The responses here to this incident are pathetic.
What a bunch of armchair idiots.
1. What really did this guy say? we don't know, we weren't there. Was it just a little harmless smoking, or the start of some diversionary tactic?, just sit there at your little keyboards and pass some more judgment.
2. Why were the fighters there? What cave have you guys been in?
3. "I say there old chap, what an overreaction". One might think that none of you have never operated in an ATC enviroment where miscommunication on the true nature of a problem occurs. I am sure it was totally clear that the AC crew was still in charge on that aircraft, or was it? Just ignore that 250,000 cruise missle inbound to a major city, its nothing.
Are some of the names here the same ones who thought the Southwest Airlines passengers overreacted when they killed the deranged passenger? Go review that thread.