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NEWS
Lawsuit filed in '06 airport evacuation
HUNTINGTON -- A woman's lawsuit against US Airways claims the airline violated her constitutional and civil rights when its employees stopped her from boarding a flight at Tri-State Airport in August 2006.
The woman, Rima Qayyum of Jackson, Mich., was thrust into the international spotlight Aug. 17, 2006, after two liquid containers stored in her carry-on luggage, coupled with an initial explosives test, prompted security officials to interrogate her and evacuate the airport.
Qayyum's lawsuit, filed in U.S. District Court, identified the containers as a bottle of water and facial cream. The items initially tested positive for traces of an explosive substance, but later tests proved negative.
New security regulations had been implemented a week earlier. British authorities had stopped a potential Trans-Atlantic terror plot, which prompted U.S. officials to ban liquids and gels from being stored in carry-on luggage.
Qayyum's parents quickly said it was a misunderstanding and their daughter had been unfairly targeted.
Two years later, Qayyum's lawsuit presents similar allegations. The filing states security officials targeted her in a discriminatory manner based upon her Pakistani descent. It states security officials simply discarded liquid-based items carried by other passengers, but singled her out for additional testing.
Qayyum underwent intense interrogation, authorities searched her residence in Huntington and she was cleared to fly, the lawsuit states.
An FBI agent assisted her in obtaining a ticket for the following day, but the lawsuit states the airline did not allow her to redeem that ticket. She eventually drove to Michigan.
US Airways has not filed a response.
