Michael, victim of the 9'11 phobia
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"Flight attendant guilty in bomb scare"
Michael Phillipe has apparently (according to various news sources) admitted to the crime and agreed to pay Virgin Atlantic $176,000 as restitution for the cost of diverting the aircraft. Is he still maintaining his innocence in spite of this?
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http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/2596235.stm
From the BBC:
A French flight attendant has been sentenced to five years probation in a US court after pleading guilty to making false statements regarding a bomb threat on a plane travelling from London to Orlando, Florida.
Michael Phillipe, 25 years old, worked for Virgin Airways and was serving on Flight 27 on 19 January when he wrote "American must die" on a bathroom mirror with soap and "Bin Laden is the best Americans must die there is a bomb on board al-Qaeda" on an air sickness bag.
The plane was diverted to Iceland after Phillipe reported the messages to the captain and another flight attendant; however nothing was found and the plane continued to Orlando.
Phillipe had been charged with three other counts, including threatening to use a weapon of mass destruction against US citizens - a charge which could have carried a life sentence - communicating false information and endangering the safety of a flight.
He was also originally charged with intimidating flight crew members and making a false statement to an agent from America's Federal Bureau of Investigation.
However Phillipe's admission that he wrote the notes meant that the presiding judge in an Orlando court accepted a recommendation that he serve his five years' probation in France.
Phillipe agreed to pay a restitution of $176,000 to the airline to cover the cost of diverting the plane, saying he would pay $40,000 immediately.
The FBI arrested Philippe from Aux-les-Baines, France, on 27 March after it matched his fingerprints and handwriting on the note.
The hoax was one of several security scares on planes following the 11 September attacks, and only a few weeks after a British man, Richard Reid, allegedly attempted to blow up a an American Airlines flight with explosives hidden in his shoes.
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Copyright BBC
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http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/2596235.stm
From the BBC:
A French flight attendant has been sentenced to five years probation in a US court after pleading guilty to making false statements regarding a bomb threat on a plane travelling from London to Orlando, Florida.
Michael Phillipe, 25 years old, worked for Virgin Airways and was serving on Flight 27 on 19 January when he wrote "American must die" on a bathroom mirror with soap and "Bin Laden is the best Americans must die there is a bomb on board al-Qaeda" on an air sickness bag.
The plane was diverted to Iceland after Phillipe reported the messages to the captain and another flight attendant; however nothing was found and the plane continued to Orlando.
Phillipe had been charged with three other counts, including threatening to use a weapon of mass destruction against US citizens - a charge which could have carried a life sentence - communicating false information and endangering the safety of a flight.
He was also originally charged with intimidating flight crew members and making a false statement to an agent from America's Federal Bureau of Investigation.
However Phillipe's admission that he wrote the notes meant that the presiding judge in an Orlando court accepted a recommendation that he serve his five years' probation in France.
Phillipe agreed to pay a restitution of $176,000 to the airline to cover the cost of diverting the plane, saying he would pay $40,000 immediately.
The FBI arrested Philippe from Aux-les-Baines, France, on 27 March after it matched his fingerprints and handwriting on the note.
The hoax was one of several security scares on planes following the 11 September attacks, and only a few weeks after a British man, Richard Reid, allegedly attempted to blow up a an American Airlines flight with explosives hidden in his shoes.
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Copyright BBC
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What about :
- plead not guilty and stay in warm florida for another 3, 6, 10 months under supervision or,
- plead guilty, get probation time and return in Europe to spend Christmas with your family...
It makes sense to me.
On the other hand we still don't know what happened...
As soon as michael arrived in France, he told the press he had to lie to the court (pleading guilty) to return to France.
Now what ?
- plead not guilty and stay in warm florida for another 3, 6, 10 months under supervision or,
- plead guilty, get probation time and return in Europe to spend Christmas with your family...
It makes sense to me.
On the other hand we still don't know what happened...
As soon as michael arrived in France, he told the press he had to lie to the court (pleading guilty) to return to France.
Now what ?
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It seems that some of you guys never been to the USA, and don't know how the american administration can sometimes be really stupid (and i know what i am talking about.....)
"if he is innocent, he will be relaxed"= that's the stupidest thing i have ever read
Do you really trust at 100% the justice of a country who is now scared of everybody or everything that is not made in USA??
Come on Guys, think a little bit more...........
"if he is innocent, he will be relaxed"= that's the stupidest thing i have ever read
Do you really trust at 100% the justice of a country who is now scared of everybody or everything that is not made in USA??
