Watch Live: Second House Hearing on IRS Scandal

The 7 Key Moments From Wednesday’s IRS Hearing

Alleged Pictures Emerge of Strange Symbols on Southwest Planes

Sep. 23, 2011 7:43am Jonathon M. Seidl

Yesterday we reported that strange writing has been appearing on the bellies of Southwest Airlines planes. ABC15 in Phoenix cited sources saying that the symbols appeared to be “Arabic words.” Now, we are getting alleged pictures of the symbols.

The website Gawker has published exclusive pictures that it received from a tipster claiming to show the writing. The pictures, according to the source, “They are on the exhaust pipe of the engines. Usually on the inboard side. And most of them are described as looking like swords. (picture an elongated ‘S’ with a line crossing it toward one end.)”

Here’s what he means:

Pictures of Arabic Symbols on Southwest Airplanes

Photo credit: Gawker

The source claims to be a Southwest employee and says that although the markings have been reportedly made using a chemical process, to him they “look less etched and more wiped on with grease.” That could be true regarding the symbols he’s captured but doesn’t completely rule out the other reports.

He’s also not sure the symbols are Arabic writing.

“I havent seen any ‘arabic’ writing either,” he told Gawker. “All the marks look like that ‘sword’. I have seen one other plane that had a star with 3 horizontal wavy lines to the right of it. But Ive only seen it once.”

Meanwhile, a spokesman for Southwest told ABC15 that the markings pose no threat to passengers or travel.

In CONTROL, Glenn Beck presents a passionate, fact-based case for guns that reveals why gun control isn’t really about controlling guns at all; it’s about controlling us. Find out more HERE.

Back to The Blaze »

Comments (136)

gmoneytx
Posted on September 23, 2011 at 9:40am
I think alien s ( the ET type) did it to signal the mother ship to come down and pick up the believers to fly them back to the Andromeda galaxy!

Report this comment
Log in to ReplyReply
- Bill in Texas
  Posted on September 23, 2011 at 10:04am
  lmfao. Their coming for you crazy Louie Farakahn!lol Then mother ship is coming!
  
  Report this comment
- Mil Mom
  Posted on September 23, 2011 at 11:59pm
  @gmoneytx
  Posted on September 23, 2011 at 9:40am
  I think alien s ( the ET type) did it to signal the mother ship to come down and pick up the believers to fly them back to the Andromeda galaxy!
  ***
  Or maybe it’s Farakhaan calling the Mother Ship to watch over his followers.
  
  Report this comment
Meyvn
Posted on September 23, 2011 at 9:38am
Looks like kid scribbles to me.

Report this comment
Log in to ReplyReply
- atechgeek
  Posted on September 23, 2011 at 10:25am
  But 20 + instances of the same ?
  A new business idea for the capitalists .. the world’s largest glass skating rink …
  centered near Iran. Imagine .. a new Olympic sport .. long distance glass skating .. or glass curling. Hmmm. The limit is the sky !!!! The grand opening will be one fine fireworks show !!!
  
  Report this comment
- MR_ANDERSON
  Posted on September 23, 2011 at 11:07am
  It looks like the Muslim Brotherhoods seal a little bit. I wouldn’t doubt that there are clearer pictures not getting out.
  
  Report this comment
- David286 - FL
  Posted on September 23, 2011 at 11:16am
  @atechgeek – Needs to be centered near Mecca ;)
  
  Report this comment
- SEPARATENOW
  Posted on September 23, 2011 at 11:38am
  Herd ‘em up. Blow ‘em up. Enough our blood and treasure! Fry theirs instead.
  
  Report this comment
- hidden_lion
  Posted on September 23, 2011 at 11:50am
  It is the sword of Allah, it appears on lots of Islamic countries flags, it is a major symbol. Probably some Islamic mechanic marking the planes.
  
  Report this comment
- VerySeniorCitizen
  Posted on September 23, 2011 at 11:52am
  Is this supposed to be like the grilled cheese sandwich with picture of Mary on it, or the wall where rust appeared to resemble Jesus? I’m sure Glenn will be able to create a huge controversy over nature’s messes.
  
