I find it hard to understand why people would find it so
amusing to make fun of someone who obviously has a mental illness. I can't even begin the understand why somone would think that it had something to do with terrorists. Maybe we should be asking God why he made so many nutters! And as for the comments from Craig McKie..you are from CHILLIWACK and have the nerve to call someone else
a yokel!!

Catherine Sarginson, Victoria BC, Canada

It's called Inflight Entertainment.

Barrie Redfern, Krsko, Slovenia

Hi,
I don’t fly for environmental reasons but I can understand the motivation of the pilot. God in many forms of life can be a helping hand.
Regards Dr. Terence Hale Zandvoort

Terence Hale, zandvoort, Holland

When such a great leader as G. Bush has said that God told him to attack Iraq, I do not see why should people be shocked when a
pilot uses the same world?

Bess, Uppsala, Sweden

Someone here asks if this was a 'Canadian Muslim'. There aren't any Canadian Muslims, there are just Muslims in Canada - and in every other country of the world.

Estrella, London,

where does it say the mans religion? I cannot see it

Karen, belfast, ireland

Let's not forget that the first officer's career, his livelyhood is a hairline from being over.
It will be years before he ever flies again - let alone acts as a member of a line flight crew.
Perhaps we're a bit too flippant, no?
Maybe we should show a little compassion for someone who clearly is having a rough time in his life?
And perhaps commendation for the captain, crew and passengers who took control and ensured a safe resolution?

This could happen to anyone - passenger or crew on any airline and the first thing we do is make fun of it...or start racial/religious profiling.

JR, Ottawa,

Wait a second. That EgyptAir copilot didn't shout, "I put my faith in God." It was "Allahu Akbar" -- or some othe invocation to Allah.

So, was this guy shouting for God or Allah? Surely not a quibble in these circumstances.

S. Weasel, Boston, US

I have always had great respect and gratitude for alirline pilots who fly me to places I can't get to on my own. They are brilliant, in my view. That's why I can't joke about or second-guess this situation. I pray for them when I'm flying, and I pray for this pilot now. We owe them all a lot.

Sara, Pittsburgh, US

Regarding - Are we being told the full facts?

There's always one! What does it matter what religion? Are you now saying that a Christian having a breakdown is one thing, but if it's a Muslim then it's suspicious! And to ask what his name is just shows hows totally mad the world is today. Let me guess if it happens to be 'muslim sounding' then it must be suspicious and quite possible another attempted suicide attack.

I'm afraid you need to live in the real world and understand that all of us have some kind of issues and I hope that this particular person is looked after by their airline and given the support they clearly need at such a difficult time.

P Taylor, Hythe, Kent

Matthew and Maggie,
I'll be laughing even harder at you both when we all find out the pilot's name was Mr. Smith or thereabouts. Your first reaction to such a story shows plain ignorance about mental illness and, more importantly, an in-built suspicion based on a lack of education or common sense. Not to say that the pilot definitely wasn't Muslim (because he could have been), but this is clearly a mental illness-related incident rather than anything else.

David C, London, UK

I guess all you who have read the article will say, Muslim again!!!!!!!!!!!

Mohamed Dada, Chatham, UK

Matthew from Slough, the religion of this mentally ill man is not an issue that has any bearing upon the story. If you read the article properly you will also notice he wasn't ''talking to God'' as you said but “asking for God.” Your inaccurate, prejudiced presumptions are more of a worry to me than this mans mental health issues.

Daniel, Lincoln, U.K

The flight crew responded to an unusual occurrence with speed and efficiency which averted a situation that could have had a far different outcome for all. As a high time pilot. I respectfully suggest the next time you fly that you remember the judgement displayed by the rest of his crew and appreciate how good these people really are at a difficult job. There are so many examples of crews doing exactly the right thing at a time of crisis so we ought to be very thankful for the talent and judgement they exercise on our behalf. Flying , not for the airlines, has given me a little different perspective for sure and I readily admit that I do not have the patients to deal with passenger attitudes. I really don't know how or why they do it.

