Pilot Taken Off American Flight At Omaha

[TMMT]

Pilot Taken Off American Flight At Omaha Airport
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Pilot Taken Off American Flight At Omaha Airport

FBI Confirms Pilot Is In Custody; Alleged Threat Cited

Posted: 12:37 p.m. EST March 5, 2003 Updated: 1:08 p.m. EST March 5, 2003

OMAHA -- The FBI took an American Airlines pilot into custody Wednesday morning at Omaha's Eppley Airfield, an Omaha television station reported.

The pilot was detained, the FBI said, because of an alleged threat he made while at a security check point, KETV-TV reported.

American Airlines Flight 3018 to St. Louis, which was scheduled to depart at 8:15 a.m. CST, was delayed more than an hour.

It took off with a pilot who was on layover; 112 passengers were on board.

American Airlines said its investigation into the matter continues.

The Omaha Airport Authority, airport security and airport police would not comment on the case.

The pilot was taken into custody, the FBI said.

 

[TMMT]

http://www.wowt.com/home/headlines/242916.html

An American Airlines pilot was detained Wednesday morning by authorities for allegedly making a threat while passing through a security checkpoint.

The 8:15 a.m. flight to Saint Louis was delayed about 90 minutes.

City prosecutor Marty Conboy says the pilot allegedly told federal airport security agents that, " "I have a ax in the cockpit and I'll chop your head off."

Omaha Airport Authority director Don Smithey says the pilot was arrested by airport police for making threatening remarks. Smithey would not comment on the nature of the pilot's remarks, but he says there were other circumstances that led to the arrest. He declined to elaborate.

Smithey says federal and local authorities are investigating.

American Airlines spokeswoman Julia Bishop-Cross says the pilot was released later in the morning.

 

[350DRIVER]

I have a ax in the cockpit and I'll chop your head off."

Well he didn't lie, there is an ax in the cockpit and just possibly he was in a bind for time and needed to say "something" to attempt to get through security in a hurry.- "0"

Guess TSA didn't bite though- oops.

Should be somewhat interesting when ALL facts have been made public.



3 5 0

 

[B190Captain]

Looks like TSA will collect their first ticket. Based on the absurd policy that enables the TSA to revoke your ticket if you are a "suspected security threat."

Poor guy!

 

[CatYaaak]

[
City prosecutor Marty Conboy says the pilot allegedly told federal airport security agents that, " "I have a ax in the cockpit and I'll chop your head off."

Although his choice of time and place for the comment leaves something to be desired, I do commend him for conjuring up some really cool, Viking-imagery.

Skoll!

 

[ceo_of_the_sofa]

First casualty of flightinfo's flaming debates? Young Gulfstream grad couldn't take it anymore?....come on, fess up, who are you?

 

[RichardFitzwel9]

You know what?....Its about time someone spoke up to the TSA-holes. I mean really, how absurd is it that I (we) can't have anything as simple as a Leatherman, yet as soon as we are onboard the aircraft we have an axe?

I sure could use the Leatherman at times too. You know how hard it is to tighten the screws and nuts on my headset with the crash-axe?

 

[GuppyPuppy]

I sure could use the Leatherman at times too. You know how hard it is to tighten the screws and nuts on my headset with the crash-axe?

Not to mention finding the hidden pictures!

Cheers!

GP

 

[Illini Pilot]

"I said its not like i have a bomb"

"YOU SAID BOMB ON AN AIRPLANE"

"BOMB BA BOMB BOMB BOMB BOMB BA BOMB"

 

[Long Time Gone]

"Is that an axe in your cockpit, or are you just happy to see me?"

 

[BEXFlyer]

Here's a little trick I use. I do not talk to ANY TSA personnel. If they say "hello", I smile. If they say "how are you", I smile and nod my head. We get along great. In my opinion, it has come to this. I do admit, I do not wish it had to be this way, because I do enjoy chatting with people and I'm sure there are some good people in the TSA. However I DESPISE the way the TSA proper, treats the flight crews and I will be **CENSORED****CENSORED****CENSORED****CENSORED**ed if I am going to hand over my ticket to them if a punk with a GED and a ruffle in his shorts determines that I am a "security risk" Try it.

 

[j41driver]

I might have to give BEXFlyer's idea a shot. If you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all, right?

 

[Ismokedya]

I prefer not to smile. I just look at them like they are stupid. It really isn't hard.

 

[Jump Pilot]

Did the TSA folks axe him why he had an axe in the cockpit?

