Stick of Dynamite Found in Checked Luggage

The Washington Times ^ | Aug 25, 7:01 PM EDT | KRISTEN HAYS

[kellynla]

HOUSTON (AP) -- A stick of dynamite was found in a college student's checked luggage on a Continental Airlines flight from Argentina, in one of six security incidents Friday that caused U.S. flights to be diverted, evacuated or searched.

Federal authorities were investigating why the student, who got off the Continental plane in Houston before it continued to Newark, N.J., had the explosive, FBI spokeswoman Shauna Dunlap said.

The student, Howard McFarland Fish, 21, was in federal custody and authorities determined his actions were not acts of terrorism, according to the Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

Fish told authorities he works in mining and often handles explosives, Houston Fire Department Assistant Chief Omero Longoria said. Longoria said federal officials were investigating whether the explanation was true.

In other incidents:

-An American Airlines flight from England to Chicago was forced to land in Bangor, Maine, in response to an unspecified threat, authorities said. Passengers deplaned and were led to a holding area, said airport manager Rebecca Hupp. The jetliner was on the tarmac with its engines shut off.

"Given the current threat level, the agency, in conjunction with other federal authorities, took prudent action to assure the safety of the passengers and crew," the federal Transportation Security Administration said in a statement.

-A US Airways jet was diverted to Oklahoma City after a federal air marshal subdued a disruptive passenger who had pushed a flight attendant, the FBI said.

-A Continental Airlines flight from Corpus Christi, Texas, to Bakersfield, Calif., was held in El Paso, one of its scheduled stops, after the crew discovered a missing panel in the lavatory, authorities said.

-A utility knife was found on a vacant passenger seat of a US Airways flight traveling from Philadelphia to Bradley International Airport in Connecticut, state police said.

[Cletus.D.Yokel]

Does "headline" = "truth" ?

[butternut_squash_bisque]

"...authorities determined his actions were not acts of terrorism..."

Huh?

[RightWhale]

Six flights were diverted today. While dynamite is a stupid thing to pack in your luggage, this nor any of the other flights were in actual danger of terrorism.

[Armedanddangerous]

You would think these boneheads would learn, but they never do.

It reminds me of the guy I heard about this week who took a trip to Turkey with a penis Pump in his luggage. When TSA asked what it was, he reportedly said "No promblem, it's just a bomb."

And he was surprised that he was led away in handcuffs.

[garyhope]

I always carry a big stick,...of dynamite. But of course, I always carry it in my pants if you know what I mean, nudge, nudge, wink, wink.

And I'm always glad to see Mae West.

[Billthedrill]

Well of course he checked a stick of dynamite. They won't let you put it in carry-on. Think, people.

[D Rider]

If your going to travel with dynamite, the responsible thing to do is check in with your luggage. Heck, you can't even get on a plane with a pocket knife in your pocket or carry-on anymore.

[Doctor Stochastic]

1933

1949

1955

Database

[cajungirl]

I can see his packing list for college:

Pop corn maker
microwave, tv, IPOD, sat radio, puter, dynamite, towels, sheets, condoms, dynamite, blasting cap, microwave

[layman]

A stick of dynamite was found in a college student's checked luggage

I read on another account that it was 'traces' of dynamite found, not a 'stick' of dynamite. One or both of the reports are wrong.

[RightWhale]

I heard it was a partial stick, which will explode with a satisfying puff of smoke almost as well as a full stick.

[doug from upland]

Every Halloween, the trees are filled with underwear. Every spring, the toilets explode.
...Dean Wormer

[TWohlford]

"I heard it was a partial stick, which will explode with a satisfying puff of smoke almost as well as a full stick."

yeah, I heard it wasn't real... fake stick.

Still realllllly stupid to bring it on board an airplane.

[eeriegeno]

Fish told authorities he works in mining and often handles explosives, Houston Fire Department Assistant Chief Omero Longoria said. Longoria said federal officials were investigating whether the explanation was true.

Good that he has experience. It will come in handy as he busts rocks at Leavenworth for the next 10 years!!!

Earth to federal officials, it is a federal violation to carry dynamite on board a passenger plane regardless of whether this idiots story is TRUE or false?????

[stm]

"I hate those guys........."

[isom35]

maybe it was Acme Dynamite, the brand that crazy coyote uses.

[calex59]

I read on another account that it was 'traces' of dynamite found, not a 'stick' of dynamite. One or both of the reports are wrong.

Actually, from what I have read, he had traces of dynamite on him, this led to a search of his luggage whitch revealed the stick of dynamite. Can't testify to the truthfullness of any of these reports however.

[Billthedrill]

LOL! Yeh, "Mom, can I have some Semtex? All the other kids have it..."

[SWAMPSNIPER]

I heard the bag tested positive for "traces". If someone's nitroglycerine tablets spilled out in the bag it is possible they could get the same test response.