Here are the facts (I felt obliged, as so far we've got a four page thread without any):
1)Relatively high level military delegation from an Arab country which provided significant support to Australia during recent Gulf deployments.
2)Having visited an Australian flying school, one member of the delegation was wearing a baseball cap advertising same. Additionally, he was a very nervous flyer, and spoke little English. Compounding the problem, he was separated from the rest of his delegation, and the RAAF escort officer. Accordingly, the cabin crew were presented with a nervous, sweating Arab male, wearing a hat advertising a flying school. They made what seems like an understandable leap, and called security, who removed the gentleman from the aircraft.
3)So far, seems reasonable, I think you'd agree. It's what happened next that has caused the problems.
4)After some difficulties related to the language barrier, the Australian escort officer was found with the rest of the delegation and explained the situation to security. He then undertook to brief the Captain and cabin crew on who the individual was - ie an invited official guest of the Australian Government , and a military officer of an allied country.
5)At the completion of the brief, the skipper was satisfied, and decided to depart. At this point, four of the cabin crew indicated that they were still unprepared to fly with this individual on board, and a delay of nearly an hour ensued whilst replacement crew were found.
6)Significant diplomatic fallout has since ensued, which I can't go into here. Suffice to say that the delegation indicated on arrival at their destination that they were considering returning home, as they did not feel welcome in Australia. Representations at the highest level have been made, and (my reading only, I hasten to add), long term damage to our relations seems likely to have occurred.
I find it absolutely appalling that such a situation could be allowed to take place. Certainly, the original circumstances could well have given rise to anxiety on the part of the cabin crew. Indeed, they should probably be commended for their vigilance.
However, what I find mystifying is that once the situation had been explained at great length by an Australian military officer, some members of the crew still refused to get on with doing their jobs. This just reinforces the (no doubt unfair) stereotype of lazy self absorbed QANTAS cabin crew. After all, if the Captain and other senior members of the crew (eg the CSM) were now prepared to get on with it, what further reassurances were considered necessary to convince the others?
A bizarre situation, and a great disappointment to people like me who would like to be able to be proud of the national flag carrier...
Now you can all debate away in full possession of the facts.
SW