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Subscribe to RSSUpdated Feb. 23, 10:25 a.m. ET --
PORTLAND -- A flight out of Portland International Airport returned to the terminal Tuesday, after the flight crew had a problem with a belligerent Saudi Arabian passenger who was yelling about terrorism, according to authorities.
Yazeed Mohammed Abunayyan was “yelling profanities and swinging his fist at the flight attendant, hitting or attempting to hit several passengers, and speaking or singing about Usama [Osama] bin Laden and his hatred of women,” according to court documents obtained by KGW.
He was charged Wednesday in federal court with interfering with the operation of the aircraft.
A cousin flying with him said Abunayyan suffers from schizophrenia. He was headed home to see his ill mother and had not taken his medication for several weeks, according to a report in the Medford Mail Tribune.
The cousin, Fahad Alsubaie, 21, told the paper he was escorted off the plane with Abunayyan. Alsubaie said the disruption began after a flight attendant confronted the two for sitting together, because Alsubaie was in the wrong seat.
"I was going to ride back with him, just to make sure he was safe. They didn't want us to sit together," said Alsubaie, a Saudi Arabian exchange student studying English at Southern Oregon University in Ashland.
Abunayyan was arrested Sunday in Ashland for DUI and several other charges after police said he hit two patrol cars and nearly ran over a pedestrian during a police chase, according to the Ashland Daily Tidings paper.
On the plane, witnesses said Abunayyan refused to turn off an electronic cigarette when asked by airline staff, according to Port of Portland spokesman Steve Johnson. Then, the pilot decided to return to PDX, where Abunayyan and his companion were escorted off the plane.
Cell phone video shared with KGW by a passenger on the flight showed the man getting escorted off the plane. Passengers said he disobeyed the flight crew and started yelling. Then, other passengers tackled him.
"Every guy who was in my area was ready to go. It was not even a thought. You could tell buckles were off. People were already leaning toward the aisles," one passenger recalled.
"It almost made me cry to see the way everybody responded. Because the gentlemen that could help got up and helped the stewardess. She was just a little bitty thing," another passenger explained.
Continental Airlines also issued this official statement: "Continental flight 1118, Portland to Houston, returned to Portland when a passenger refused to obey the 'No Smoking' sign. The flight landed safely, without incident at approximately 1:15 p.m. local and was met by local law enforcement. The passenger and traveling companion were taken off the plane. The flight resumed and departed Portland at approximately 2:05 p.m. local"
E-cigarettes, which heat a liquid nicotine solution, are not specifically prohibited by the Transportation Safety Administration, like tobacco cigarettes, but they are banned by Continental Airlines.
This story originally appeared on KGW.com, the NBC News affiliate in Portland, Ore. The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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Leave a Comment:
This is totally stupid, why didn't they just let the idiot puff til he stopped was not real harm done and then have police involved when they landed,was a policy pissin contest between the airline and passenger and the passengers lost. How many people missed connecting flights? late for meetings? family members left waiting for passengers to arrive? THIS IS DUMB DUMB DUMB and the airline should be either taken to court or the pilot or person responsible for the aircraft landing fired due to DUMBNESS!!!
Airlines... never missing an opportunity to underwhelm it's passengers.... and the general public for that matter.
It's really unfortunate that the politically correct MSNBC can't print the rest of the story.
http://www.khow.com/pages/boyles.html?article=9794495#.T0U5OLUFZUs.email
Interesting news report from KHOU. Sounds like Continental did not want to mention the 'Allah is Great!' ranting of the passenger.
I have a feeling that the passenger's were more concerned with the "Allah is great" chants than they were with the e-cig.
It never ceases to amaze me how people can be so inconsiderate and not wanting to follow rules. I'm sure Continental failed to mention the ALLAH part for not playing into the hand of these idiots that will turn around and attempt sue the airline.
Seems like they will take advantage and plot any scenario to either spew propaganda or mik it for $$$.
John, it is you who are stupid. We will no longer allow some towel-head to victimize us… and, there is no court in this country that would convict us of wrong doing as they (the towel heads) have already set a precedent of putting us in fear for our lives. I’m from New Hampshire where it is ‘Live free or die’; those are your choices … pick one.
E-Cig have been known to explode and catch on fire. It's a flammable device. Read you flight ticket and follow the rules like everyone else.
He sounds like a terrorist to me. If I was there, I would have kicked him in the nuts and tied him up. GI Joe
To all you naive and politically-correct respondents who just can't understand why this young man's actions caused alarm:
Grow up!
