There seems to be no stopping of fake bomb threats directed at US airlines: two passenger jets landing in Seattle, Washington were evacuated and searched for explosives, while another flight was diverted to Dallas, Texas for similar safety procedures.
A JetBlue flight from Long Beach, California, and a regional SkyWest jet from Phoenix were both isolated and searched for explosives by security teams with dogs at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport on Sunday. Passengers of JetBlue flight 1006 reportedly had to exit the plane, which had been sent to a far end of the airfield, using portable stairs, while their luggage was examined by detection dogs. The evacuation lasted for about 45 minutes.
NWCN Executive Producer Jenna Luthman off-plane at @SeaTacAirport. Bomb-sniffing dog on scene pic.twitter.com/vam7HdVbbA
- NorthWest Cable News (@NWCN) January 26, 2015
Following the search, both planes were "cleared of security concerns" and the people were eventually taken to the terminal by bus.
The third plane, Delta Air Lines flight 1061, flying from Los Angeles to Orlando, did not reach its destination and had to be diverted to Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport after multiple passengers reported a bomb threat made in connection with the flight.
The people were similarly evacuated and questioned and the plane inspected. It was eventually also given the all-clear by the authorities.
WTH? Again MT "@NBCLA Passengers tweet Delta Flt1061 fr LAX grounded after bomb threat http://t.co/js07MmnM7Q pic.twitter.com/SSoyrzdga1"- Chris #Bossy McCoy (@ChrisYMcCoy) January 26, 2015
While the connection was not officially acknowledged by officials, threats to both Delta and Southwest Airlines were apparently made via Twitter by user @kingZortic, who then bragged on his page that he was "untouchable" by the police even posting an address at which he claimed he could be found.
At least one of the Sunday threats could also be connected to a post on Twitter, which claimed that there was a bomb on JetBlue flight 1006 "set to detonate in 25 minutes." Two fighter jets were also reportedly scrambled to escort the plane due to "security concerns."
Comment: This fear mongering is starting to get out of control.