Ann Arbor family sat near passenger on Sunday's Northwest flight; officials say he was ill, not a threat
Armed officers on Sunday rushed aboard the same Detroit-bound Northwest Airlines flight that was attacked on Christmas Day, but the perceived threat wasn't much of a danger — just an ill traveler who spent too much time in the bathroom.
Coming so soon after a Nigerian was accused of trying to blow up a plane, authorities quickly responded to an emergency call from the crew on Flight 253 from Amsterdam. Some of the 256 passengers were rattled while others apparently weren't aware of the incident.
One family from Ann Arbor was aboard the flight, returning home after visiting relatives in the Netherlands.
Tim Jeronimus, 13, said he was "a bit nervous" when officers entered, and his 11-year-old sister, Emma, said she was scared.
Their mother, Jane Jeronimus, said the captain told passengers that no arrival gates were available.
"I said to my husband, 'That's not true,'" she later recalled inside the terminal at Detroit Metropolitan Airport. Airport police and border officers then entered the cabin to remove the man from the plane.
Passengers were safely evacuated, and luggage was lined up on the ground for inspection by bomb-sniffing dogs.
The passenger, also a Nigerian, was a businessman who was sick and posed no security threat, said two law enforcement officials who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the incident.
The traveler in question had "spent a lengthy time in the restroom," FBI spokeswoman Sandra Berchtold said.
"This raised concerns so an alert was raised. ... The investigation shows that this was a non-serious incident and all is clear at this point," she said.
The passenger was released after questioning, Berchtold said.
The man used the bathroom several times during the trip and refused to come out as the plane was preparing to land, said Lester Robinson, head of the Wayne County Airport Authority.
"The guy didn't want to stay in his seat," said Henna Solamaa, a traveler from Finland who was aboard the Airbus 330 on Sunday.
Passengers apparently saw no cause for concern until the man got up to go to the bathroom after crew members told passengers to stay in their seats for the last hour of the flight. Witnesses said people seemed more concerned that somebody was defying crew orders, not that the man seemed suspicious.
Tim Jeronimus said crew members banged on the bathroom door several times, and the passenger refused to get out. The Jeronimus family was sitting near the passenger.
Just two days earlier, Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab, 23, attempted to destroy a plane by igniting an explosive on his body shortly before arrival in Detroit, the FBI says. Passengers pounced on him to extinguish the flames.
That scare has led to new security rules that were a factor in Sunday's incident. Passengers were told to stay in their seats and keep their laps clear for the final hour.
"Even if you're sick, you have to pay respect to what the flight crew is saying," said Robert Ficano, Wayne County chief executive.
Gregory Tucker, 42, of The Hague, Netherlands, said he didn't see or hear any disruption.
"It didn't seem particularly effective," Tucker said of the new security rules.
Hitesh Desai said he was anxious throughout the incident.
"It does feel surreal that this is happening," Desai, 45, of Rochester Hills, said later.
Comments
zollar
Tue, Dec 29, 2009 : 8:41 a.m.
( For a domestic travel) Add a couple of days to your vacation/travel plans and take the train. Problem solved.
RSJ
Mon, Dec 28, 2009 : 8:59 p.m.
we just flew from mexico to denver. i have an 8 year old who had diarrhea and there was no way for her to sit in her seat for the last hour. when we flew into israel, the last 30 minutes we had to be in our seats, and it was doable. they also kept announcing how much time was left, as to give people ample time to do their business. this time, on united, we were told only minutes before the deadline to stay seated. when i was told i had to sit down, i mentioned the problem, and they let it go. i am sure that there are exceptions to the rules- especially when dealing with children. As for the folks out there that have IBS or Colitis, I also don't see how this whole hour of no movement would work. one whole hour is just too much.
minnie
Mon, Dec 28, 2009 : 7:56 p.m.
I don't believe a word of any of this. The guy was not sick! He was a scout seeing how long and far he could push the system. Are we that stupid to just take the report that "he was not a threat"? What? To keep us calm? Come on! There are terrorists and I am not profiling, but sorry, let's start profiling and forget all of you political correctness people. Give me a break! We have young men and women dying for our country, and we have OBAMA playing golf in Hawaiiiiiiiiiiii!! I feel safe.
bruno_uno
Mon, Dec 28, 2009 : 5:56 p.m.
tlb- I saw him on the networks and cable news channels so yeah, during the holiday season I guess I have no life...as for the actual terrorist attempt on Christmas Day, I hope this changes our security tactics of tearing apart cars of retired canadians driving to florida for the winter and spend more time on investigating reported would be terrorists based on intelligence received.
BobbyTarsus
Mon, Dec 28, 2009 : 5:39 p.m.
To paraphrase Franklin: Those who exchange liberty for safety deserve neither.
tlb1201
Mon, Dec 28, 2009 : 3:27 p.m.
@Steven Harper Piziks: I think it would be great if TSA could stop people at will from boarding for safety reasons. Maybe that would keep some of the kooks like Mr. Flaming Underpants off of our airliners and out of our country. It has been reported that he was allowed to board the plane without a passport. Security is too lax and our borders are too porous if that sort of thing can happen. If anything does not seem right, keep them off of the plane now and sort it out later. No exceptions without putting suspicions and red flags to rest first. Too bad if someone who doesn't have good travel documents is delayed. I would expect that if it was me. Lives may be saved.
1ofalpha
Mon, Dec 28, 2009 : 3:03 p.m.
I note, by some posts, many people remain in denial. We are a country at war with real enemies who are intent to kill us without regard to civilian or military status (either). Perhaps "surreal" is the result of an awakening and a falling back asleep of the villagers.
bedrog
Mon, Dec 28, 2009 : 2:08 p.m.
re goblus....im more worried about local apologists for islamist facism hereabouts than i am about prudent homeland security procedures... id rather have an airmarshal or several on my flight than those who agree with goblus point of view.....and he/she probably would be better off too, unless he/she is suicidal.
jcj
Mon, Dec 28, 2009 : 11:03 a.m.
Does anybody think it is unreasonable to ask people not to go to the bathroom for 1 hour before landing? 20 - 30 min OK but 1 hour is ridiculous And unnecessary!
Steven Harper Piziks
Mon, Dec 28, 2009 : 10:50 a.m.
It's only a matter of time before TSA decides that passengers may not board airplanes at all for safety reasons.
quitoslady
Mon, Dec 28, 2009 : 10:18 a.m.
He was supposed to "pay respect" to the flight crew and poop his pants?
tlb1201
Mon, Dec 28, 2009 : 10:15 a.m.
Where does do you read that Ficano was at the airport?! How do you know that they didn't call him? Not to defend politicians, but geez guys, get a life!
packman
Mon, Dec 28, 2009 : 9:54 a.m.
Politicians never let a "crisis go to waste."
bruno_uno
Mon, Dec 28, 2009 : 9:01 a.m.
why did ficano show up at the airport to address the press on this false alarm?