During one of my flights from Amsterdam to Detroit by NW Airlines in 2001, I requested the cabin crew for water. I shocked to hear from her that I can drink the water from toilet taps! I told her it is not fair to treat like that (toilet water might be fit for dringking but we Indians dont have that dirty practice)! If an American or English persons asks for drinks, they would be served even multiple times. I was really pizzed off by the treatment.
Its sad but can't help. Its like being safe I think. They have no options left but to suspect the particular community names. Its sad but biter truth and these religious groups who started terror are sole responsible for this. If this goes on then I fear people would be double screened before boarding and asian people have to be extra cautious...
Not at all I have been to europe 2 times in last months.Never faced any thing of this kind.Infact in Vienna Airport I saw them asking two white persons to take their shoes off & put it in xray machine.
Infact how we behave at airports is enough for the persons to scan us & also we should understand the situation & cooperate if any situation demands that. As the world is going thru a security nightmare what chances we have if the problem exists at 20000 feet above???
I think we are just making too much out of the issue. It is a fact that the Terrorist activities that are happening through out the world are executed by people of Asian and Middle-east origin. So, if some one misbehaves in a plane there is no option but to take the action as taken in the North West airline staff. I feel those 24 Indians have actually brought down the name of Indians by misbehaving in the plane.
I think the authorities did exactly what they should have done in this kind of a situation. Nobody can afford to take a risk in an aircraft, when some people start behaving suspiciously, ignoring the requests and warnings of the cabin crew. All the press reports say that the detained passengers behaved irrationally. So, they just got what they deserved. I strongly deny the chances of any racial or religious discrimination in this matter. There is no need to raise such hue and cry over this. After all, safety of the passengers is of prime importance over anything else. Once something happens, all the fingers will be unfailingly pointing towards security lapses. So, this should be considered just as a security measure, rather than a racial harassment.
Yes I do feel Air passengers are racially profiled. But considering recent terror related events in Europe, I would call the Europeans fools if they do not do double checking of Asians. We Asians and Indians are very fond of calling the Europeans 'Racist' without the least regard for their feelings and security.
"ASIANS DO NOT HAVE ANY MORAL RIGHT TO POINT FINGER AT EUROPEANS"
A part of the problem lies with the people themselves. The indifferent attitude towards courtesy , politeness and gentlemen demenour may be flouted in the subcontinent, But, ought to be adhered where it is required. Be a Roman in Rome!
