They were Jewish. They were praying.
This comes the day after a plane was diverted to Indianapolis, after a flight attendant found a "powdery substance" on the plane. It was talcum powder. This, in turn, comes a day after a situation in which people reported yet another "powdery substance" on yet another plane that turned out to be confetti from an opened greeting card.
"People are really being careful and sensitive," said the Aviation Director of the Charlotte Airport.
I guess that's one way to put it.