Pilot tells passengers “I am not qualified to land the plane”

by Josh Lew on

A Flybe Airlines flight from Cardiff to Paris had to turn around because of fog at Charles De Gaulle Airport. The fog did not force the airport to close. Rather, the pilot, a man with 30 years of experience, had never completed low-visibility training for the particular aircraft that he was flying.

Passengers on the flight were stunned when, 20 minutes shy of De Gaulle, the pilot got on the PA system and, instead of announcing the imminent arrival, said the following:

‘Unfortunately I’m not qualified to land the plane in Paris. They are asking for a level two qualification and I only have a level five. We’ll have to fly back.’

And fly back they did. The bizarre incident is nothing if not humorous, but I doubt the passengers on the flight were amused.

A spokesman for the Civil Aviation Authority said that such a situation was rare, but not unheard of. “There are different classifications of aircraft and when an aircraft is updated, pilot’s who have flown an older version have to completely retrain.”


Think that pilot pulled an unusual stunt? What he did is nothing compared to the stunts these girls pulled.


Homeland Security employing illegal immigrants – under the table, of course

by Annie Scott on

Lorraine Henderson is our current poster-child for hypocrisy.

Henderson, the regional director of Homeland Security, Customs, and Border Protection and the director of the Port of Boston was stung by an undercover operation which revealed she repeatedly hired illegal immigrants to clean her home in Salem. The Law & Order -esque operation, complete with a maid wearing a wire, has resulted in her being charged with encouraging an illegal immigrant to remain in the country.

According to the eight page affidavit, Henderson employed a Brazilian housekeeper who she knew was in the country illegally — and also employed her friends when the housekeeper took leave to have a baby. Henderson even counseled her Brazilian housekeeper about how to avoid detection by law enforcement.

The housekeeper agreed to wear a wire after being approached by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Henderson, who is facing 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine, has yet to enter a plea.

She also showed up to the courthouse in jeans and a gray sweatshirt. Sounds like somebody’s not even trying.

[via Boston.com]

Thai Protesters Shut Down Bangkok’s Airport

by Josh Lew on

Anti-government protesters in Bangkok have ramped up their campaign against the the party of prime minister Somchai Wongsawat. Early yesterday, supporters of the PAD (People’s Alliance for Democracy) stormed past police lines and entered Suvarnabhumi International Airport. When they reached the departure areas, airport officials decided to shut the airport down. Several thousand tourists and travelers were stranded in the airport while more than a dozen flights had to be diverted to Bangkok’s old international terminal at Don Muang Airport.

Over 14 million tourists came to Thailand last year. Violence between the pro and anti-government groups had done little to dissuade tourists from visiting because foreigners have not been targeted. However, the situation seems to finally have spilled over into the country’s tourism industry.

Top Thai army generals have called for the government to step down. Despite promises to the contrary, it seems that another coup is possible (even likely). Meanwhile, things don’t look good for those stranded at Suvarnabhumi. PAD supporters have vowed to “close Suvarnabhumi Airport to send a final word… to Somchai and his cabinet: resign immediately and without conditions.” But the government is not budging. So looks like those trying to get into or out of The Land of Smiles are in for some frustration.

[related story]

Israeli Airport Security Makes American Performer Dance to Prove his Identity

by Josh Lew on

When the famed American dance company Alvin Ailey arrived in Israel, one of the troupe was singled out by airport security because of his Muslim name. That’s nothing new in a place where security concerns trump political correctness.

But this particular situation didn’t stop with the usual searches and passport verification. The dancer, Abdur-Rahim Jackson, was asked to perform a dance in order to prove his identity. After being held in a holding room for a few minutes, a different security official asked him to dance again. Jackson claimed that another security official told him it might be wise if he changed his name.

Jackson received his name when his father converted to Islam. He is not religious and is engaged to a Jewish woman whose family he intended to visit while in Israel. Despite being taken aback by the treatment, Jackson said that he did not plan to pursue any sort of official complaint. However, the story has been picked up by the Israeli press and commentators have complained about the negative image the story has caused for their country. Source.

Ugandan pastor arrested for possibly molesting girl on flight

by Abha Malpani on

41-year old pastor and head of Ugandan church, Jackson Senyonga, was arrested at Oakland International Airport under the suspicion that he might have fondled the 13-year old girl seated next to him.

The religious community worker who is known to have dedicated his life to building orphanages in Kampala and heading poverty-relief initiatives, was taken to a jail in Dublin and released on bail; the case is now with the FBI.

Google Senyonga and you’ll find that he is head of a Christian Life Ministry that has 40,000 registered members; there are also numerous articles written by him and podcasts to listen to. He seems like he’s got a lot out there and is connected to many good causes.

The fact that he could have molested a child on a plane is reason enough to question what he stands for and all the good things he seems to be doing. It also makes you want to rethink where you choose to let your child sit on a plane.

Irrespective of the case’s outcome, this is a good opportunity for the FBI to investigate this man thoroughly.