Co-pilot arrested after bomb-in-shoe joke
A spokesman for the Queens district attorney's office says the pilot, French citizen Philippe Rivere, will face court for falsely reporting an incident in the first and second degree.
The charges carry a cumulative sentence of up to 11 years in prison.
Port Authority spokeswoman Tiffany Townsend says the pilot was detained at a security checkpoint in the airport after making "comments that were deemed inappropriate".
Law enforcement sources say the pilot had initially refused to pass through a metal detector at the checkpoint.
They say he also declined to remove his shoes when asked to do so.
"At some point during the exchange, he said, 'I have a bomb in my shoe,' and then he tried to leave the checkpoint," one source said, adding that the pilot was arrested by Port Authority police.
Prior to his arraignment, the pilot was being held at a detention facility in the airport.
In Paris, the French airline said he had been arrested following "misinterpreted remarks".
This article presents an incredibly difficult ethical dilemma.
Does one condemn the A'merkins for being paranoid and lacking a sense of humour, and side with M. Rivere?
Does one applaud said paranoid humourless A'merkins for dealing with french arrogance with the threat of 11 years porridge?
Bottom line ... mark up another 15/2 to Osama and his merry terrorist men.
