating_for_a_mind)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2016, 12:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-flying-morons-another-plane-delayed-by-a-fucking-idiot/754219/53 "2016-05-09T00:30:42Z")
> [@davidm](#): > > Everybody’s talking about this woman not recognizing mathematical notation. This misses the point. > > It doesn’t frigging matter what he was writing! Not recognizing what someone is writing, or drawing, or doodling, or whatever, is not a reason to call in the TSA. > > There are no magical symbols that will cause a notebook to bring down an airplane. No, I think they totally miss the point of the TSA. The TSA is there to assure the traveling public that they are safe. This does not actually mean they are to make them safe, but to make them feel safe. That is why they say “If you see something, say something”. Tell the TSA and they will do what they can do make sure everyone feels safe. The fact that one man (who, actually, doesn’t even look like a terrorist) and one woman were slightly inconvenienced (honestly, idiot aircraft maintenance workers inconvenience a whole lot more travelers than that) is a small price to pay to insure all travelers feel safe and that their concerns will not just be dismissed as being “trivial”. The TSA reports to the general public. If the public does not like the way they do their job, they have to power to do something about it. Most people, however, just put up with it. And, honestly, you folks are ganging up on this woman because she isn’t as smart as you think you are? Heck, she shouldn’t even be allowed to fly, she is so stupid. We ought to be giving people tests to make sure they are smart enough to be able to fly with the [del]intelligentsia[/del] rest of us. Heck, since she thinks differently, she should also probably be given a test to see if she’s smart enough to vote. ---
**Author:** ![digs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/digs/32/14889_2.png) [@digs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/digs)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2016, 12:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-flying-morons-another-plane-delayed-by-a-fucking-idiot/754219/54 "2016-05-09T00:56:14Z")
A test to see if someone’s smart enough to vote? THAT’S what this country needs! If you’d like to run for office, I’ll put your yard signs all over my neighborhood. ---
**Author:** ![Spiderman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spiderman/32/230_2.png) [@Spiderman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spiderman)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2016, 1:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-flying-morons-another-plane-delayed-by-a-fucking-idiot/754219/55 "2016-05-09T01:17:37Z")
> [@mhendo](#): > > No it didn’t. You own link, and the one i provided in the OP, says that she asked to get off the plane. She was not kicked off as punishment; she was allowed to disembark at her own request (after the plane had already been boarded), and was rebooked by the airline on another flight. > [@Philly Inquirer](#): > > In a Facebook post that was later deleted, Menzio wrote that the woman had passed the note to a flight attendant, and that when the attendant returned, she asked the woman if she was comfortable taking off or was “too sick.” Uh-huh. Suuuuure. She was so sick she couldn’t fly but miraculously was well enough for the next flight. :rolleyes: …& people _honestly_ resign their job to “spend more time with their family” or “pursue other opportunities” according to various press releases; it’s not a case of they’re being officially “allowed” to resign instead of being fired. C’mon, **mhendo** , you’re smarter than that. > [@digs](#): > > A test to see if someone’s smart enough to vote? How I wish there was a test you had to pass before being allowed to procreate. ---
**Author:** ![Measure\_for\_Measure](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/measure_for_measure/32/557_2.png) [@Measure\_for\_Measure](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Measure_for_Measure)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2016, 1:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-flying-morons-another-plane-delayed-by-a-fucking-idiot/754219/56 "2016-05-09T01:23:42Z")
> [@Spiderman](#): > > Uh-huh. Suuuuure. She was so sick she couldn’t fly but miraculously was well enough for the next flight. :rolleyes: I perceived that the illness was a ruse, but that she leaved the flight voluntarily in order to report the guy. I see no evidence that she was detained. I assumed she was scared/uncomfortable with getting back on the plane seated next to an habitual mathematical problem solver. And not just equations. _Differential_ equations. ETA: I’m with Kevin Drum. I want to see that sheet of paper. > **[Heroic passenger recognizes quantitative economics as true threat to America](https://www.motherjones.com/kevin-drum/2016/05/heroic-passenger-recognizes-quantitative-economics-true-threat-america/)** > >   ---
**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 9, 2016, 1:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-flying-morons-another-plane-delayed-by-a-fucking-idiot/754219/57 "2016-05-09T01:27:44Z")
> [@Spiderman](#): > > Uh-huh. Suuuuure. She was so sick she couldn’t fly but miraculously was well enough for the next flight. :rolleyes: I never said that i believed that she was actually sick. You need to follow the conversation more carefully. I said: > [@mhendo](#): > > I know it’s never going to happen, but i sometimes think that people who make these sorts of bullshit complaints should be treated the same as people who prank-call 911. There comes a time when being a complete fucking lobotomy victim should not excuse you from the consequences of your actions. You said: > [@Spiderman](#): > > It did happen in this case. So, i called for some sort of punishment for people who make bullshit complaints. You claimed that this had actually happened. But it did not, and whether the woman was genuinely sick or not is irrelevant. For your claim to be verified, we would need evidence that she was kept off the plane by officials (TSA, or whatever) as a result of her complaint. But we have no evidence of that. In fact, the only evidence we have says that she, herself, asked to be removed from the flight, and that she was booked on a later flight. Whether her request was due to sickness, or was really due to being a moron, is irrelevant. Edit: What **Measure for Measure** said. ---
**Author:** ![Maserschmidt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/maserschmidt/32/18829_2.png) [@Maserschmidt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maserschmidt)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2016, 2:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-flying-morons-another-plane-delayed-by-a-fucking-idiot/754219/58 "2016-05-09T02:01:00Z")
First they came for the Bayesian empiricists… ---
**Author:** ![Senegoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/senegoid/32/6606_2.png) [@Senegoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Senegoid)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2016, 5:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-flying-morons-another-plane-delayed-by-a-fucking-idiot/754219/59 "2016-05-09T05:31:37Z")
> [@Measure\_for\_Measure](#): > > ETA: I’m with Kevin Drum. I want to see that sheet of paper. > [Heroic Passenger Recognizes Quantitative Economics as True Threat to America – Mother Jones](http://www.motherjones.com/kevin-drum/2016/05/heroic-passenger-recognizes-quantitative-economics-true-threat-america) I wonder if the TSA folks, in their abundance of caution, confiscated the professor’s notebook and sent it to the NSA for decoding and analysis. ---
**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 9, 2016, 10:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-flying-morons-another-plane-delayed-by-a-fucking-idiot/754219/60 "2016-05-09T10:20:46Z")
Can’t they just strap her to the wing and get on with the flight without any further delay? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-flying-morons-another-plane-delayed-by-a-fucking-idiot/754219.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-flying-morons-another-plane-delayed-by-a-fucking-idiot/754219.md?page=4)