Come on Guys, think a little bit more...........
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Jesus bloody Christ! I cannot believe some of the naive and idiotic posts on this thread.
The facts of this case are as stated in Huh?'s post above. This man pleaded guilty to writing the terrorist-style notes that prompted the diversion of this aircraft into Iceland, at great financial cost to the airline and greater emotional cost to the passengers (who, I imagine, will be contemplating civil action against this idiot). His actions would be totally despicable at any time, let alone in a period when the travelling public are still somewhat traumatised by the events of 9/11 and since.
(The US, as the destination country, asked for and received jurusdiction from the UK and Icelandic authorities as is provided for in international aviation law).
How could you possibly consider defending this man's actions through a petition - especially when many of you apparently knew (or cared?) nothing about the facts of the case? How would you feel if it had happened on your aircraft?
Frankly, they should have incarcerated the despicable fool and thrown away the key.
The facts of this case are as stated in Huh?'s post above. This man pleaded guilty to writing the terrorist-style notes that prompted the diversion of this aircraft into Iceland, at great financial cost to the airline and greater emotional cost to the passengers (who, I imagine, will be contemplating civil action against this idiot). His actions would be totally despicable at any time, let alone in a period when the travelling public are still somewhat traumatised by the events of 9/11 and since.
(The US, as the destination country, asked for and received jurusdiction from the UK and Icelandic authorities as is provided for in international aviation law).
How could you possibly consider defending this man's actions through a petition - especially when many of you apparently knew (or cared?) nothing about the facts of the case? How would you feel if it had happened on your aircraft?
Frankly, they should have incarcerated the despicable fool and thrown away the key.
Scroggs,
Your last sentence says it perfectly,and I can't help feeling that if our weasel of a government had been strong and tried him over here then he would be looking at a long time away now.You only have to look at the sentences being passed down to drunks on our flights to see that the courts are coming down hard on anybody interfering with a flight.
I would imagine the FBI are mighty hacked off right now,having tried so hard to get jurisdiction they see Phillipe effectively getting away with it.Yes I know he's been fined a hefty sum but you only have to look at his support group signatories to see that there are some wealthy people who might just help him out.
Your last sentence says it perfectly,and I can't help feeling that if our weasel of a government had been strong and tried him over here then he would be looking at a long time away now.You only have to look at the sentences being passed down to drunks on our flights to see that the courts are coming down hard on anybody interfering with a flight.
I would imagine the FBI are mighty hacked off right now,having tried so hard to get jurisdiction they see Phillipe effectively getting away with it.Yes I know he's been fined a hefty sum but you only have to look at his support group signatories to see that there are some wealthy people who might just help him out.
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Ozzie, I take it you either believe that this is an FBI plot (why?), or that you believe it's OK for rogue CC to issue terrorist threats on aircraft?
Or should I just forgive and forget this madman's admitted actions?
Or should I just forgive and forget this madman's admitted actions?
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errrrrm I am a bit confused here how on earth did you come to either conclusions?
Its your choice of words ie "naive" & "idiotic" that I take issue with.
Surely a postings board such as the one provided by pprune is a forum for discussion, debate and airing one's views.
Please do not twist my words.
Its your choice of words ie "naive" & "idiotic" that I take issue with.
Surely a postings board such as the one provided by pprune is a forum for discussion, debate and airing one's views.
Please do not twist my words.
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Right, I will not let this become bogged down in semantics. This Gentleman wrote his own hoax bomb threat, something he has admitted to ---albeit eventually---- in court. Had a passenger done such, the book should be thrown at them. For crew to even contemplate doing such an act is even worse owing to the involvement of "Duty of Care" at a minimum; in my opinion he has escaped very, very lightly here....
That he enlisted the help of people online and even in here to help "prove" his innocence to a crime for which he was guilty is equally unforgiveable. The focus of argument and complaint therefore lies not with those who may point this undeniable fact out to you, but with the person who effectively "played" on your good wishes and support. Phillipe was not a "victim" of the "phobia" surrounding 9-11; he was one of the perpetrators of that phobia, and a contributor to the atmosphere of fear we now deal with. No one likes being made to look foolish, and this Gentleman has made several do so.
Realise it, and move on... the bigger picture of this issue is not a he said/she said from anyone, but the complete abrogation of responsibility in a malicious manner by someone tasked with maintaining good order on board an aircraft.
