Delta Flight to Salt Lake Forced to Turn Back

[avt100]

A Delta Airlines flight from Denver to Salt Lake City, Utah, was forced to turn back on Monday night after a passenger found a threatening letter on the plane.. ."It took off from Denver and a passenger found a threatening letter on board and they returned to Denver and took the aircraft to a secure location at the airport," said Federal Aviation Administration spokeswoman Laura Brown.

She said Delta Flight 1642 left Denver International Airport with 56 passengers and six crew members at 6:45 p.m. local time (8:45 p.m. EST) and returned 30 minutes later.

Passenger Matt O'Mara said that half an hour into the hour-long flight, the pilot announced the plane was turning back to Denver, without giving a reason.

"Later, when people started to get up, the air marshal jumped up and identified himself and yelled very loudly for everyone to stay seated," O'Mara said. "That elevated our anxiety."

After the plane landed, he said, the pilot said a note that mentioned a bomb had been found on the plane.

FAA and Delta officials would not comment on the contents of the note.

Brown said the passengers were taken off the Boeing 737 and sent through a new round of security checks while the plane was searched.

"They have checked the plane and nothing out of the ordinary was found," added airport spokesman Charles Cannon.

Airport officials said the plane took off again at 10 p.m. for Salt Lake City, site of the 2002 Winter Olympics.

[gyrohead]

I hope someone finds the gutless piece of crap that wrote that note and shows him/her the true meaning of misery!! <img src="mad.gif" border="0">

[Lucifer]

In the circumstances, surely it would have been better for the air marshal to remain the the background and blend in, in case there was a threat on board - if the report is the truth then he has immediately identified himself as the first target.

[Avman]

An interesting point Lucifer.

[None]

...and that is the way it use to be. They would not get involved in any of the "normal" situations the crews handle on a daily basis. It does seem like he compromised his real benefit.

[Wassat Noyze]

That's assuming he was the only air marshal on the flight....

[Lima Tambo]

How many air marshalls does it take to secure a flight?

[LevelFive]

Lucifer, with all due respect, I don’t think you are the first person to think of that. I’d leave security to the marshals if I were you. They are well trained and from what I have seen, firsthand, know what they are doing. Security is their job. That’s what they are there for. When there is a security threat they take appropriate action. This includes bomb threats. The marshals I have had on my flights impressed me with their professionalism. I’m very confident in their abilities. They are not taking any chances with the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City. Security is very high.

[liam lord]

I'm still waiting for Lima Tambo's punchline. Answers on a postcard please.

As for Level Five's assertion about the security of U.S. Airlines. Please don't be offended if I take a trip down to the local hospital because my sides have just split from laughing.

I think the security record of U.S. Airlines post 9.11 speaks for itself.

Q. What goes "clack clack" "clack clack" "clack clack"?

A. 3 U.S Air Security Marshalls jumping up and down.

[ 06 February 2002: Message edited by: sickboy ]

[ 06 February 2002: Message edited by: sickboy ]</p>

[LevelFive]

sickboy, There’s plenty wrong with security in the US but the marshals don’t fit in that category. I’ll take my firsthand experience with the marshals over you opinion.