Virgin Atlantic Diversion

[Apollo]

Just Heard a Virgin Flight From Gatwick To Orlando Diverted To Iceland....Possible Bomb Threat.

[Apollo]

339 Pax, 18 Crew all evacuated with no problems. Confirmed bomb threat. Landed in Keflavic.

[fergineer]

A Virin spokesman said that a message- later found to be a hoax threat- had been found by a member of the crew in the plane's toilet.
That was a quote taken of ITV's text

[refplus20]

<a href="http://www.sky.com/skynews/article/0,,30000-1041431,00.html" target="_blank">http://www.sky.com/skynews/article/0,,30000-1041431,00.html</a>

[DHC Twin]

Large amount of w*nk*rs out there.
Good Luck Guys.

[ScottishSteve]

Hope the daft ****** is pleased that s/he has probably ruined many family vacations, scared a lot of kids, and set back the continued efforts to get everyone back in the air!

Idiot! Idiot! Idiot!

SS

[sweety]

Yeah, Shoot them all!

http://www.stopstart.fsnet.co.uk/smilie/9mm.gif

When will they stop? <img src="confused.gif" border="0">

[Navy_Adversary]

It would have been nice if the FAs collected all the customers Visa waiver/Visa forms and checked out the writing, long shot but it may have caught the idiot.

[kbf1]

I suspect the authorities will have already done that. I would be surprised if there was anything less than a concerted effort to identify and catch the fool given the economic need to get people flying across the Atlantic again.

[Gaza]

We were talking about this in the pub last night and the question was posed "What do you tell the pax??" I have no idea how you could break news like this. What do you tell them?

"We have to divert because"

A. Medical emergency
B. Technical problem
C. Some fcukwit has made a bomd threat <img src="mad.gif" border="0"> <img src="mad.gif" border="0">

"B" would no doubt panic some pax but "C" will likely panic everyone!

[ockham hold]

Here's an idea, and I have not thought it through very carefully having had a tincture or two but...

Why don't we get punters to hand over their boarding card when they go to the loo in flight?

[blue up]

'Cos the bean-counters will see it as a way to charge extra.

"...plus two turds at £6:20 each, an extra £3:75 for the fart, 20 pence for the tissue paper...."

At least I'd get a frequent farter discount.

What about Fresh-air Miles?

<img src="wink.gif" border="0">

[PaperTiger]

A surveillance camera in the loo waiting area (not inside !) on a closed loop - say 30 minutes.
When something untoward is discovered inside one of the heads, pull the tape. The previous occupant/perp will be recorded entering.
Cost-justified ? Probably not.

[tired]

Gaza - yeah, very good question. "Medical emergency" would keep the panic levels down, but if the threat is serious enough and you want to evacuate via the slides, that leaves you with a problem!

Anyone else got any ideas??

[M14P]

Don't be silly boys - Never lie to the passengers, they are not stupid. The incident has taken place in the cabin and therefore it is likely that some passengers may have already witnessed the scene; the 'rumour' will quickly spread (rather like this site!!!) closely followed by dissent and panic. In a situation like this you need them 'on side' both during the diversion and once stranded at the place of disembarkation.

Most airlines have a 'script' to follow that starts along the lines "Every year, airlines receive numerous security threats which are nearly all false, however, we treat every threat of this kind very seriously indeed..." etc etc.

This PA will come from the Captain and will be coordinated with the cabin crew through a briefing. Remember, it's not necessarily what you say but the way that it is said and (most importantly) the behaviour of the crew in the cabin.

[chippy63]

BBC News reported that the Icelandic authorities made all passengers leave handwriting samples.

[SFly]

Very well said M14P, spot on. Lying to the passengers would do more harm than good. An aircraft cabin is far to small a place for such confusion to issues. Rumours would spread very quickly.

Upon arrival in Orlando the passengers indeed were subjected to handwriting tests before leaving. They all had to write something like "Ask Harry if he thinks Americans will agree" or something like that. (That is, that is what local news reports, and that is not always the most accurate source of news)! <img src="rolleyes.gif" border="0"> :)

SFly

[tired]

SFly and M14P - yes, you're right. Stupid post on my part <img src="frown.gif" border="0">

M14P, your post made me go and look in my Ops Manual again and, guess what, that PA is in there almost word for word! Maybe I'll remember it if I ever need it - thanks. <img src="redface.gif" border="0">

[g.grissom]

Very well put M14P. Passengers are (at least most part of the,) intelligent people and very observant. Do threat them as such, you are always better off telling the truth. With a convincing and calming voice the commanders words will work. It´s always a good idear to generalize in cases like this, i.e. "Despite the great inconveniency for all of us, we put safety first...."

[Bright-Ling]

Sad spotter-y type question, but was it G-VIBE "Spirit of New York" as she was seen under temporary floodlights at LHR on Monday evening with many panels off engines etc.

Aircraft was parked near the crossing from the BA Maint area where the Cathay 747 parks in the daytime.

Is that a normal VS eng location?!!?

[SilentHandover]

The Virgin Jumbo involved was not G-VIBE, there are not 742's based at KK anymore Bright-Ling, all the based a/c are now the 747-443's and it would have been a member of that fleet that was involved, can't tell you which one inparticular though, sorry! <img src="cool.gif" border="0">

[M14P]

Incidentally, the Skippers PA on this particular flight was noted as being just right by my Missus (who was operating on board as crew). In her opinion it set the tone for a very successful and 'well mannered' diversion.

Bravo boss!

[Lisa]

G-VIBE was parked outside the Midland hangar where Virgin do there maintenance. It was having a number 2 engine change due to some damage on the reverser.