Michael Leary - Racial Profiling

[Deskdiary]

Michael Leary has been accused of encouraging racism.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-51596125

But he's right, isn't he?

When it comes to safety, what's wrong with profiling?

[retrocop]

//Then - what about single women travelling alone? //

When I was on an aircraft operated by Air Malta at Luqqa airport in the New Year our flight was returned to the stand prior to take off and three separate Muslim women were asked to come forward individually and step off the aircraft by the Operations Manager.
They had flown to Malta and were on this transfer flight to the UK from Cairo. One had children and another,apparently was not on the flight manifest in the name given. They all had to identify their luggage which I assume was searched. One male from the Cairo transfer flight, who happened to be sitting across the aisle from me was also oiked off.This necessary action delayed our take off by two hours but I later learnt that there had been a terrorist outrage in Egypt just after these people took off for Malta.I was quite relieved that the Muslim guy fell asleep immediately after take off. To the best of my knowledge there were no complaints with regard to the flight delay from fellow passengers. Only the guy from Egypt's transfer flight.

[mushroom25]

//how are the airports (in this instance) to identify "males of a Muslim persuasion" //

there's no hard and fast way to do this - but many (but admittedly not all) muslims will have Arabic names, which will be displayed in passports.

[Ellipsis]

O'Leary is such a good judge of the right thing to say. I'll certainly feel a lot safer flying on Ryanair now ...

[hereIam]

Of course he's right and I applaud his stance. And the muslim council of Britain can go take a jump as far as I'm concerned !

[Mamyalynne]

Using names then - right - there was no flesh on the bones in the article.

Ta.

[naomi24]

//how are the airports (in this instance) to identify "males of a Muslim persuasion"//

They obviously wouldn’t be able to identify all, but beards, clothing, and ethnicity and
are often good indications - as is nationality if travelling on a foreign passport.

[retrocop]

naomi see my post@ 1714
//I disagree. I think profiling would make travellers feel more confident in reaching their destination safely.//

It would appear all passengers were happy how Air Malta flight operations handled this situation.

[andres]

I thought that checks had been carried out for years on lone Asian men with backpacks or plastic bags at airports ,train stations etc. Especially after the shoelace bomber.Better safe than sorry.

[naomi24]

Indeed, Retrocop.

[mushroom25]

//They obviously wouldn’t be able to identify all, but beards, clothing, and ethnicity and are often good indications //

an adherent of islam celebrating his faith with a sharia-compliant beard and wearing the shalwar kameez is unlikely to be planning an atrocity, simply because his appearance will draw attention. it's the guys in smart casual attire that would be on the radar....

[andy-hughes]

Naomi - // Oops a daisy! I feel one of your 'moments' approaching, AH, and only a few posts into the thread too. //

Then your 'feeler' is on the blink, I don't have 'moments' as you put it, so I won't be having one any time soon.

Meanwhile back on the actual thread ...

[Spicerack]

I agree with Andy. Let's have more politically correct profiling.
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/ERXqxuUWkAQS2mS?format=jpg&name=small

[retrocop]

I think any one operating in airport security and immigration have a damn good idea who are likely suspects and may need closer scrutiny. API may help to some extent and Passport scanning. No matter how clean shaven or attired I reckon spotters are trained to interpret mannerisms and body language. Again. When I was queuing in a long line at check-in I looked behind me and saw a gentleman who was obviously a plain clothes police officer or immigration observing the passengers in the line.
My late sister in law was a BA ground stewardess at LHR. They were trained to make observations at the check-in desk and used a special coding on the boarding pass or other means.

[naomi24]

Them too.

[andy-hughes]

Naomi - // They obviously wouldn’t be able to identify all, but beards, clothing, and ethnicity and
are often good indications - as is nationality if travelling on a foreign passport. //

Step forward Samantha Lewthwaite, minus her headwear, and she is straight through, on board, and getting a complimentary drink before you can say "Bomb!".

Looks like your stereotyping has a few kinks to be ironed out!!

[pixie374]

Are they really that naive about it, though, Andy? I'm taking it to be a guide more than anything... males are much more likely to be a risk.

[naomi24]

Oh no! We've hit a snag! One bomber might be a woman! Oh well, good enough reason to wave everyone through with no checks at all. :o/

[Bobbisox1]

Arh Mr O’Leary ?
Even bad advertising is good advertising in his world, it’s better than none at all, he says controversial things so people will know he’s the CEO of Ryanair, remember the “ I’ll charge to use the toilet” issue?

[ludwig]

As ichkeria said, this has to be happening already.

They probably pull the odd white haired Caucasian granny to the side every once in a while just to tick that box and prove they're not racist,sexist or ageist though.

[pixie374]

That would prove they are...