Originally Posted by
Justdoinmyjob
Yes and no. While you need to support the cabin, sometimes they can overreact. Case in point, got a call from the back of a pax, facing the L2 door, who was mumbling and praying. Described as "Middle eastern looking, wearing wierd clothes, and obviously up to no good." Had a DH pilot put eyes on him and it turned out to be an 80ish YO Hassidic Jew who was praying. You'd think a NYC based crew would know better. Sometimes a cigar is just a cigar.
Years ago I was a pax on a flight out of ATL. (A young pup AD guy no DAL connections) the guy across the aisle from me was in traditional middle eastern dress with the white skull cap thing full beard he got on the plane and took off his shoes and started mumbling and bobbing. I assumed praying. I tried to engage him he would not respond but complied with all FA information. No cell out, seatbelt on, tray table up. It was an RJ and we were the in about row 3 but no one in front of us. I spend the rest of the flight figuring out how I was getting between him and the cockpit door. We deplaned and he stopped me apologized for not responding and explained he was terrified of flying and prayer is what kept him calm and why he was in town (lecturing to a engineering school) I felt a bit like an a$$ but also got the impression he often had to explain this