Arabic-Like Graffiti Appears on Underbellies of Southwest Jets

Photo by BriYYZ via Flickr

The underbellies of some Southwest Airlines (SWA) 737 jets have been decorated with bizarre, unauthorized markings. Arabic or Arabic-like symbols, the vandalism has investigators stumped. Unsure of what to dub the images, they are currently being referred to as said vandalism and graffiti.

SWA has contacted the FBI and the TSA, but the investigation currently remains internal. The airline hopes to uncover the source/s of the tagging, including the location/s and culprit/s. Employees of SWA have been notified to keep their eyes peeled for suspicious activities.

Etched using a chemical process, the markings are only visible once an auxiliary power unit is turned on. As of now, SWA deems beefing up security as unnecessary.

Good Day LA reported the story from LAX this morning, but no shots of the markings were included in the report.

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By Lauren Lloyd in News on September 22, 2011 11:00 AM

Comments [rss]

PicoPhreako69

Google/search for these particular pics. The ones I've seen look like they were daubed on with oil, and beyond a rather strained resemblance to a long sword,... there really isn't anything "Arabic" about them.
Yep, just another bit from Faux trying to keep people scared and manageable.

Elson Trinidad

Wait, I get it now. See, after Saber did his sky tagging thing earlier this week, other taggers tried to follow suit, but they didn't quite get the concept right.

idevin

Arabic-like symbols? Chemically etched? It's possible somebody knocked a bottle of some sort of chemical into the washing solution and the pattern of the markings is actually where the crew cleaning the plane concentrated their sprayers to get some dirt off. I would hope at LAX they have people who can recognize Arabic writing (and Chinese, Thai, Japanese, etc) when they see it.

Chet

This IS probably what happened. But it was reported by FUX News, who would rather leave the impression that 'the terrorist' are attacking America (albeit in a very artistic and creative way)

Frank TheTank

"only visible once an auxiliary power unit is turned on. As of now, SWA deems beefing up security as unnecessary"

What the hell - What kind of auxiliary power unit? One on the plane itself or one used for maintenance? Seems to be a few details missing from this story ...

Elson Trinidad

SURELY there are people around who can distinguish whether it's actually Arabic, or just gibberish?

RedMercury

Reported by FOX 11, so the story is missing any actual truth and is just designed to be scary by implying that muslim terrorists are somehow marking planes.

The Ugly American

So because this is a local Faux Nooz story, you're not even bothered by the fact that someone, regardless of whom, is vandalizing planes while we passengers are undergoing pat downs and virtual strip searches.