Originally Posted by
HkCaGu
So if one can think from her perspective: Whatever fault she had for not being prepared (or surprised), she had to, in good conscience with professional knowledge and personal experience, and especially with the manifested IGNORANCE of the FAs, declare a threat. Upon accommodation, she also in the same manner declared that the threat had ended (especially if the flight had proceeded to PDX as scheduled).
I think it reasonable that the captain chose to act on the initial threat. There is no basis for a captain to believe the threat has ended, or that it wouldn't start up again, simply due to the perpetrator revising their statement. Kind of like saying you have a weapon or malicious intent while at a TSA checkpoint but later saying you were joking. The ordeal that will ensue will not be stopped by revoking your initial threat. Seems like Mom thought the threat would stack her hand, but she didn't realize the deck is weighted to favor the house...