  Report this comment
- jzs
  Posted on September 23, 2011 at 12:10pm
  Red State is now reporting that if you hold your ear next to the plane – like with a seashell – sounds can be heard that when played backward say, “I buried Paul.”
  
  Report this comment
- GhostOfJefferson
  Posted on September 23, 2011 at 12:33pm
  I refuse to fly on aircraft with swords on them. I only fly on aircraft that have portrayals of full auto weapons on them. I will not lower my standards.
  
  Report this comment
- DanWesson455
  Posted on September 23, 2011 at 1:30pm
  Looks like finger in the dust. Like, look how dirty this thing is. swoosh swoosh. SYMBOL?
  
  Report this comment
- teamarcheson
  Posted on September 23, 2011 at 11:05pm
  Someone is marking the planes for a reason. It means something, its not an accident.
  
  Report this comment
- Mil Mom
  Posted on September 23, 2011 at 11:23pm
  @hidden_lion
  Posted on September 23, 2011 at 11:50am
  It is the sword of Allah, it appears on lots of Islamic countries flags, it is a major symbol. Probably some Islamic mechanic marking the planes
  ****
  Anybody curious WHAT THEY’RE BEING MARKED FOR?
  
  Report this comment
- Mil Mom
  Posted on September 23, 2011 at 11:26pm
  @jzs
  Posted on September 23, 2011 at 12:10pm
  Red State is now reporting that if you hold your ear next to the plane – like with a seashell – sounds can be heard that when played backward say, “I buried Paul.”
  ***
  Please be our guest, but be sure and listen real close, AND HANG ON TIGHT during takeoff! Happy Landings!
  
  Report this comment
- jzs
  Posted on September 24, 2011 at 4:32am
  Mil Mom, I love a good sense of humor.
  
  Report this comment
aaronkcmo
Posted on September 23, 2011 at 9:18am
looks to me like grease wiped off of somebody’s hand, maybe a pilot going through pre-flight inspection.

Report this comment
Log in to ReplyReply
- Ruler4You
  Posted on September 23, 2011 at 9:32am
  They have found that illegals from Mexico were working on Jet engines who weren’t A&P certified in the past. It wouldn’t surprise me to find out that refugees from some islamic nation was ‘given’ a job as well.
  
  Report this comment
- editedforbias
  Posted on September 23, 2011 at 10:00am
  Thinking illegal from Middle East that is marking those he inspected but can’t write in English. Just think of it as “Inspected by #9″. Dozens just means he is doing his job,
  
  Report this comment
Sleazy Hippo
Posted on September 23, 2011 at 9:18am
The real ominous sign are the prominent ‘tiger stripes” that cover all the other symbols on the plane- these indicate a miltant nuclear armed India will rise, kill the Russian bear and overcome the Muslim armies as it buries pakistan. Then the United States will need top make the tiger walk in circles until it becomes pancake butter.

Word!

Report this comment
Log in to ReplyReply
- icer22x
  Posted on September 23, 2011 at 9:28am
  HAHA. Love it. Or it could mean that the Arabs are formulating a bio-weapon that will turn everyone into tigers!
  
  Report this comment
- jzs
  Posted on September 23, 2011 at 11:02am
  If you use a magnifying glass, you can also see the words, “All this for a dang flag,” written backwards.
  
  Report this comment
- Resist We Much
  Posted on September 23, 2011 at 11:21am
  Nah JZS,
  
  On one plane is the Arabic symbol for 57. The marking is to indicate that the plane has now flown in all 57 states.
  
  And yes, you do need a magnifying glass for the other one. It says “For the first time in my adult lifetime, I am really proud of my country.”
  
  Report this comment
- Hard Tack
  Posted on September 23, 2011 at 4:32pm
  @ Hippo : I caught that “Little Black Sambo” reference. Shame on you, you dirty racist! No pancakes for you……
  
  Report this comment
jayrosen
Posted on September 23, 2011 at 9:17am
Just as we do to dolphins, turtles, sharks, etc., these markings are tags made by aliens to track our migratory habits. Duh.

