April 8, 2010
A Qatari diplomat, who touched off a security scare on a Denver-bound flight when he tried to sneak a cigarette, has been released without charges and will probably leave the United States, authorities said Thursday.
In another twist, a spokeswoman for the Qatar Embassy said that the diplomat, Mohammed Madadi, was heading to Denver on official business, including a visit to Ali Marri, a citizen of Qatar who is serving a prison sentence after pleading guilty last year to conspiracy in connection with the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.
Rest of the Story (http://www.latimes.com/news/nation-and-world/la-na-flight-smoke9-2010apr09,0,7961064.story)
Quote
When confronted, the diplomat made a sarcastic comment about lighting his shoes, officials said.
I think this caused more of the scare then anything. People still haven't figured out yet that making flipant remarks in certain situations now isn't exactly acceptable.
Yes and his little flippant remark-- costs taxpayers thousands of dollars! (http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2010/04/08/midair-security-scare-qatari-diplomat-costs-taxpayers-thousands/)
Quote from: MorningStar on April 08, 2010, 07:44:36 PM
Yes and his little flippant remark-- costs taxpayers thousands of dollars! (http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2010/04/08/midair-security-scare-qatari-diplomat-costs-taxpayers-thousands/)
When he was caught smoking in the bathroom, he allegedly responded with something along the order of "Well, it's not like I was lighting my shoes or something" and on the basis of that, they scrambled two jets to intercept the plane.
It was universal stupidity all around.
The bottom line here is that it is good to have a black passport! (Diplomatic)
Wish I could get one...
Smoking in airplane lavatories is against the rules, period. Smokers put unextinguished butts in the trash which can cause real problems. This is from a friend that is a retired Airline pilot.
Quote from: Red Arrow on April 08, 2010, 11:08:09 PM
Smoking in airplane lavatories is against the rules, period.
....Unless you have diplomatic immunity. No charges were filed.
Exclusionary elitism is good. If you are one of the elitists. Just ask George and Dick. They will tell you. I mean, how else could you shoot someone while drunk and then get the victim to apologize to you for being so much in the way?