The western mind is certainly dreading the Terrorist attacks. The recent incident (There must be several before too but went unnoticed) does smell racial discrimination. Suspecting is OK, interrogation is OK but pushing them like dogs and then putting them into singular confinement is absolutely ridiculous. They were handcuffed too. A more severe (amounting to legal prosecution involving an Arzentine national with explosives and detonating material was not treated in the same fashion) occurred. Was he heandcuffed or was detained and prisoned in an isolated cell, no. He was not. These things do put a big question mark on the behaviour of the Dutch authorities. I fail to imagine the day to day slurs which the Asian minorities would be facing who reside in western countries. Terrorism is not at all supported and should not be supported, security of the other passengeres should not be compromised but the treatment meted out should not be repeated. I really pity the plight of those passengers and have full sympathy towards them.
this incident involving the frisking of 12 passengers was very unfortunate indeed. this matter is taken to great heights because of the community involved.this was their bad luck.if it were of any other community then this news would have maintained a low profile! security checks have increased thereby adding to the vows of passengers nevertheless increasing their safety too. from this incident a lesson is to be learnt that is to obey the cabin attendents request and not do anything which may invoke a susicion in them.
It seems to be the act made by the dutch people is not racial abuse, rather they acted cautiously for suspicious action. People should think its neccessary to follow the rules, when you break it, you pay for it. why don;t you people wat to jump in the aircraft when its not alloed to it, i have seen this act many times when i travelled to europe.People ignore the crew words and just do their thing. So we need to look back ourself before spitting on others.
Not very long ago me and my wife travelled by Air France to Canada and back. The entire journey experience was a pleasant one. The crew and ground staff every where were very polite and caring. If a passanger shows basic ettiquetts and concern for copassengers and fellow human beings there is no reason why any one will be treated badly any where in the world. People are same every where; it is YOU who has to change
Racial profiling is true specially after 9/11. However, there is a need for better behaviour by the neo rich class of our young air travellers. Most of them behave as if they own the plane and behave badly causing annoyance to other passengers. They should understand the present times and behave decently especially while travelling in US planes wherein the crew and the marshalls are all, on the tender hooks all the times.
Who cares man?. I travelled to US and in US. I was thoroughly checked a few times, but I didn't mind that. I felt it was funny, since the security guys are putting a lot of effort checking me thoroughly and only I know he wouldn't find anything. I travel a lot within India and few times I was checked at the railway station too. If some one feels airline security staff are not courteous just get checked by railway police or for that matter any indian security guys :)) you will find rest of the world very courteous. C'mon guys only the WEAK complain, be STRONG and don't care a damn about it. Change your perspective and you will enjoy every time you are frisked, checked, profiled etc etc. Just try it :))
I am sorry to say that in this entire episode, everybody has missed the wood for tree.
Nobody including our so called elite political leaders, who are guiding light for our people, did not condemn the behavior of passengers on board. Forget for a moment whether they are suspects or not, just imagine the danger of using mobile phone when flight is taking off...Have these 12 people ever realised this? They have learnt a lesson and it is a lesson for all such misguided and religious centered people.
While I sympathize for their hardship as a fellow human being, I have no other sympathy for them.
It is good that the 12 stranded passengers of the North-West flight returned to India. By their reprehensible behaviour, boisterously shouting, exchanging seats, laptops, mobile etc., despite clear warning against it by the crew, they made themselves responsible. They behaved as if they were traveling in a 3-tire coach of Indian Railways unmindful of the present day norm expected of an air-passenger.
What I appreciate is that the Dutch authorities let them off within 30 hrs without any harm to them. What would have been the fate of any Indian in a similar bind say in Pakistan or Bangladesh!
One should not forget the fate of one of our an ex-ministers who had to face much more indignity at a US airport in the wake of 9/11 and for the reasons best known to him he endured it without a fuss at that time.
For the security of one and all, it is natural that we have to forfeit some of our freedom at some strategic time and location. It is immaterial whether you are a Muslim or a non-Muslim.
Something worth considering is that, people who get killed in such plots never get a chance to protest that they were "racially profiled". One, they are innocent people and two, they become targets of religious fanatics.
So if someone was held on reasons of suspicion, why so much chaos? Let the authorities do their work, after all being held is not even close to being killed.. they still have a chance to live life.
Recently some people were held on account of suspicion but in their own words,"were treated well".. so what's the BIG deal about it?
What's more important? Being cautious or "considering someone's" feelings? The recent protests are asking the security measures to act in a anti-racist way, I agree. But then why cause suspicion by talking in an alien language and also not following the security rules? Act like educated mannerful poeple, talk in English (if the need be) and the fact is that no sane person wants to raise suspicion in the 1st place!!!!
What if the authorities let go of such idiots again and they are actually terrorists, these protestors won't then come forward to support the authorities but will demand answers. Something to think about...
I have travelled from US to India few times each time through Frankfurt, London, Paris and Amsterdam (North West). Although the flight attendents in all the flights were helpful, the local airline or security personnel at Amsterdam airport treat Indians very badly. They even check children the same way. Although this week incident may be "misbehavior", I am sure the airport personnel would have made it worse. I suggest avoid flying through Amsterdam. Dutch need to understand the present day world and not live in hysteria.
