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.

[JOHANNES801]

The wife is a third generation RHOADIE I went there for adventure, Found it, got shot in the left leg,killed a few commies and met the love of my life.

[sfRummygirl]

Well, happy new year everyone. I will see you later! Good night!

[null and void]

g'nite

Happy New Year!

[skr]

Fresca used to taste better when it was not a diet soda. I haven't seen anything other than the diet version recently.

[kristinn]

Update from The Washington Post (excerpts, of course):

About an hour before the plane landed, several U.S. fighter jets were scrambled to escort the airliner into Dulles, said British Airways spokesman John Lampl.

SNIP

....FBI spokeswoman Debbie Weierman.

"Some of the passengers' names were folks that law enforcement officers were interested in speaking with," Weierman said. "And when the flight came in, those folks were interviewed." Weierman said no one was arrested.

Jennifer Marty, a TSA spokeswoman, said there was no specific incident on board that prompted the investigation.

SNIP

Mark Hatfield, a TSA spokesman, said the aircraft was directed to a remote part of the airport and thoroughly inspected, including a bag-by-bag search of all luggage.

"We were very interested in that particular flight, based on intelligence," Hatfield said.

SNIP

Since the threat level was raised, officials said that several international flights have been similarly screened, including at least one other airliner at Dulles.

[null and void]

As in "Nothing to see here, move along"?

[kcvl]

Officials at Dulles were warned before yesterday's flight landed that the FBI and TSA wanted to question people on board, Hamilton said. She said both agencies notified the airport that they wanted to talk to the 247 passengers and that the plane should not approach a gate.

[kristinn]

I think folks would respect them more if they didn't try to b.s. the public by claiming actions like this are "routine."

We expect things like this, as evidenced by the calm behaviour (BA spelling) of the passengers.

[JustPiper]

You know sweetie, I saw this at bottom of CNN's ticker, being they had the only live coverage besides Dick Clark of Times Square, but I got alarmed and didn't know what happened, thank you for the ping!

[JustPiper]

How are things in DC Kristin?

Look at the time of your post sir:
Posted on 12/31/2003 9:11:32 PM CST by kristinn

[kristinn]

Looks like things went okay tonight in D.C., except for that pop quiz at IAD tonight.

[Domestic Church]

I just remember the beef...melting like butter in my mouth, but I do my own bubble & squeak(yummm.)

[Dog]

Fox in the top of the hour news said the plane will be searched again.

[relee]

CBS radio news at 8 AM said the FBI may still be questioning some of the passengers. If so, that's got to be more than routine.

[bwteim]

I am Mr. cheapskate, but would be willing to pay $100 for that.
Great idea. And I would be willing to rent them from you for a buck a year.... :)

[cajungirl]

Happy New Year Everyone. I hope you are all repenting of your excessive alcohol drinking last nite!!!!!

[Amelia]

Fresca used to taste better when it was not a diet soda.

Fresca was always a diet soda.

They still sell it in Georgia, I don't know about everywhere else.

[Amelia]

CBS radio news at 8 AM said the FBI may still be questioning some of the passengers. If so, that's got to be more than routine.

No kidding!

[bwteim]

Happy New Year to you, too! I am repenting - but just getting ready to open up some more... :)

Guess you didn't see
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1049654/posts?page=473#473

[cajungirl]

I saw it but figured you were nursing your hangover. Thanks! Happy New year!