A threat of violence has to be handled with due care. . .what is the prudent course of action? Landing and removing the threat is prudent. If he ignored the threat and nothing happened, great but he would be harshly counciled for not reacting appropriately to a threat. If he ignored the threat and the girl freaked and harmed people/property (even alarming/freaking-out other passengers), causing disruption on the jet, the pilot would be facing possible loss of his job and the airline would be facing law-suites.
But then again, you don't agree with the actions of the PIC which begs the question: Are you a “professional pilot?” And if so, how much time and type ratings do you have so we can assess your suitability to pass judgment on the actions of the pilot.
Not to mention the young lady herself could have come to harm if the situation had been allowed to progress, which the Captain would also have to factor into the equation.
I am sure that the pilot is getting ribbed because he brought down a full plane because a disabled kid was crying because she was hungry.
Please read the accompanying 1st hand accounts before you make your decision. Diverting a plane and kicking a family off is not a simple decision. This is actually a very unusual/1st case and other pilots need to study and consider how they would react. This was not a terrorist threat....it was a mother’s request for a disabled child.