 

[Flyingmike]

OMA TSA are fahqed up

OMA....if you have never had the distinct plaesure of traveling outts OMA you are in for a treat....They act like they are guarding Ft. Knox and they are all over 80......


I ALWAYS get hassled because I look much younger than 27 and they can never believe that a 27 year old can fly and NOT have been in the military.

I can TOTALLY understand the frustration that a pilot goes through when going through security at OMA Eppley field. Nothing worse than jumpseating and being asked for your ticket to get through security and trying to explain it to your 95 year old great-grandparents about the jumpseat process only to have them send you back to the ticket counter (where they do nothing) and continue trying to get through until you finally talk to someone who has a clue.





-Eat Salmon, the OTHER pink meat

 

[dispatchguy]

I adhere to the same rule, dont make eye contact, dont speak unless spoken to, and generally just try and ignore them.

If they speak to me, there are a few screeners at T2 at ORD that I might acknowledge, but the rest I just ignore. If I have to speak, I do it in a monotone voice - to display absolutely no emotion.

If getting wanded, same deal - I just tell him to stop his "I have to do it this way spiel" and do his deal so I can go on.

Yeah, I may come across as arrogant to them, but I no longer care.

 

[Boeingman]

I wonder when the unions will finally grow some balls and put a stop to this bull$hit? It is nothing more than harrassment.

Duane, for your $475k a year how about addressing and take some action (strong) on issues that have your membership enraged? The longer the ALPA (and other unions) sits idle on this security crap the more out of touch I feel they are with the average line pilot.

How long would this flight crew dog and pony show go on if there was a S.O.S?

 

[hagen]

Pilot Kicked Off Omaha Plane Will Not Face Federal Charges
'I Have An Ax,' Pilot Allegedly Says
Posted: 12:37 p.m. EST March 5, 2003
Updated: 5:40 p.m. EST March 5, 2003

OMAHA -- The American Airlines pilot arrested and detained at Omaha's Eppley Airfield on Wednesday will not face federal charges, the FBI told an Omaha television station.

Police boarded the pilot's plane to take him into custody after a security officer reported the pilot saying, "I have an ax in the cockpit and could chop your head off," said city prosecutor Marty Conboy.

Conboy said he was not aware of the pilot displaying an actual weapon.

The pilot was arrested and taken into custody around 8 a.m. He was scheduled to fly passengers from Omaha to St. Louis aboard an 8:15 a.m. American Airlines flight.

The flight took off with another pilot who had been on layover after a 90-minute delay; 112 passengers were on board.

One of the passengers, Scott Terry, said airline officials made an announcement that the flight would possibly be canceled.

At the end of their shift, airport security personnel met about the incident. The threat, Omaha's KETV-TV reports, was directed at a particular security officer.

"There was never any suggestion the public, passengers or planes were in any danger or threatened," Conboy said.

Conboy said he was still looking into the tone and context of the comment to decide whether he will press charges against the pilot.

"You'd think a pilot would certainly realize the people working at those security points are on their side -- watching their back," Conboy said.

Conboy said he would decide within the next 30 days whether the pilot will face charges.

If convicted of disorderly conduct, the pilot could face six months in jail and a $500 fine.

After questioning, the pilot was released.

 

[Pilot877]

Here's a little trick I use. I do not talk to ANY TSA personnel. If they say "hello", I smile. If they say "how are you", I smile and nod my head. We get along great. In my opinion, it has come to this. I do admit, I do not wish it had to be this way, because I do enjoy chatting with people and I'm sure there are some good people in the TSA. However I DESPISE the way the TSA proper, treats the flight crews and I will be **CENSORED****CENSORED****CENSORED****CENSORED**ed if I am going to hand over my ticket to them if a punk with a GED and a ruffle in his shorts determines that I am a "security risk" Try it.

Right-on! I never say a word to them at all, although you are much nicer than I am if you actually smile at them!


"You'd think a pilot would certainly realize the people working at those security points are on their side -- watching their back," Conboy said.

Ummmm......yeah guys, you are so ungrateful......dont you know that Gramps and his gang of high-school punks got yo' back?

 

[seagle]

Was the TSA formed to stop the Bin Ladens of the world from committing horrific terrorist acts or professional flight crews from performing their assigned duties? I am comforted in knowing the TSA is doing a fine job in apprehending pilots. Wonder how many terrorists they have bagged lately? Someone should start keeping score. Pilots 6/Terrorists 0. It's only going to get worse as these folks continue their empire buliding.