FBI: No Explosives Found on United Jet in Denver

ABC ^

[MindBender26]

FBI: No Explosives Found on United Jet in Denver Authorities Say Qatari Diplomat Told Air Marshals, 'I'm Lighting My Shoes'

FBI agents say no explosives were found in the shoes of a Qatar diplomat who was subdued by federal air marshals on a United flight to Denver Wednesday night after allegedly telling the marshals, "I'm lighting my shoes on fire."

Authorities say the diplomat was wrestled to the ground and two F-16 fighter jets were dispatched to accompany the 757 on the final 40 minutes of its flight to Denver. Flight 663 originated from Washington Reagan airport.

A US security official said, "it may have been a massive misunderstanding" and the diplomat's statement may have been a "sarcastic" comment when he was confronted by two air marshals who had been told by flight attendants that smoke was coming from the lavatory.

[Wissa]

How long before the Air Marshall is charged with assault?

Maybe they can settle it all with a beer summit.

[camerongood210]

With as sensitive as people are to the smell of cigarette smoke, the smell should have been immediately recognizable.

That was one of my first thoughts as well. I can't decide if this guy is just a total moron or if something fishy is going on here.

[camerongood210]

This is starting to sound strangely like the sinking of the South Korean Ship the other day.

Shark bumps?

[Deo volente]

They’ll probably grant them an exemption to smoke in their seats so there won’t be any more “misunderstandings”.

[Palladin]

Mohammed al Modadi

That’s a fishy name.

[FlyingEagle]

Oh, a massive misunderstanding - well ok then.

The terrorist should be immediately blindfolded, shot on the tarmac, and buried in a pig carcass, on the spot. (General Jack Black Pershing - style)

That should put an end to misunderstandings.

[Kozak]

I suggest we return him to Qatar at 30,000 feet and terminal velocity with a note stating his diplomatic credentials are revoked....

[camerongood210]

I suggest we return him to Qatar at 30,000 feet and terminal velocity with a note stating his diplomatic credentials are revoked....

Just drown him in pig blood

[240B]

I know why they believed him.

If anyone has smoked a local cigarette in the ME then you know as I do that they really do smell and taste like a burning shoe.

[Wisconsinlady]

This may be a dry run just to see if we would have the guts to react again against an Islamic Extremist. There I said the dirty words.

[Deo volente]

Qatari diplomat or Islamic Extremist Terrorist? You decide.

Well, one thing's certain. They now know there were two air marshalls on that flight, and how quickly the military jets were scrambled. That's valuable information.

[Thumper1960]

So....isn't it a Federal crime to even joke about having a bomb or a gun or mention hijacking while in an airport or on a plane??

[Ramius]

Some diplomat!

Heh. Not anymore, I'm thinkin'.

[Tench_Coxe]

"Probably having a cigarette in the bathroom and was being a wise azz when caught. They’ll do nothing to him."

Let the passengers take care of him.

[csvset]

Too bad Peter Sellers is no longer with us.

He'd do a wonderful job portraying a Qatari diplomat that gets his ass kicked with wise cracking with security.

[marron]

They now know there were two air marshalls on that flight, and how quickly the military jets were scrambled. That's valuable information.

Exactly. It was a bump. Someone else on the plane is observing and measuring the response.

Remember the Christmas bomber? They had a guy filming the whole thing. Bump. Measure the response.

[MindBender26]

Bhutt huv coorze!

[Palladin]

Such an easy way to get this info AND they sent someone with diplomatic immunity. Clever, these Arabs.

They (Islamic Extremists) now think they are untouchable because of their friend and co-religionist in the White House.

Expect many more incidents soon.

[dragnet2]

The guy was only trying to light cigar in the can...wow

[potlatch]

We should have known, they are already trying to call it a ‘misunderstanding’!!!