Sick Squid
Cabin Crew Forum Moderator/Admin
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That he enlisted the help of people online and even in here to help "prove" his innocence to a crime for which he was guilty is equally unforgiveable. The focus of argument and complaint therefore lies not with those who may point this undeniable fact out to you, but with the person who effectively "played" on your good wishes and support. Phillipe was not a "victim" of the "phobia" surrounding 9-11; he was one of the perpetrators of that phobia, and a contributor to the atmosphere of fear we now deal with. No one likes being made to look foolish, and this Gentleman has made several do so.
Realise it, and move on... the bigger picture of this issue is not a he said/she said from anyone, but the complete abrogation of responsibility in a malicious manner by someone tasked with maintaining good order on board an aircraft.
Sick Squid
Cabin Crew Forum Moderator/Admin
[email protected]
Last edited by Sick Squid; 23rd Dec 2002 at 21:21.
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Wow, I am sure that Michael would be proud to see all this solidarity between cabin crews.
As some of you said before, most of you don't know all the details of that story. So, if you don't want to sign the petition, don't incriminate Michael without evidences.
I think Michael would have done anything to escape from the USA. He paid the RANSOM to go back to his country, everybody would have done the same.......
As some of you said before, most of you don't know all the details of that story. So, if you don't want to sign the petition, don't incriminate Michael without evidences.
I think Michael would have done anything to escape from the USA. He paid the RANSOM to go back to his country, everybody would have done the same.......
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Oh, I don't often come in here for a look, but every time I do, another gem sits gleaming before my eyes 
Lets add this up, shall we?
His handwriting, his prints, and a guilty plea. Prints? Well maybe could have accepted something there, but his handwriting? And a guilty plea on top of that? Excuse me! Ransom? Don't make me laugh.
The man's a fool, deserves to be in jail. To continue to support a fool after such an event shows.. well you work out what it shows... you'll find "GULLIBLE" somewhere after "GUILTY" in the dictionary; a bit of revision might work wonders to your perception skills.
Happy New Year
Alien
Lets add this up, shall we?
His handwriting, his prints, and a guilty plea. Prints? Well maybe could have accepted something there, but his handwriting? And a guilty plea on top of that? Excuse me! Ransom? Don't make me laugh.
The man's a fool, deserves to be in jail. To continue to support a fool after such an event shows.. well you work out what it shows... you'll find "GULLIBLE" somewhere after "GUILTY" in the dictionary; a bit of revision might work wonders to your perception skills.
Happy New Year
Alien
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Sorry I'm late on this topic, but I didn't read there what I want to tell you.
I signed the petition for Michel.............
........not because I think he is not guilty..........
........not because he is French like me.
No. I put my name on this list because I was convinced the Justice of United States had not been fair with him.
I was surprised, when I red the previous posts about him, of the number of people who have an idealistic vision of the way in which justice is delivered in USA.
Don't you know that people who where obviously guilty have been cleared only because they had enough money to recruit the best lawyers?
Don't you know that a lot of people ( mainly poor and black) have been judged guilty - and often sentenced to death - while they where innocent, but too poor to afford a good lawyer?
If you have the occasion to watch a documentary film shot in the States, which won an Oscar last year ( sorry for the title.....it's Aloysius fault), you will see how enquiries are often conducted without any professionalism : in that case a young black had been convinced of murder and he had acknowledged under high pressure, but fortunately for him his lawyer was a good one.
Sure, nowhere is justice perfect, and it has a big amount of progress to do in many parts of the world , especially in USA.
I signed the petition for Michel.............
........not because I think he is not guilty..........
........not because he is French like me.
No. I put my name on this list because I was convinced the Justice of United States had not been fair with him.
I was surprised, when I red the previous posts about him, of the number of people who have an idealistic vision of the way in which justice is delivered in USA.
Don't you know that people who where obviously guilty have been cleared only because they had enough money to recruit the best lawyers?
Don't you know that a lot of people ( mainly poor and black) have been judged guilty - and often sentenced to death - while they where innocent, but too poor to afford a good lawyer?
If you have the occasion to watch a documentary film shot in the States, which won an Oscar last year ( sorry for the title.....it's Aloysius fault), you will see how enquiries are often conducted without any professionalism : in that case a young black had been convinced of murder and he had acknowledged under high pressure, but fortunately for him his lawyer was a good one.
Sure, nowhere is justice perfect, and it has a big amount of progress to do in many parts of the world , especially in USA.
Mmmmm
