A MUSLIM airline captain fell victim to the terror alert at Britain's airports - when he was hauled off a flight as it prepared to leave Manchester for the USA.
Off-duty Amar Ashraf, 28, was settling in his seat as a stand-by passenger on the Continental Airlines' flight to Newark when a stewardess said he had to get off.
Mr Ashraf said he was later told US aviation security chiefs had ordered his removal from the jet, even though he has been security vetted for his job with one of Continental's partner airlines.
He believes that the US authorities had decided he was too much of a risk to be allowed on the flight during yesterday's heightened alert - because he is a British Muslim as well as being a qualified pilot.
Demoralised
The incident happened as authorities in the US were stepping up the terror alert on flights from Britain to "severe".
The aircraft had already pulled away from its stand at Manchester Airport and was getting ready to taxi to the runway when he was led away and his bags were taken from the hold.
Mr Ashraf said: "I felt very demoralised when I had to get off.
"I must have met the profile on the day. I have an Arabic name, I am a Muslim, I'm from Britain and I know how to fly."
Mr Ashraf, from Wrexham, moved to the US when he was 18 and has been based there for a decade. He was flying back to base in the British Virgin Islands when he was stopped.
Continental Airlines said it could not comment on the incident.
Should Mr Ashraf have been removed from the flight? Have your say.
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Katie, Manchester (11/08/2006 at 08:34)
Colin W, Stockholm (11/08/2006 at 08:42)
Commonsense, Manchester (11/08/2006 at 09:13)
Tom, Manchester (11/08/2006 at 09:29)
Little Jockey, Swinton (11/08/2006 at 09:54)
kathryn, manchesterrrrrrrrrrr (11/08/2006 at 09:55)
Vicky, Manchester (11/08/2006 at 10:10)
Steve Allen, MAnchester UK (11/08/2006 at 10:13)
Are american or israely citizens removed from planes to this country in order to check if they are carrying weapons, bombs, to be used in the attacks on lebanon? I dont think so.
Paul, Manchester (11/08/2006 at 10:25)
Paul, Manchester (11/08/2006 at 11:26)
Jack, Manchester (11/08/2006 at 11:37)
Colin W, Stockholm (11/08/2006 at 11:47)
X, Planet X (11/08/2006 at 11:50)
What will happen next now that one of the terrorists arrested was a white convert. Will we all become suspects? Probably a good thing. A number of people in this country (including a few short-sighted idiots commenting on this article) could do with knowing what it feels like to be persecuted for the actions of a minority.
It doesn't matter that several of the 7/7 and 14/7 bombers were black and not middle eastern or pakistani. Richard Reid, the shoe bomber, was pale-skinned. But, oh no, it's the brown-skinned muslims we need to fear.
Stu, Middle-East (11/08/2006 at 11:56)
If he wanted to hijack an aircraft, he has a much better opportunity every time he is in charge of one himself!
I'm in favour of "profiling",even though as a British-born, passport-holding, Ango-Saxon, I get more than my share of "random" checks; probably due to having a passport full of Mid-East stamps (where I live and work)
But this was not "profiling" - this was a (bad) joke. A qualified airline Captain would not be any risk on someone else's flight. Indeed,in certain situations he could be literally a life-saver.
Whoever responsible should be fired as totally incompetent!
terry, tyldesley (11/08/2006 at 11:59)
L, London (11/08/2006 at 12:24)
Noel, Eccles (11/08/2006 at 12:34)
Commonsense, Manchester (11/08/2006 at 12:39)
DAve, Altricham (11/08/2006 at 12:42)
Let's not forget that yesterdays actions were in response to a perceived threat - no actual breach of security took place, or attempt was committed.
RD, UK (11/08/2006 at 12:42)
You're happy for him to control your plane and make sure you land safely, but not for him to fly home!
It's like the captain who had his razor confiscated on the grounds he could use it to gain control of the plane!
Andrew, London (11/08/2006 at 13:31)
Airport security was not breached yesterday, but they still immediately assume it is not good enough. In which case we've all been living in shocking danger every time we fly for the last how many years?
And, er, hello, 35,000 feet in a metal tube? That sounds dangerous. As does being allowed to drive a car, certainly below the age of thirty.
And why are they not screening train passengers, coz one of those might be blown up.
And why are cigarettes still sold, coz they def kill people, thousands EVERY YEAR!
And don't get me started on alcohol, or going out in the sun, or not crossing the road at the right place, or not washing your hands before you eat chips.
We are allowing our government to screw us down in a climate of fear. Sure, there's a threat. Doesn't mean we should panic.
maxxie, ashton-u-lyne (11/08/2006 at 13:38)
J A Dodd, USA (11/08/2006 at 13:50)
The voice of reason, hyde (11/08/2006 at 13:54)
J the EL, Mancunia.. (11/08/2006 at 14:03)
however, in my opinion isn't the obvious staring everyone in the face?
what about armed police on all high risk flights? obvious...