An Orthodox Jewish teenage passenger caused concern on a US Airways flight.  He was using tefillin, a set of black boxes attached to leather straps and containing biblical passages. When used in prayer, one box is strapped to the arm while the other box is placed on the head.

The plane was in route from New York to Louisville, KY.  The pilots landed in Philadelphia as a procaution.  The teenager and his sister, who was traveling with him, were not held or charge with anything.

Never a dull moment in the friendly skies.

While I understand the necessity of high security aboard aircraft, was this entirely necessary? Did nobody recognise a regular, Jewish prayer?