If you would not sense alarm when, during a flight - your flight, a young, middle-eastern-looking man becomes vocally and/or physically disruptive, and begins chanting some sort of hysteria-induced phrase about "Allah"....then you are too deeply into your torpor to offer a reasonable view on this event.
Coloradoan--the video doesn't shed any more light on the incident than this article.
People suffering from schizophrenia should not be allowed to fly unless they can prove they have taken their medications that day.
.
Exactly BMette, the e-cig is not the story. The guy was loud, disruptive, violent, and started spewing allah akbar crap. Revoke his student visa, deport him back to Saudi Arabia, put his name on a no fly list,and ban him from ever entering the U.S. again
Nothing wrong with that. Just let him go right ahead with it.
Just let him puff away...
Maybe you missed this all the way back in 2009.
Deport both of them and their entire families.
How could anyone have a rational conversation with someone who considers those of different cultures to be "towel heads?" Why is our country so full of a reluctance to learn, understand, and tolerate, and why does the bulk of this country choose instead to live in blind hatred?
This type of mentality greatly contributes to the continual self destruction of America and its love affair with all things negative.
I guess my hestitancy to learn, understand and tolerate "towel heads" is because of their desire to destroy my culture and me!!! Should I apologize for being in self survival mode? You know you self-righteous, "tolerant", holier than thee, thou and everybody else are sickening!!! Talking bout self-hatred and an identity problem. Get real for the love of allah!!!!!
A bigot is a bigot is a bigot
What a crock ! The e-cigaterrts are not banned by the TSAstapo, so how could he face a federal charge for violating Continental's policy ? I suppose he would have been taken off the flight if he had a picture of a cigarette and refused to put it away. Things like this, and a Continental flight in Houston a few years ago forgetting to put the wheels down before landing, along with their outrageous fares are reasons I won't fly Continental. I'd take the bus first.
How is that GED working for you buddy?
They are however not allowed by Continental policy on planes they own and/or operate . . .
T
If you look at the real story as reported through other media outlets, you would see that he became defiant and argumentative to the flight staff. That in itself is cause for ejection from the flight and a violation of federal law. He just landed himself on the no-fly list and I hope the others on the flight sue him for their inconveniences and costs incurred.
Look, any passenger that acts like an idiot and does not obey flight attendants, should be booted off the plane.
Umm, because it is Continental's policy, not the TSA's? They have the perfect right to set whatever policy they wish. If Continental sets a policy that mandates that you wear a blue tie and green shirt on their planes, you either follow it or not fly Continental - those are your choices.
I'd say the bus is your normal mode of transport in any case.
Sounds safe to me. Even after it already caused a fire on a aircraft.
Continental had to stop and eject this man; he was disruptive and yelling about Osama bin Laden for gosh sakes. However, I can easily believe he's schizophrenic, because no sensible terrorist would act this way, for sure; he drew maximum attention to himself and ranted incoherently until they threw him off the plane. He was really only a threat to himself, but if I'd been a passenger on that plane, I'd have been totally freaked out by this guy.
I have a acquaintance with schizophrenia that the exact same thing happened to. In her case, though, she was not Muslim, so her preoccupations were not so politically incorrect. She was mostly ranting about the individual voices in her head. In her case, they are not charging her with terrorism or whatever they're charging this man with, but the fact is, these two people are in the exact same state. A few weeks after the plane incident, she freaked out in a local movie theater, and must now go to court for that. She will not fare particularly well, no doubt. Nor will this man. We used to put mentally ill people in institutions, where they were often mistreated; now we treat them by jailing them, where they are invariably mistreated. Not a great step forward.
As a society, we just have a very difficult time dealing with schizophrenics.
I suppose it's still considered smoking even if I don't agree with it. Some restaurants won't even let you use those here. If it were me, I would have just put the darn thing away.
It may be "considered" smoking, but if it goes to court there will be lots of lawyers getting richer by the time they determine whether or not it "is" smoking.
Another example of not being to satisy the whiny *ss soccer mom types. When you actually try to comply with their wishes, they STILL find something to b*tch about.
Most people who use e-cigarettes are considerate and intelligent enough to not create an incident like this. Even though there is no smoke, no fire, in an e-cigarette, if the airline asked him to stop, he should have done so. That said, "vaping" e-cigarettes should not be confused with the use of real tobacco. They've never been shown to be dangerous like real tobacco products are, and they have allowed hundreds of thousands of people (like me) to stop smoking.
