It makes a good story, but it's a considerably distorted version of what really happened:
http://www.snopes.com/photos/airplane/etihad.asp Of course the distortion accommodates our racist and nationalistic views that we're superior and others inferior, so it's fun to pass around on the internet. It says more about the originators and people who pass it on, than anybody else. Furthermore it's got nothing to do with Coupes and is not technical, so keep this crap off the -tech group. Please. Ralph Finch
