Bomb Threat Clears American Flight At O'Hare
 

NBC 5 Article

"Sixty-five passengers bound for Indianapolis were forced to evacuate their flight late Tuesday morning after one passenger found a note on the plane that contained a possible security threat, though a search of the plane later found no explosives or other problems.

American Airlines Flight 1672 to Indianapolis departed its gate at 11:24 a.m. and was taxiing to a runway at O'Hare International Airport when a passenger found the note in a seat pocket, according to American spokesman Tim Wagner.

Wagner said he could not release the contents of the note, but said members of the flight crew believed the note contained a possible security threat and notified authorities."

I guess some people can't pass up the opportunity to be stupid.

If I find such a note, it's going right into the trash. :td:

But if it saves only one life . . .
 

What is wrong with screening the pax and the luggage in place, then sending everyone on their way . . . on the same airplane. Good grief! I'm with Spiff. That note will never see the light of day.

I just can't understand how people think about these things. If I had gone to all the trouble of planting a bomb on a plane -- a very difficult task, I assume! -- why in the world would I write a note telling people that it was there? Wouldn't I want the plane to take off with my bomb on board? And if someone else wrote the note, why wouldn't they just tell people in person about the bomb? Why communicate so strangely?

The right answer is really just to ignore these nonsensical notes. Too bad nobody will do that. :(

Bruce

One of the reasons they almost never seem to release the text of the notes is because of the gigantic leap of faith required to read a threat into what is written on them. I recall one of them last year said simply, "Bob" -- a common name. Of course, that was interpreted to mean "Bomb on board."

Bruce is (as usual) correct!

I remember that same incident. Enormous amount of inconvenience for hundreds of people. The reason?? A "barf bag" from the seat back pocket with the letters "BOB" written on it.
And as xyzzy says, some knucklehead decides it MUST mean BOMB ON BOARD...:(.

This reminds me of the note with "Arabic style handwriting" from a few months ago.

Someone should start collecting the stories for a "greatest hits" collection.

Sometimes I wonder when I sign the "Voices" page of UA's inflight mag if the non-FT pax in the seats next to me are wondering what I'm writing and will report it to the FAs as a possible bomb threat... never had a problem yet, at least.

im with spiff too
 

You go Spiff!! You could not have said it better. I would throw the note away and not worry since the security is good. Happy New Year one and all :) :) :) :) :) :-: :-: :-: ^

The "security" is a joke.

The note's still going into the trash though.

Admiral Stone can go to hell.

Tell us how you REALLY feel! :p