Strange But True Aviation News

You'd think he'd want to exercise his right to remain silent.  Suspected underwear bomber Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab began his trial with an outburst: "The mujahadeen will wipe out the U.S. — the cancer U.S.," reports the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. He is charged with trying to blow up a Northwest Airlines flight from Amsterdam to Detroit on Christmas 2009.

Step AWAY from the cockpit.  Abdulaziz Mubarak Alshammari was pulled away from the cockpit door of an American Airlines flight from JFK Airport to Indianapolis by his fellow passengers right before landing, reports USA Today. 

He checked out, so he can't check in.  Lufthansa was rapped for refusing to refund the ticket of a man who died, reports the Sacramento Bee. Ursula Maul and her husband had bought a ticket on the German flag carrier, but the husband died suddenly, causing the refund request. 

Are those birds in your pants or are you just happy to see me?  A man was detained at Rochambeau airport in Cayenne, French Guiana, after security officials found a dozen live hummingbirds hiding in special pouches in his pants, reports AOL Travel.

I'm suing!  Irum Abbasi is suing Southwest Airlines, accusing it of discrimination after she claims she was removed from a San Diego flight because she was wearing an Islamic headdress, reports Today Travel.

Here's another TSA screener theft story!  Ricky German, a Transportation Security Administration screener at Memphis International Airport was arrested after stealing a laptop left at baggage claim, reports the Commercial Appeal.  He faces five years in prison if convicted.

These airlines have gone to the dogs -- literally.  Bulldog owners are using private aviation to transport their pets after most commercial airlines banned them from flights, reports the New York Times.

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