Thu, Feb 19, 2009
Terminal Cleared After Security Finds Suspect Bicycle. You Read
That Right...
Security officers cleared passengers out of Concourse C at
Memphis International Airport (MEM) Tuesday, after airport police
came across a bicycle chained outside the terminal with a sticker
on it, proclaiming "This Bike is a Pipe Bomb."
WHBQ-13 reports the security issue delayed some flights, and
caused more than a few scary moments for those waiting for
passengers to arrive to the terminal. "That's scary, that's scary,"
said Dora Rogers. "I really was afraid because my daughter was
supposed to be here at six o'clock."
The hubbub also caused trouble for passengers trying to catch
their flights... as traffic backed up on roads into MEM due to the
security scare. "They were starting to get out of their cars
pulling their luggage trying to get to the airport and I was trying
to find out what was going on," Rogers told the Fox affiliate.
As you might have guessed by now -- particularly if you're a fan
of folk-punk music -- there was no bomb in the bicycle. "This
Bike is a Pipe Bomb" is the name of a band from Pensacola, FL,
whose stickers are found on more than few bicycles, especially
those ridden on college campuses.
In fact, this wasn't the first time those stickers have caused
problems. Ohio University was locked down in 2006 after police
there found an unattended bicycle with the sticker on it.
Memphis Airport VP of Operations John Greaud defended the
airport's reaction. "We established a perimeter around it and had a
fire watch in case there was an explosion," he said. "We had one of
our K9 dogs confirm it was not an explosive.
"Safety of the traveling public is our first concern."
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