James, Lyford Cay, Bahamas

Mathew in Slough,
You echo my first thought, Islamists are in Canada, let's get his name & see creed, was he supposed to do the same as the Egyption pilot but lost his nerve ?

maggie millington, Brittany,

It could be as simple as DVT/mini stroke, a result of reduced air pressure in all aircraft cabins, something that could affect anyone at any time on any flight.

Alex, Tunbridge Wells, UK?Kent

It sounds like he was tripping on shrooms or something. that makes people flip out many hours after they take it.

saul, chuchi chuchi, ny

It sounds more like he was spiked with a psychotropic substance to me.

Adam Primus, London, UK

Now all we have to do is haul away the rest of the nutters that invoke God on a daily basis and we'll be done.

George Dawes, New Jersey, USA

Interesting that someone asking to talk to God gets put in Economy - Good to see the Almighty travels with the masses.

Peter, London,

Are handcuffs part of an air stewardesses personal issue, or was the 'soldier' an 'air marshal'?

I prefer the idea that the stewrdess had them in her handbag for special occasions.

Mike Poulsen, Reading, Berkshire

Why was he placed in economy? was it to shield the rich from the real world?

A Seymour, Peterborough, UK

He was asking for God and they took him to Shannon. Success! Let's hope he recovers enough to go for a Guiness in Galway.

mount, dorset, gb

Are we being told the full facts? Is this a Christian Canadian pilot or a Canadian Muslim? It worries me that he was talking to God and the situation seems to have some religious bearings.

For example do we know his name?

Matthew Slough, UK

Matthew, Slough, Berkshire

Poor guy! I think everyone loses it occasionally, and it's not beyond the realm of possibility that I'll break down and beg to talk to God one day. I hope his life isn't impacted too greatly by this. It would be terrible if he was classed as a nutcase from this one unfortunate incident.

Anna, Plymouth, UK

Glad to see they didn't have the gall to put him in Business Class!

Paul , London, UK

If you are in the race to be president and you invoke the name of god then it's a good thing. If you do it whilst in control of a 747 then you're classed as mad. Go figure.

John, LDN,

"After the recent 777 crash, I really do wonder how many pilots now have a fear of flying/landing"

Why should this time be any different from the other times planes have crashed on take-off and landing (where most crashes occur and always have)? Pilots are put through all the 'known' crash situations on the simulator. I was on a 727 that returned to Frankfurt rather quickly many years ago. We landed normally (no chutes) and the co-pilot was at the door to alleviate any fears of the passengers. When IOcongratulated them on their professional handling of the situation he said "it was nothing, they put us through that on the simulator on a regular basis."
#
No, Julianna, I don't thin the 777 incident will have frightened trained and experienced pilots.

Roger Tilbury, Worthing,

The staff seem to have acted exceptionally professionally.
Hats off to them

Phill , The Wirral, England

There are alot of sick jokes circulating about this unfortunate co-pilot. Its very sad. The flight crew have not helped the situation, by putting the co-pilot in seat 12A.

After the recent 777 crash, I really do wonder how many pilots now have a fear of flying/landing.

Juliana Buckingham, London, UK

We don't call it Scare Canada for nothing.

This yokel appears to have been having an extemporaneous religious experience on the job. He was, in some accounts, unaccountably of the belief that the plane was running out of fuel and like Job was wondering why God was tormenting him so. He requested God to explain himself immediately in email or text message. Maybe a fine specimen of magic mushroom from Vancouver Island made it into his rations.

This incident will clearly necessitate another new rule requiring periodic testing of pilots for religious psychosis. A pity it can't be applied immediately to federal and provincial cabinet ministers.

Thank you for choosing Air Canada for your trip today.

Craig McKie, Chilliwack, British Columbia

Too many "Molson Canadian's" at the pilots lounge!

Dan Bednash, Exshaw , Canada / Alberta