Dude. Take a biology course. Nicotine, with or without all the other nasty ingredients in tobacco products, is a carcinogen (causes cancer). e-cigarettes contain nicotine. Some of that vaporized nicotine is going to go someplace other than the e-cigarette user's lungs.
Yes, e-cigarettes are safer for second-hand exposures than smokes, but that doesn't make them 100% harmless. And - just in case you haven't given this any thought - it doesn't cure your nicotine addiction, either, so you technically haven't "quit."
I love it when ppl speak out there AS& holes..
"Historically, nicotine has not been regarded as a carcinogen and the IARC has not evaluated nicotine in its standalone form and assigned it to an official carcinogen group. While no epidemiological evidence supports that nicotine alone acts as a carcinogen in the formation of human cancer."
I have a friend that used to use an e-cig. I asked him to not use it around me while indoors. They do create a foul unpleasant odor for those around you. Arguably not as bad as a cigarette, but still foul.
Hey Paul - seems your quote was not quite complete:
"research over the last decade has identified nicotine's carcinogenic potential in animal models and cell culture. Nicotine has been noted to directly cause cancer through a number of different mechanisms such as the activation of MAP Kinases. Indirectly, nicotine increases cholinergic signalling (and adrenergic signalling in the case of colon cancer), thereby impeding apoptosis (programmed cell death), promoting tumor growth, and activating growth factors and cellular mitogenic factors such as 5-LOX, and EGF. Nicotine also promotes cancer growth by stimulating angiogenesis and neovascularization. In one study, nicotine administered to mice with tumors caused increases in tumor size (twofold increase), metastasis (nine-fold increase), and tumor recurrence (threefold increase). (nine-fold increase), and tumor recurrence (threefold increase)."
I'm sure Paul didn't mean to leave that part out.....
found on wiki
Ok, I am officially a non-smoker after years of smoking. What the heck is wrong with the e-cig? There is no smell, the "smoke" is a vapor and even the TSA has not banned them. Smokers have bent to the will of the non smoking public, relegated to cold patio's and in some cases completely removed from outdoor areas. What is wrong with the e-cig? No second hand smoke, no smell, not bugging you. Get over it.
Is it that smokers have been bent to the will of the non-smoking public or is it that they should follow the social rules of common courtesy just like everyone else? TSA has nothing to do with the no smoking policy on board the tight constrained quarters of an aircraft, you can still bring cigarettes thru screening no problem (good luck with matches and/or lighters thou). I don't think there's anything wrong with the e-cig, but just because it isn't explicitly prohibited by the airline doesn't mean it is allowed. Airline regs in this case are permissive not prohibitive; they typically have a list of "approved electronic devices" and if e-cigs aren't on that approved list, then they are not allowed. When in doubt, always do as directed by the flight crew and Get over it.
Yes, there is an odor, although you typically have to be in close quarters to notice it as it does dissipate quickly. That odor is foul and unpleasant.
The airline is entitled to have whatever policies they want. And, if this passenger doesn't want to comply with those policies, he can find alternate transportation. Anyone who flies knows that flight attendants give a briefing before take off. Included is the statement that passengers must comply with crew member instructions. Because the airlines conduct business across state lines, failure to comply is considered a federal offense.
Since smoking in flight (on US flights) has been illegal for many more years than e-cigarettes have been available, this passenger was selfish in the extreme. It would have been simple for him to find out the airline's policy before boarding, done what he needed to do to satisfy his need for nicotine before boarding and the incident would never have occurred.
Blame the individual, not the carrier.
What a selfish jacka$$. The airline has a policy against using them on-board. Very simple -- don't do it!
Too bad any fines he may incur won't go to compensate all of the other passengers he inconvenienced by his specialness.
Expecting rational behavior from a drug addict is like expecting calculus from a dog.
Federal charges for breaking Continental Airlines rules??? Stupid.
There is a bit more to this story. "Muslims Screaming "Allah Is Great" Arrested After Causing Disturbance Continental Flight To Houston"
Read more: http://www.khow.com/pages/boyles.html?article=9794495#.T0U5OLUFZUs.email#ixzz1n8jlbFNp
If it were me, I would have just put the darn thing away.
Some people are highly addicted to cigarettes. They can become belligerent and combative when anyone interferes with their smoking. Even teens can become so addicted that they will risk getting suspended from school for smoking on school property.
One local woman was afraid of her husband when he didn't get his "snuff" fix. He became verbally and physically abusive - unless - he had the stuff in his mouth all the time - sat at dinner table and ate with the stuff in his mouth - went to sleep with it in his mouth.
