Criminal offence

[Scotman84]

Since when did claustrophobia become a criminal offence in America ?
A claustrophobic woman 'acted suspiciously' on an American flight, so it diverted and she (at 60 years old) has been arrested !!! Are these people manic ??????

[wonderwoman1]

on real radio news tonight, the news reader said that it was believed the woman had a screwdriver, a box of matches and some lighter fluid in her hand luggage and then it ended with the news reader saying the woman had suffered from a panic attack and didnt have the items on her at all!!!! how the two are linked is beyond me!!! in answer to your question, its all becoming a bit odd. i am due to fly out on thursday and i am frightened of flying at the best of times, so the stories on the news are not helping!!!!
xx

[violetblue]

I suppose they may be making use of the 'profiling' technique in the light of the current maximum security alert, regarding 'suspicious' behaviour. If I'd been on the flight, I'd be relieved to think that she had been taken off, though arresting her seems somewhat draconic.

[Grunty]

Why shouldn't claustrophobia be illegal? It is already illegal in the UK to shout 'rubbish' at a politician, to photograph a motorway bridge, to wear a T-shirt suggesting that the Iraq war is wrong, to read the Independent, to drink a cup of tea near the Houses of Parliament, to try to deliver a letter to New Scotland Yard complaining about an officer at Charing Cross police station etc.

[steve208]

Whilst I do not agree with the last post on here listing all the things that would seem to be illegal, I must say this: the americans totally overreacted to an inocent incident.

Even if this woman was being distruptive then divert the plane by all means but dont call up a fighter escort. Anyway 60 year old woman with what now emerges to be hand cream and some matches....that hardley matches (no pun intended) the profile.

[violetblue]

Also, I think that a claustrophobic woman having a panic attack could cause problems not of a criminal nature but of causing general panic to spread, as many passengers must have been working very hard to keep their own nerves under control. If there is noone on board qualified to take her to a separate area and help her (it seems sensible to have someone with such skills on board), then for her own sake and for the comfort of other passengers, she needs to be taken off, just like someone who is drunk and exhibiting disruptive behaviour beyond their control, as her behaviour seemed to be beyond hers. Criminality, however, is a separate issue. Don't worry wonderwoman1, and have a good journey.

[violetblue]

Sorry to hog this thread, Scotman, but what has age got to do with it? Being 60 doesn't make her risk-free.

And why should she be allowed to carry on board hand cream when everyone else knows it's banned as it is, at present, considered a potential risk?

[chazza]

On the radio this morning it interviewed a fellow passenger who was sitting near the emergency exit doors and watched her being restrained as she tried to open the doors from the inside. I think that is definitely acting suspiciously and cause for arrest.

Many people suffer panic attacts but don't attempt to put hundreds of peoples lives in danger

[trionam]

I am a really bad flyer and I had a panic attack once coming back from amsterdam I wouldnt wish this experiance on anyone and I agree with steve208 that someone to take her to a separate area and calm her down would have been the thing to do in my case the airhostess was brilliant she brought me to the front of the plane where there were a few empty seats and totally calmed me down just my sitting beside me and reassurring me, it made all the difference.I think in light of whats happended I think that people will be more nervous and could be prone to somthing like this happening,If cabin crew got some extra traning on how to handle this it could make a big difference.

[trionam]

sorry I meant I agree with violetblue.

[jenstar]

Still, since it's the USA she'll no doubt sue the airline for millions of dollars, and quite right too.

[violetblue]

If it's true that she was indeed trying to open the plane door i don't think she'd stand much chance of winning, even in the USA!

[Rock'n'Roll]

Are the cabin crew medical experts? how were they to know she suffered from claustophobia and how long into the flight before this claustophobia surfaced. As far as they were aware and concerned,there was a passenger behaving hysterically and they took appropriate measures to safeguard the rest on board. Her arrest was pobably normal procedure until all facts are verified

[jonnythebosh]

Have some of you forgotten that thousands of people could have been killed last week? This woman might have only been having a panic attack but couple that with having banned items with her and i think that the Yanks had every right to be cautious.

[drestie]

You should be careful who you condemn. Remember that you only get bits and pieces of the information that the police and US government have. More info came out today that gives plenty support to the actions taken by the authorities: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060818/ap_on_re_u s/flight_diverted

[cascarelli]

Hmm, doesnt sound much like claustrophobia to me when you read that yahoo news item. She sounds like a weirdo. I wouldnt want to be on the same flight as her

[Pajama Girl]

You should be careful who you condemn. So quick to condemn the US on little to no evidence.

Here is an article from the Washington Times
http://www.washtimes.com/national/20060817-111 533-1828r.htm

The woman made many threatening remarks, paced back and forth from the front lavatory to the back, asked if the flight attendant "Is this a training flight for United 93?", and urinated in the aisle of the airplane.

"Are these people manic?" you ask. No, they did the right thing.

[Andy2306]

she had a screwdriver!!! aint that on the list of things NOT allowed on the plane along with matches and the vaseline she had! i dnt blame the pilot for makin the desicion, if she did end up going proper doo-lally she cud have killed some1 (or more)