Report this comment
Log in to ReplyReply
- Bill in Texas
  Posted on September 23, 2011 at 9:58am
  They couldn’t just use the tail number? Duh
  
  Report this comment
- qpwillie
  Posted on September 23, 2011 at 10:54am
  Bill in Texas,
  Now Bill, you know aliens can’t read the tail numbers. Some think that the stripes on zebras are numbers written in zebra but can we read them? No. We have to hook those little transmitters to their ears.
  
  Report this comment
fry1goat
Posted on September 23, 2011 at 9:07am
honestly looks like that could have been caused by hitting a bird or something. By the way be careful this could be a setup.

Report this comment
Log in to ReplyReply
- whgt
  Posted on September 23, 2011 at 9:17am
  Reminds me of this:
  http://heroeswiki.com/The_Symbol
  
  Report this comment
Bum thrower
Posted on September 23, 2011 at 9:02am
SWAL’s competitors did it so you won’t fly this efficient, inexpensive airline, but instead opt to buy the ‘high priced, but safer’ travel version……suckers!!

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
jndough
Posted on September 23, 2011 at 9:02am
http://www.abovetopsecret.com/forum/thread423757/pg1 I think another post was refering to the symbols on this website. My first impression was it just looks like smudges. But then again so does Farsi.

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
bigfatslob
Posted on September 23, 2011 at 8:55am
Crop circles !

Report this comment
Log in to ReplyReply
- GENEPAGLIARI
  Posted on September 23, 2011 at 9:56am
  Crop circles by Bush
  
  Report this comment
- SCTiger
  Posted on September 23, 2011 at 10:02am
  Prop Circles!
  
  Report this comment
poorrichard09
Posted on September 23, 2011 at 8:49am
It sure does look like an islamic sword.

Hey Badjuju you’re right-think “bread and circuses” as a former republic crumbled.

Report this comment
Log in to ReplyReply
- badjujuu
  Posted on September 23, 2011 at 9:11am
  WOW – that is scary.
  
  Report this comment
- Lloyd Drako
  Posted on September 23, 2011 at 10:38am
  What exactly is an an “Islamic sword?” I’m sure I saw one exactly like it in “Pirates of the Caribbean Part 3,” or maybe it was “4.”
  
  Some admittedly cursory research into the Arab and Farsi alphabets shows no such character or letter. Maybe just gang graffiti making the big move from railway freight cars to airliners?
  
  Report this comment
- Scaz
  Posted on September 23, 2011 at 11:38am
  It looks like a scimitar, which is what I think you meant by arab sword. Yes it looks just like a scimitar and I don’t think it was by accident. Look at the Saudi flag, Look at the Muslim Brotherhood crest. The scimitar symbol is used frequently with raddical Islamic groups.
  
  But by all means America, go back to sleep. When something happens, you can always blame someone else.
  
  Report this comment
- Latter-Day-Soldier
  Posted on September 23, 2011 at 9:26pm
  I googled the Muslim Brotherhood symbol: two scimitars crossed with a Koran above them, whatever is on the side of the airliners…who knows, maybe some other group wanting to make a name for themselves.
  
  Report this comment
Mandors
Posted on September 23, 2011 at 8:42am
This is worse than seeing Elvis or the Virgin Mary in a potato chip. It’s a smudge. Move on.

Report this comment
Log in to ReplyReply
- AmericanStrega
  Posted on September 23, 2011 at 9:28am
  I saw Elvis in 1989. He was driving down the 405 freeway (CA) in a Town and Country stationwagon. S’truth!
  
  Report this comment
- Mil Mom
  Posted on September 23, 2011 at 11:33pm
  @Mandors
  Posted on September 23, 2011 at 8:42am
  This is worse than seeing Elvis or the Virgin Mary in a potato chip. It’s a smudge. Move on
  ***
  You forgot to add: “Quick before something goes BOOOOOOOOOM !!!”
  
