Things have gotten a lot more strict with airline security in a post-9/11 world, but still, there are enough harrowing tales about security slip-ups to keep some people up at night. One of these is the story of an Allegiant Air passenger who forced a flight to be diverted when he claimed his laptop had been wired to explode.
There are plenty of people working behind the scenes to make sure we're safe on planes, and while some might find body scanners a little too invasive, they're an important part of making sure nothing untoward makes it onto your flight.
People are allowed to take electronics onto planes, and in one worrying tale, a recently released psychiatric patient apparently claimed his laptop was wired to explode. We've seen enough hijack movies like Con Air and heard enough real-life horror stories like 1986's Pan Am Flight 73 to know how serious this kind of threat can be.
In an affidavit viewed by The Independent, Allegiant Air flight 1023 was forced to divert when Taj Malik Taylor claimed his laptop could be an explosive device. Carrying 177 passengers and six crew from Florida's St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport to Virginia's Roanoke-Blacksburg Regional Airport, 1023 was only up in the air for less than an hour before it was forced to turn back.
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The affidavit states that the 27-year-old Taylor told the passenger next to him at least twice, "I have a bomb." When they asked why he'd make such a statement, Taylor reportedly held up his laptop and said: "This is a bomb."
The Florida man was arrested upon landing and said he'd just been released from a psychiatric facility. Although Taylor claims he was taking his prescribed medication, he admitted that he was "currently suffering from a lack of clarity."
Taylor took a blow to the head during a 2013 football game and suffered a Grade 3 (the most severe) concussion. Immediate medical examination is required for a full recovery, whereas Taylor was unconscious for over 10 minutes, with it being up to 20 minutes before paramedics arrived.
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The affidavit states he took his seat on the last row of the aircraft and started speaking to the woman on his left.
Other passengers were said to hear his statement with his laptop described as "a black rectangular object (later determined to be his laptop in a black case)."
The woman to his left is said to have reported the exchange to the cabin crew and was moved to a different seat. At this point, the captain "determined that the aircraft would reroute" back to St. Pete-Clearwater, the affidavit states.
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Deputies with the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office spoke to Taylor after he was apprehended, with the affidavit stating: "Taylor did not admit to making the bomb threats but stated that [the woman sitting next to him aboard the flight] was rude to him.
"Taylor stated that he was recently released from a mental health facility. He stated that he took his medication last night and that he was currently suffering from a lack of clarity. He further stated that he has more clarity when he takes his medication."
A K-9 unit deemed that the device wasn't dangerous, although Taylor could face up to five years in prison over the flight fracas. Jail records show Taylor was arrested on a charge of conveying false information or threats but was released shortly after.