Bombthreat flight from Chicago to PHX (1/9/2004)

MSNBC ^ | MSNBC

[Ragirl]

MSNBC says flight from Chicago to Phoenix has been turned around due to bomb threat. More coming.

[cricket]

"Just keep calling in bomb threats on all flights to create havoc..."

maybe the kind of person that makes DU a home? Perhaps they are disappointed that the terror threat is going down? That nothing happened this week after all?

[ladyinred]

I am sure your experience was horrendous traveling over the holidays, but they gotta do what they gotta do. The chance just cannot be taken anymore that there will be that one or two or three people around or on board that would do us harm.

[cricket]

Perhaps this is a new Dean plan for 'damage control'

[nuconvert]

yeah, ya gotta get the plane back down on the ground.

[stylin19a]

I don't visit DU...is it possible that's how they think and/or act ? that is REALLY scary.

[OldFriend]

My kids flew over the holidays. Both Thanksgiving and again for Christmas. There were no delays at all out of or into Newark Liberty.

They got thru security with a minimum of fuss. If you know the drill have your bag ready for the scanner and your shoes off you are on your way.

[CyberAnt]

And .. they couldn't go to Omaha because Omaha had a United jet with suspicious stuff in a bathroom. I don't suppose the airport wanted to have two emergencies to deal with at once.

[cricket]

"I don't visit DU...is it possible that's how they think and/or act ? that is REALLY scary."

Only been there once myself; now I just let others here 'do the walking' and read their reports.

Is is possible that people of DU mindset would do such a thing. Believe it would be absolutely easy for any number 'down there'.

That of course, does not make it so; but one thing you can believe;the people of DU are really scary.

[PAR35]

NINE HOURS for a flight to Phoenix? I --- DON'T ---- THINK -----So.

Sounds about right at 135 knots.

[Spunky]

Just logged on and didn't read all the postings. Did anything come of this?

[EuroFrog]

I just read them all, doesnt look like anything.

[justshe]

Thank you. Same.....just logged in. Went to the end of the thread to see if any thing came of this.

[LurkedLongEnough]

Update: http://cbs2chicago.com/topstories/local_story_009171423.html
Plane Lands After Bomb Threat

VIDEO: CBS 2 News reports.

Jan 9, 2004 4:11 pm US/Central
Southwest Airline Flight 1003 took off from Midway Airport and has apparently been called back and returned to the airport after a bomb threat that was called in by phone.

As a precaution, the pilot made the decision to turn the plane around and return to the airport. There were 123 passengers and five crew members onboard.

Officials said that the bomb threat came from a phone call placed at a Shell gas station at Garfield Boulevard and Wells Street around 3 p.m.

In such a situation, they normally deplane the passengers, get them out of harm's way and search the airplane very carefully before they bring the plane into the terminal. The passengers will probably be rescreened, put on another flight and go on their way to Phoenix.

The aircraft currently being searched by authorities. Officials estimate there will be a two hour delay before passengers resume the flight, West said.

"Our goal now is to make sure that plane gets the all clear and to get those passengers on their way to Phoenix," said Southwest spokesperson Ed West.

[Lauratealeaf]

Officials said that the bomb threat came from a phone call placed at a Shell gas station at Garfield Boulevard and Wells Street around 3 p.m.

Uh oh. I guess according to Hillary Ghandi did it.

[The Mayor]

LOL!!

[Indie]

And the terror alert level just went down...............

Personally I don't understand it. My personal level will stay at Orange as will my preparations.

[Indie]

"Ground Spd: 135 kts (Assigned: 0454) - note that 135 knots is below stall speed! Altitude: 009(hundreds of feet) (Assigned: 280) - Only 900 feet up? Maybe this is on final... Type: B733 (Boeing Company Model 737-300) Origin Apt: MDW CHICAGO MIDWAY INTL Dest Apt: PHX PHOENIX SKY HARBOR INTL Departed: 2120Z ETA As Filed: 0030Z, Calculated ETE: 9h 16m - NINE HOURS for a flight to Phoenix? I --- DON'T ---- THINK -----So

135K with flaps on takeoff climbing out of 900 ft MSL for Flight Level 280 (28,000ft) is well above stall speed on a 737. Departed 2120Z (320PM CST) ETA 0030Z (630PM CST)= 3HR 10MIN block to block. Time out=left gate; OFF is wheels off the ground.

[BigSkyFreeper]

Yep. Airlines and airports have been on high alert since airports were allowed to resume operation after 9/11. Even smaller/midsized feeder airports like Billings Logan International in Billings, MT is on high alert.

[BigSkyFreeper]

That's weird....I actually heard it was that Helen Thomas got a run in her pantyhose and tried to change into a new pair without leaving her seat.....my, my....how things get mixed up in translation.

Depends :-)

[BigSkyFreeper]

And for those curious souls:

1 knot is equal to 1.15077945 MPH so at 135 knots the plane was flying at 155.355226 MPH.

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