Yes I think dutch authorities were right this time, the behavior shown by the guys inside was not acceptable. I believe both in domestic as well as international flights, manners shown by us in acceptable. We dont bother about what the cabin crew is saying. If switching of mobile phone is said that it is something for our safety, but guys dont understand it. It has happened a lot of time in my personal visits that Indians (especially) have been found guilty of breaking the rules. Time has come when we should understand that outside of India we are ambassadors of our country and should make it proud.
Guys, I think we are making too much out of nothing. No where did dutch authorities say that they are detained on terrorism charges. Did they? If someone doesnt wanna wear seat belts.doesnt switchoff mobiles and you expect airlines not to take action/question them...what else do you expect? Their families say that they are frequent travellers. If they are so,dont they know the rules and regulations? As far as subjecting us to extra checking in american and europian airports is concerned,i agrre with all of you to an extent but tell me a way how they can separate you ro me with a terrorist who comes from our own asian countries. Isnt it a fact that most of the terror atatcks happened in this world are from some asian countries. It is always better to be prevent than cure. Guys,dont cry too much.Whether you travel by air india or any carrier,be ready for all checks.If you feel so bad,stop travelling to these countries.Do your job/business in India. We need US dollars but hate checks. Its not fair.
I went to St. Louis few days back. This is my third trip to US and second in one year's time. Time has changed. It seems the security has increased, the checks were inevitable, but I felt the same treatment with all passengers including US passengers to voluntarily take out belts, shoes, laptops, key chains etc. for security checks. I felt it bad in my last year's visit when they asked me to remove shoes, but this time it is a habit now. I don't think they offend any Asians, we feel that we are harrased if they ask more questions and check suspicially. We should now accept it.
After reading all of those messages above, one things seems quite clear. We indians are stupid people. Our social courtesies are zero at best. we seem to think that just like we can get away without following any rules in our country, we can do the same in the rest of the world. thats not happening. im not sorry for those morons playing with their cellphones. its quite clearly announced to switch them off and keep them aside. and thats done in english and hindi. enjoy the dutch prisons now.
Even though Racial bias does exist in certain western countries, this particular incident does not reflect of the same. It was purely due to the indiscipline of the 12 passengers who did not follow flight regulations that got them into such a mess. Had they switched off their cell phones and remained seated, I am sure nothing of this sort would have happened. Even in India, passengers do not switch off their phones during domestic flights inspite of repeated requests from the crew. Not all countries tolerate such indiscipline.
I don't remember any racial profiling. I don't blame the airline for their reaction. Actually my feeling is that these people beahved in the way they did hoping to get exactly the results they got. Thir thinking is : We are not terrorists. We will behave to raise suspicion in others. If we succeed in raising suspecion, then we can blame the whole world for racial profiling. That is what they palnned and that is what they got. This is indirect terrorism. This is done only to show all anti-terror activities in poor light. Indian agencies should continue to investigate the matter. Even if they feel harassed, they deserve it for their behavior. In these days of so much news about air related terrorisnm, they should have behaved responsibly. The fact that they did not smells of 'plot'
i cringe when i see some young indians on planes behaving as if none of the rules apply to them. what is wrong with listening to the crew and turning off your phones and laptops and staying in your seats when asked to. it is appalling and if this is what caused concern on the plane serve them right.
Unfortunately, the current situation is that any passenger having a muslim name and sporting a beard is suspected , regardless of nationality . In the current scene, I cannot fault the sky marshals or the judgement of the pilots in turning the aircraft back to AMS . However, the interrogation time by the Dutch security agencies should not have been more than 24 hrs at the maximum and consular access as desired by the Indian Government should have provided readily . Unfotunately, we are living in difficult and dangerous times, and it is a case of once bitten twice shy.
I have visited Europe number of times. In Feb, 2002, I had taken North West flight to Amsterdam. This was first time, I was experiencing an American hospitality. From the very begining, the crew was ARROGANT. No politeness, no courtesy. The lady crew was not even ready to assit a child who was about to vomit (US citizen but Indian). The crew was behaving as if everybody was a novice on this airline.
While shareing experience with my European friends, they were of same opinion... how come North West and KLM are partners (one is arrogant US airline while other is a sober and polite Dutch airline known for its hospitality). Since that flight, flying North West is my last choice.
When doctor are blowign up trains.. and engineers are masterminding hijacking...profiling will take place.. before commenting on the topic pls consider the psyche of a nation which saw the symbol of thier nation "the WTC" being crached by some lunatics..
Why do weforget that the all the terror plots all around the world has an islamic connection to it and people from that religion will surely have to face such measures..
it is the price which the muslims has to pay for not stemming the menace of terrorism in its buds in thier backyards..
