Palau president stranded in Philippines after airline hitch (Roundup)

Mike in ManilaApr 3rd, 2008 - 14:00:39

I think any head of state should be treated with the same respect that every other passenger on a commercial flight is. A frisk is no less dignified for a president than anyone else. He above anyone else should appreciate the rules and play by them like everybody else. The real question is did he have more to lose than his pride by being searched? Seems to me he may have had something to hide.

Don't back down Continental. You did the right thing. As for the president, in my mind his actions should be an embarrassment for his countrymen.

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JJApr 3rd, 2008 - 15:45:25

Good going Continental Airlines! The 'elite' always want special treatment. Hey, if he and his wife are so special, maybe the people of Palau can vote to get them their own jet....yea, when 'pigs can fly'. Oppps, did not mean any disrespect!!! HeHeheeee!

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james emmansApr 3rd, 2008 - 18:41:26

The airline should be banned from flying to Palau. This is a poor show.

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MK babyApr 4th, 2008 - 08:33:13

The airline is regulated by the TSA and the Host Government. The host government has the authority to waive its security precautions, but not the TSAs. The head of state knows the regulations and could have appropriately requested the waiver from the US Embassy Manila in advance. The airline had no authority to waive the TSA regualtions at will and would have been cited.

The manager should be applauded by the TSA for standing up for their regulations despite such sigificant pressure.

The cause of the situation was the President's refusal. He knew of the procedures in advance and apparently got the publicity he wanted by causing an international incident, which got more international coverage than his state visit.

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EkudApr 8th, 2008 - 12:29:35

I'm a Filipino and I think what the airline staff did was extremely BOORISH and of bad taste. Law did not exempt them for being true, but common sense would hint to you that a head of state deserves the respect as a leader of a U.N. recognized sovereign state.

Who ever that airline staff is, is a total BOOR!

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LisApr 12th, 2008 - 00:24:51

Oh get a life you people who think that President Remengesau was out of line. come to Palau and you'll see

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SunnyMay 12th, 2008 - 05:36:43

I am from palau and proud to be a palauan.I do believe that everyone are subject to be frisk or go through the screening for security purpose and so forth before departure.But the President of Palau like other high official desreves respect and courtesy.I do not know exactly what happend but common sense does apply.

Continental officials did what they had to do for the safety of others and yes, they did the right thing.I believe that they were informed that our president will be boarding in that specific flight to palau.

But still i believe this issue could have been avoided if both party took part in singing some form of agreement or waiver for such courtesy to be allowed.

Its a shameful thing for a president to be rejected from boarding any airline as if he his a criminal.

I believe that our President did made the right choice for not being frisk with the continental officials.Ofcourse, were in the world would a president or the head of state agree to be frisk just to board a plane which will only take less than 4hrs flight.

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