The actions of the American Airlines pilot are being defended by the some of the pilots at Continental Airlines, based on comments posted in their Forum. To the extent that the American pilot was unsatisfied with the agents paperwork and his possession of a gun, the pilot is justified, but if the pilots actions were motivated by a paranoia against Arabs, he is wrong.
Colbert King, writing in the Washington Post, believes American has an image problem, because they refused a Secret Service agent, yet let Richard (?) Reid on their airplane. King's question: how come Reid appeared a more acceptable risk than a bona fide Secret Service agent.
George Bush meanwhile claims to be 'madder than heck'.
<img src="tongue.gif" border="0">