  Report this comment
Crickets
Posted on September 23, 2011 at 8:27am
“The establishment truly doesn’t want the common folk thinking. They want to keep them reacting at an emotional level. They want to keep the common folk fearful of their shadows so that they will allow their freedoms to be trampled and violated without question. A thinking public is dangerous to the establishment who wish to maintain their power. An intelligent, thoughtful public will eventually see through their fallacious policies. An intelligent public will ask to be left alone and treated like adults to determine for themselves how to live their lives and spend their money rather than be babied and treated like idiots being told how to live their lives and spend their money from cradle to grave. An intelligent public will be able to look at Ron Paul’s past, his voting record and his unwavering principles and determine for themselves that he is not the typical establishment politician. Naturally, the establishment does not want someone in power who they don’t control, and so they will continue to pull out whatever tricks they can in order to keep the thinking public from flexing its muscle.”It’s the philosophy stupid.

Report this comment
Log in to ReplyReply
- badjujuu
  Posted on September 23, 2011 at 8:36am
  I agree, the establishment just want obedient consumers who are not smart enough to figure out how bad they are getting screwed by the establishment. “Shop, watch stupid reality TV shows, Shop, work, pay taxes, eat processed food, do not ask questions, shop some more”
  
  Report this comment
GENEPAGLIARI
Posted on September 23, 2011 at 8:25am
BUSH did it.

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
Posted on September 23, 2011 at 8:24am
Blazers, I have seen these symbols before — if I recall correctly the meaning for them is tp represent the Sword of Truth and the Sword of Judgment among the Persians of Iran. What you are looking at is a symbol of a old Persian cavalry sword siniliar to a scimitar.

I am going to do some more digging into this now that there are two pictures released.

Report this comment
Log in to ReplyReply
- gmoneytx
  Posted on September 23, 2011 at 9:39am
  I bet you still believe in santa claus and the tooth fairy!
  
  Report this comment
- Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
  Posted on September 23, 2011 at 11:04am
  @Mleo — I have, and yes they are very similiar, I still have seen these marks elsewhere though from a sight based in Iran, and something about them is nagging at my memory.
  
  Report this comment
- Mil Mom
  Posted on September 23, 2011 at 11:39pm
  @gmoneytx
  Posted on September 23, 2011 at 9:39am
  I bet you still believe in santa claus and the tooth fairy!
  ***
  Nah! She caught Cinderalla’s Fairy Godmother dressing up as both, so now she’s busy looking for glass slippers that will fit trolls!
  
  Report this comment
Polwatcher
Posted on September 23, 2011 at 8:22am
They need to keep kids away from the parked planes.

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
Discord
Posted on September 23, 2011 at 8:05am
Blaze, have you been hacked?

That would be nice.

Report this comment
Log in to ReplyReply
- jzs
  Posted on September 23, 2011 at 8:22am
  The guy doesn’t read arabic but thinks it looks like arabic? Okay, I’m good with that. That rectangular looking thing looks like a mosque to me. And if you look closely, you can see a muslim in prayer and also a muslim killing a white guy. Creepy. I’m flying Delta from now on.
  
  Report this comment
- Discord
  Posted on September 23, 2011 at 8:47am
  Oh yes, absolutely.
  
  Report this comment
Discord
Posted on September 23, 2011 at 8:04am
Why do you all use so many caps and abuse your punctuation? It makes you look very silly.

Report this comment
Log in to ReplyReply
- ohiochili
  Posted on September 23, 2011 at 8:22am
  I feel much safer now that the Punctuation Patrol is here!
  
  Report this comment
- GENEPAGLIARI
  Posted on September 23, 2011 at 8:26am
  NOT as SILLY as YOU.
  
  Report this comment
- loadingmyclips
  Posted on September 23, 2011 at 8:41am
  because my finger accidentally hits caps lock anD I’M TOO LAZY TO BACKSPACE AND CORRECT1
  
  Report this comment
- stinkybisquit
  Posted on September 23, 2011 at 8:43am
  i DON”T. see? any–PROBLEM @ all… (just having some fun.)
  
