Camel Sacrifice on Runway

Here is the linky.

A crew of mechanics at Istanbul’s airport were so glad to be rid of some trouble-prone British-made airplanes that they sacrificed a camel on the tarmac in celebration prompting the firing Wednesday of their supervisor.

The photo of a worker raising a large piece of bloodied camel meat on the tarmac of Ataturk International Airport was published on the front page of at least two newspapers, drawing the wrath of transportation authorities.

Tuesday’s sacrifice of a camel with small Turkish carpets over its humps at the busy airport was regarded as a disgrace and an embarrassment for the country at a time when it is seeking to join the European Union.

“This is a grave incident. Is it compatible with the image of a modern Turkey, trying to enter the EU?” said opposition lawmaker Huseyin Guler.

Under pressure from the EU, Turkey has introduced fines for those who slaughter animals outside special facilities.

Transportation Minister Binali Yildirim condemned the camel sacrifice, saying “it is not possible to approve such an incident.”

“It was met with adequate response,” he added.

Turkish Airlines authorities launched an investigation and later fired chief mechanic Sukru Can for approving the camel sacrifice. The crew of mechanics had been celebrating the return of the last of 11 four-engine Avro RJ 100 jets that were leased from Britain 13 years ago.

Turks traditionally sacrifice animals as an offering to God for when their wishes come true.

“We are happy to be rid of planes which frequently broke down without causing major headaches to Turkish Airlines,” the daily Cumhuriyet quoted Can as saying after the ceremony.

That’s amazing…

“The tarmac” is not the same as “runway.”

But runway sounds much more interesting, though harder to get clearance for.

Turk air 131 ready for sacrifice on 21 Left.

Standby 131, your number four behind two lambs and a Company mule.

Imagine sitting in your plane, ready to push back, and you look out your window to see a bunch of rampers slaughtering a camel? Surreal.

Sounds better though. :wink:

:laughing:

WARNING!!! PHOTO OF VERY MINOR GRAPHIC INTENSITY. IF EASILY OFFENDED OR GROSSED-OUT, SCROLL QUICKLY TO NEXT MESSAGE, CLICK THE “BACK” BUTTON OF YOUR BROWSER OR CLOSE BROWSER ALTOGETHER!

(This means you, lieberma :wink: )

Not to start a religious argument here, but this must be a Muslim thing. When U.S. forces turned the security in Najaf over to the Iraqis, Iraqi soldiers celebrated by tearing a live rabbit apart (ouch) and biting the heads off of live frogs. :blush: :angry:

word for it…my<–WARNING:This link contains graphic descriptions of the “celebration.” Read the story at your own risk.

Sad when we have to give warnings to articles written in the Pocono Record. Not like we’re linking to porn. If you can’t handle that, you need to grow up.

planeaholic: This isn’t a shot at you, but the people who complain about such things.