Tue, Feb 22, 2005
Woman Mouths Off To Screener, Luggage Blown Up
You see the signs every
time you pass through the airport security checkpoint: Don't even
joke about bombs or guns or knives. Don't even think of protesting
the foolishness of it all... as the TSA has a weird way of getting
even.
The problem was, 46-year old psychiatrist Esha Khoshnu wasn't
joking. Not in the least. Apparently more-than-miffed at the long
line ahead of her as she made her way through security at Sky
Harbor Airport in Phoenix, AZ, Dr. Khoshnu snapped. Police say she
told the screener, "if there was an item in my baggage, the
security screeners probably couldn't find it."
Oops. On further contemplation, that may not have been the
wisest thing the good doctor could have said (no matter how true it
may have been).
She was detained, but her bag made it onto her America West
flight, according to police. The commuter aircraft landed in San
Diego a short time later and its crew was instructed to taxi to a
remote area at Lindbergh Field.
After the 35 or so passengers and crew were carted away by
airport bus, the San Diego Fire Department Bomb Squad moved in.
They found no explosives on board the aircraft. They then located
Dr. Khoshnu's bag and determined there was nothing suspicious about
it. Still, as a precaution (or revenge), they blew it up, then --
to be extra-sure -- they soaked it with water from a fire hose.
After getting the all clear from Lindbergh Field, Phoenix Police
freed the good doctor and sent her on the next flight to San Diego,
where she was scheduled to attend a conference. Phoenix officers
said they would forego charges against her (Felony Frustration?
Misdemeanor Mouthing Off?).
Of course, Dr. Khoshnu's ordeal makes us wonder, who counsels
those who counsel? --ed.
More News
Aero Linx: International Business Aviation Council Ltd IBAC promotes the growth of business aviation, benefiting all sectors of the industry and all regions of the world. As a non->[...]
"During the annual inspection of the B-24 “Diamond Lil” this off-season, we made the determination that 'Lil' needs some new feathers. Due to weathering, the cloth-cove>[...]
Also: Bushcat Woes, Hummingbird 300 SL 4-Seat Heli Kit, Carbon Cub UL The newest Junkers is a faithful recreation that mates a 7-cylinder Verner radial engine to the airframe offer>[...]
Also: Seaplane Pilots Association, Rotax 916’s First Year, Gene Conrad After a decade and a half of struggling with the FAA and other aero-politics, G100UL is in production a>[...]
Also: Martha King Scholarship, Montaer Grows, Textron Updates Pistons, FlySto The FAA is hiring thousands of air traffic controllers, but the window to apply will only be open for >[...]