  Report this comment
- db321
  Posted on September 23, 2011 at 8:43am
  wHAT
  
  Report this comment
cmack
Posted on September 23, 2011 at 8:01am
I’m confused.

“Meanwhile, a spokesman for Southwest told ABC15 that the markings to passengers or travel.”

Eh?

Report this comment
Log in to ReplyReply
- Cheekymnky2
  Posted on September 23, 2011 at 8:06am
  Not to mention
  
  But Ive only seen it once.
  
  Who’s Ive?
  
  Report this comment
kickagrandma
Posted on September 23, 2011 at 7:58am
Once is more than enough, people. How many more “messages” do we need?

Keep in mind though, the government already has too much power. It does not need any more than it already has.

NEVER GIVE UP FREEDOM for security, NEVER!!!

Report this comment
Log in to ReplyReply
- Mandors
  Posted on September 23, 2011 at 8:41am
  Too late.
  
  Report this comment
Cranky
Posted on September 23, 2011 at 7:58am
“Meanwhile, a spokesman for Southwest told ABC15 that the markings to passengers or travel.”

WHAT??

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
slvrserfr
Posted on September 23, 2011 at 7:58am
Arabic? Seriously? How about a Southwest employee running their finger through it to see how dirty the plane is?

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
Discord
Posted on September 23, 2011 at 7:58am
I like how the Blaze uses the very progressive Gawker as a source. Not that I mind though.

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
politicaljules
Posted on September 23, 2011 at 7:55am
“Meanwhile, a spokesman for Southwest told ABC15 that the markings to passengers or travel.”

Huh???

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
GodHatesFigs
Posted on September 23, 2011 at 7:51am
This is a poorly written article.

Report this comment
Log in to ReplyReply
- Conkuur
  Posted on September 23, 2011 at 7:54am
  I have to agree
  
  Report this comment
SpankDaMonkey
Posted on September 23, 2011 at 7:49am
.
Look’s like someone put one of those “Fatwads” on South West……

Report this comment
Log in to ReplyReply
- GENEPAGLIARI
  Posted on September 23, 2011 at 9:59am
  No, on Southwest they make FATWADS buy two seats.
  
  Report this comment
- SpankDaMonkey
  Posted on September 23, 2011 at 10:08am
  .
  LMAO you right……
  
  If the Govt. would just turn over the War on Terror to all the Coon Ass & Red Neck Deer hunters. We could get this thing wrapped up by Thanksgiving.
  Step 1. Declare Open Season
  2. There is no bag limit.
  3. $1000 dollar bounty.
  4. Inform the hunters the Terrorist’s hate Mama, the Baby Jesus, the U.S.A., pick- trucks & country music.
  And the final nail in their coffin: The Terrorist are directly responsible for the death of Dale Earnhardt…..
  
  Report this comment
- Mil Mom
  Posted on September 23, 2011 at 11:48pm
  @SpankDaMonkey
  Posted on September 23, 2011 at 10:08am
  .
  LMAO you right……
  
  If the Govt. would just turn over the War on Terror to all the Coon Ass & Red Neck Deer hunters. We could get this thing wrapped up by Thanksgiving.
  Step 1. Declare Open Season
  2. There is no bag limit.
  3. $1000 dollar bounty.
  4. Inform the hunters the Terrorist’s hate Mama, the Baby Jesus, the U.S.A., pick- trucks & country music.
  And the final nail in their coffin: The Terrorist are directly responsible for the death of Dale Earnhardt…..
  ***
  Better get out your “Dancin’ Shoes, Cause we’d have us a VICTORY BARN DANCE within 48 hrs!!!
  Gotta finish before Nascar comes on though!
  
  Report this comment

It appears that you have Javascript Disabled. Please enable Javascript in your browser preferences for a better user experience on TheBlaze. You can not comment without Javascript enabled.