Another Shoe Bomber (maybe)

[FlyboyAl]

Just saw the end of a report on local LA News about some guy who was caught by airmarshals trying to light his shoes or blow them up or something. