It’s obvious that none of you have ever encountered a real nutter. Yes, they do say “I have a bomb/knife/gun/ poison gas in my bag” and sometimes they actually do have exactly that and are going to use it.
Furthermore, what do you think will happen when they repeat that claim to the pax sitting next to them?
Furthermore, under OH&S rules, the counter staff do not nor should not have to engage with said nutcase. Leave that to the police who are wearing anti stab vests and are armed.
Two young Constables in Melbourne a few weeks ago were tasked with attending a car fire and found themselves in a deadly confrontation with a terrorist seconds after arriving.
So No. Every “little joke” is taken seriously and the clown should be prosecuted to the full extent of the law AND get put on a “no fly” list.
To put that another way; it’s only a prank to armchair strategists who don’t have to deal with it at the time.