British Airways Flight Detained at Dulles Airport, Passengers Being Quizzed by Security

Local Channel 5 | Wednesday, December 31, 2003 | Kristinn

[kristinn]

D.C. Fox affiliate WTTG-5 reported a few minutes ago that British Airways flight 223 has been detained on the tarmac at Dulles Airport, Virginia, just outside Washington, D.C.

The flight landed at 7:06 p.m. Passengers have not been allowed to deplane. Some family members waiting at the terminal were able to speak with some of the passengers via cellphone. They were told TSA and other security personnell are interviewing passengers and inspecting luggage.

Over two hundred passengers and crew are on the plane.

More to follow as reported. Please forgive any errors as this just caught my ear.

[Shermy]

An FBI official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the detention of the passengers was not terrorist-related.

But...

"The official declined to say what specifically led to the quarantine of the plane, but cited the recent increase in the U.S. terror alert status. "

[maestro]

An FBI official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the detention of the passengers was not terrorist-related.

Sure.

The Queen is on board with Princess 'Di's diary.

(She's defecting?)

/sarcasm

[kcvl]

Fox News Alert - due to "something of interest"...

[bcoffey]

I dont believe it,,why was FBI and HS there if it was not related to terrorist fears?

Exactly. You KNOW something is going on. (If I still lived near Dulles, I'd drive there and try to snoop around... and then post here. :)

[Two-Bits]

Nah...They just wanted to personally wish everyone on board a happy new year.

[MVV]

Just posted the same comment, I guess with 247 passengers on board and 17 crew members it just takes time to question everyone.

[bwteim]

Hey - I just read and report - maybe people p a n i c ....

[kcvl]

They were told that SOME people would be interviewed BEFORE they landed. Another couple of hours.

[nuffsenuff]

It sucks...

I'm here reading about the plane at Dulles a couple of miles away and in the middle of typing a sentence... BOOOM!... Scared the crap out of me...

[prairiebreeze]

Those trailer looking things are the "people movers" that they use at Dulles, right?

No new infor on Fox report at top of hour.

Prairie

[tubebender]

FBI spokesman says it was routine questioning of some passengers.

Something about the silverware...

[oceanview]

donna fiducia with live footage now, why are there what appears to be 5 jetways right next to the plane?

now they are re-running OReilly.

[Johnny_Cipher]

I'm willing to bet money some idiot got a hold of some M-80's or better and is setting them off out there on the course.

Does the golf course have a gopher problem, perchance?

[relee]

CBS radio news 11 PM said the jet was held away from the gate.
British Air spokesman said the passengers are being interviewed 1 by 1 - called it super screening.

[sfRummygirl]

God, O'Reilly is so freakin' boring....

[kristinn]

Nothing new on Channel 9, no reporter there. Channel 7 has a reporter there, says FBI told BA they wanted to question "everyone" on the flight. In fact, a passenger stated they spoke to a few people extensively, but asked everyone for passports and proof of seating assignment.

[gitmo]

It gets very stuffy on those planes sitting on the tarmac. Those folks gotta be ticked. Especially after a 8-10 hour flight.

[DC native]

Thanks....same to you. Feliz ano nuevo!

[nuffsenuff]

LOL!!!

[JOHANNES801]

oh s**t bill murruys out there.