Can Airport Security Deal With Non-Terrorist Outbursts?
Jan. 14, 2010— -- No terrorist attempts have surfaced since President Obama's call for a surge in airplane security and air marshals following the alleged attempt on Christmas Day to bomb a commercial airline flight, but alert personnel have already caught the inevitable misunderstood outbursts and confrontations with passengers while on the lookout for terrorists.
Last week Mansor Asad, 43, was taxiing on a Detroit-bound Northwest Airlines flight leaving Miami International Airport when he allegedly said he wanted to "kill all the Jews," according to police.
Asad had no weapon and made no specific threat to the crew, but his outburst was more than enough to prompt his removal from the flight and for police to conduct a security sweep.
His son, Mickey Asad, 27, of Toledo Ohio, said that his father had bipolar disorder, but he believes the incident had to do with a misunderstanding and tensions escalated because of people's fear flying today.
"With the way things are in the world right now, you expect that. Everyone's alert and everyone's just waiting for it," said Asad.
Once off the flight, Asad was Tasered twice in a scuffle with police officers, allegedly telling one, "I'm not afraid of you cops, I've gotten in fights with cops in Ohio and broke their arms in three places," according to police reports.
The incident is just one of several security snafus testing the increased security measures following the attempted Christmas Day bombing of Northwest Airlines Flight 253.
On Jan. 6, security officials sent two F-15 fighter jets to escort a Portland, Ore.-bound flight from Hawaii after officials said a passenger filled out a "distrubing" comment card and wanted to remain close to his carry on bag. The card asked "what if the plane ripped apart in mid-flight," and made references to the 1960s TV sitcom "Gilligan's Island," according to Associated Press reports.
While increased security is intended to catch a terrorist, history shows it will also catch a significant number of disturbed but innocuous outbursts from angry passengers or those suffering from mental illness.
The Transportation Security Association and at least one airline that responded to interview requests from ABCNews.com have said air marshals and flight attendants are trained to handle emotional outbursts of people suffering from mental illness.
Nelson Minerla, Federal Air Marshal spokesman, said all federal air marshals "receive training in sensitivity and awareness," including practiced scenarios that range from a 9-11 style hijacking to an "emotionally disturbed" person or a drunk and disorderly person.
