To the applause of fellow passengers, the Jewish designer was escorted from a New York flight as a potential bomber.
He (Mr Stein) has since been told by airline staff he was targeted because he was using an iPod, had used the toilet when he got on the plane and that his tan made him appear "Arab".
...he was pounced on as the crew and other travellers looked on. The drama unfolded less than an hour into the flight. As he settled down with a book and a ginger ale, the father-of-three was grabbed from behind and held in a head-lock.
"This guy just told me his name was Michael Wilk, that he was with the New York Police Department, that I'd been acting suspiciously and should stay calm.
American Airlines apologised to Mr Stein, who was born in New York, but withdrew an initial offer of $2,000 compensation on the grounds it would be an admission of liability. In a letter dated 30 May, the airline said it had done everything possible to try and protect Mr Stein.
It read: "Unfortunately, as in any public gathering, there may be occasions when a conflict arises between people or when one individual's actions bother another... As our crew members may not always be witness to the inappropriate acts of a particular passenger, there may be a limit to what our crews can do to improve behaviour that is perceived as a nuisance."
In a twist to the story, Mr Stein has since discovered that there is only one Michael Wilk on the NYPD's official register of officers, but the man retired 25 years ago. Officials have told the architect that his assailant may work for another law enforcement agency but have refused to say which one.
story | The Independent
~Travelers being mistaken as terrorists and 'arrested' by fellow citizens is something that happens more than we'll ever know. Sans headlocks?
If Michael Wilk was an air-marshal he would have identified himself?
This flight didn't have an air marshall? It had an air marshall but he or she didn't see the need to get involved?
I wonder if Michael Wilk, or whoever he is ...I'm guessing he is a Wilk, perhaps not Michael and he works security for the Port Authority or public housing...will soon be arrested for assault and impersonating a NYPD officer. Assault on an airplane is a federal offense.
Most likely a cash settlement (or free flights!) that Mr.Stein's lawyers are now working to extract from American Airlines' deeper pockets will discourage prosecutors from finding let alone charging Mr.Wilk, especially if he's from a family of NY's finest.
thanks Conscientious
Posted by Stubbornson at October 1, 2006 12:55 PM