Led Effort To Subdue Passenger Trying to Break Into Cockpit

A man who frightened passengers by attempting to break into the cockpit of an AirTran flight on its way from Atlanta to Kansas City was subdued by a fellow passenger, who is now being hailed widely as a hero. Jabir Hazziez, Jr. is an unlikely candidate to be viewed as a hero, especially on an airliner in 2011 - he's Muslim.

The Kansas City Star reports Hazziez is 10-year veteran of the Kansas City Fire Department, and also has law enforcement training. When he saw flight attendants struggling with a passenger who was foaming at the mouth, he knew he had to step in and help. The man turned out to have had a reaction to a vaccine. Hazziez said he was definitely in "an altered mental state."

The firefighter says that he grabbed the man and tried to calm him, to no avail. So he put the man in a neck restraint and pulled him to the floor. Another passenger grabbed the man's feet to stop his kicking, and the two held him for 15-20 minutes until the flight, which had departed Atlanta, could make an emergency landing in Memphis.

The Star reports Hazziez's fellow passengers later gave him a standing ovation. AirTran commented, "His background unquestionably translated into resolving the situation safely."

Kansas City Fire Chief Smokey Dyer said of Hazziez, "He is an outstanding firefighter. It was very characteristic of the performance we see on a weekly and monthly basis."

The Midland Islamic Council has praised Hazziez for enhancing the image of American Muslims, and exemplifying "the many valuable and useful contributions they make to our nation."

Hazziez is aware of the post 9/11 stereotype of Muslims, and that his actions may have played a part in promoting better understanding. He says of his faith, "We are supposed to help those in need and protect and help those who can’t help themselves."

FMI: www.airtran.com