The younger they start - the more they seem to be addicted. Keep in mind - it is often an adult who gets kids started - and - that adult is often a relative - a parent or an uncle. Addicts have a need to create other addicts - that way they increase their access to the drug.
Many would like to see those kids who got started by an adult - SUE the adult - maybe that would make adults think twice before giving tobacco products to kids.
LOL - anyone remember when the Big Tobacco companies had the public convinced that smoking was "habit forming" - not - addictive?
I have smoked all my life and recently completed a non-stop flight from Los Angeles to Bangkok (18 hours) without an e-cig or anything else. It is the airlines policy, they cross state lines so breaking their policies is a federal offense. If anyone should be blamed/fired/sued for missed meetings, connecting flights, etc, etc is should be the inconsiderate basturd that felt he was above the rules. I love people like this who cannot comply... gives me an extra empty seat in my row to spread out into!
Just sit back and enjoy and your overcrowded, overly expensive flight. The flight attendants are there to give you poor service and bad attitude. And if you think it is going to get any better, forget about it!
mohamahead is gay
And a pederast
Wasn't it a week ago that a guy was using an e-cigarette and it exploded in his face? Maybe this guy rigged his e-cig to blow up the plane!
/tinfoilhat
I doubt that this story is really about and ecig and is much more about the shouting about Allah.
I used a ecig to finally quit smoking after 42 yrs of it when nothing else worked at all. The ecig worked almost like magic.
Smell? there are hundreds of different flavors of ecig so I suppose someone might not like the scent of some of them , but it dissipates rapidly and is just water vapor. There simply is no nicotene in the exhaled vapor to endanger anyone , as far as I can see Wiki is not a reliable source for nicotene information LOL>
Anyone can write on wiki whatever they want to .From what I read now , there is actually studies being done because there is a good possibility that nicotine can prevent altzimers or delay the onset of it .
Interesting studies , I hope it works out well .
I miss this nation's good sense of humour....we're worried about fake cigarettes and BS .....meanwhile for the last 40 years of my life I've read about serial killers and terrorists and all manner of loser...., and for all of the "panties in a bunch" reactions that the public serves in every individual case scenario, none of the truly bad behaviour in our (or any) society has ceased...obviously the route we are taking is not working...so read up America, then take your back belt loop and pull upward as hard as you can....lets see what does.
Ought OH I smell a law suit on the Free Speech Thing!
I 'm surprised at the number of people here who are hung up on this idiot's e-cig. Something tells me it was his rant about Bin Laden, his anti female comments and his combative nature that really got him into trouble. Still, you learn something new everyday....driving under the influence prior to getting on his flight? I thought Saudi's frowned on alcohol use and went after foreigners in their country who break the rules? Please tell me we can throw the book at him....
That's because the original version of this story said the man was kicked off for use of the e-cig. There was originally NO mention whatsover of the fighting, threats about bin Laden, or any of that other stuff. It was written as if the smoking was the only issue.
MSNBC later changed the story, rather dramatically. But the comments people have posted remain unchanged.
Kikaiju
Ahh - that makes sense. Thanks for the clarification. Funny how stories unfold.....
The hell with throw the book at him, throw the whole damned bookshelf at him.
This event, coupled with the DUI and hitting 2 patrol cars, should be cause enough to deport this jerk and never allow him back into the country.
Agreed DebG, put him on a slow boat for home ... if they'll have him.
Jeez....Seems like the terrorist don't need to lift a finger. The US is so paranoid now. Still..if he did take a swing at people that is enough reason to put the plane down and kick his a$$.
Anyway what was he doing travelling?. If he had a case pending, surely he would have been advised he cannot travel in the interim.
I use ecigs on planes all the time. No one will know if you're discreet. You can use them in the head and they won't set off the smoke alarm or stink. I've even sat in my seat and "stealth" vaped without the person next to me knowing. It's kept me off tobacco for two years and theirs nothing in what you exhale but water vapor. My ecig is no more dangerous to you than me wearing a nicotine patch.
I would be careful with the ecigs...a man in Fla. just had his jaw blown off from a faulty battery in his ecig!
I use ecigs on planes all the time. No one will know if you're discreet. You can use them in the head and they won't set off the smoke alarm or stink. I've even sat in my seat and "stealth" vaped without the person next to me knowing. It's kept me off tobacco for two years and theirs nothing in what you exhale but water vapor. My ecig is no more dangerous to you than me wearing a nicotine patch.
They should have let the flight continue on. Once the plane was over water, pop the door open and given him a bin Laden style burial at sea.