Man caught w/ explosives on plane

[detroit diver]

From AP wires:

Man Caught With Explosives on Plane

BOSTON (AP) - American Airlines plane en route from Paris to Miami was diverted to Boston on Saturday after a passenger tried to ignite what's being called an ``improvised explosive,'' according to Thomas Kinton, an official with the Massachusetts Port Authority.

A flight attendant was drawn to the passenger by the smell of sulfur from a lighted match, Kinton said. The attendant then challenged the man as to what he was doing.

The man was apparently trying to ignite his shoes, which Kinton said contained ``improvised explosives'' capable of doing damage.

Broadcast reports said other passengers and crew on the American Airlines flight subdued the passenger, who became violent when confronted.

Kinton said the intervention ``appeared to have prevented something very serious from occurring.''

 

[CheeseWhiz]

I'm always leary of people trying to ignite articles of clothing while in flight. Glad the stewardess noticed.

What intrigues me is why they let this bozo on the plane (international flight...Paris to Miami) with no checked baggage! Doesn't this set off any alarm bells? I've traveled through Charles de Gaulle airport many times...soldiers/police all over the place, routine security sweeps where they evacuate everyone from one wing of a terminal while they check it out, on and on, so you would think they have their act together. And this guy gets on a 4,000 mile flight with no luggage.

Some things never cease to amaze me. C'est la vie.

 

[detroit diver]

Not only no checked baggage, but a ONE WAY ticket! What the hell is going on over there? He apparently tried a week before to get on the same flight, and was denied. You'd think that they would flag his record in the 'puter so he couldn't get on any other flight EVER.

I've been to that airport, and your observations are right on. That's why this type of thing baffles me.

 

[JustAddWater]

He is from Sri Lanka, but had a falsified British (or Belgian?) passport. It will be interesting to find out if he is connected with any organizations.

 

[CheeseWhiz]

Well that's another thing that cracks me up...the guy's from Sri Lanka, looks like it, and his passport says "Richard Reid." Right!

 

[Natasha]

I can't even begin to tell you how much this whole thing has upset me. We talked about it at Christmas dinner last night, and I actully yelled at my poor brother in law.
Thank God this flight attendent was smart.
The gate agents were obviously NOT. Why they didn't flag his name in the record makes no sense. There is plenty of room to write whatever notes WE need to write. Yes, even I as a travel agent, I could have wrote along his record " Call authorities" "Do not let this man board" They should have been called the first time, and he should have been underwatch. Anyone that buys a one way ticket with cash, and has no bags..come on, you have to be living in a cave not to see this as a problem. ( Pun intented)
Can't figure out why this wasn't flagged. We're just all lucky there were no deaths. This time.
;(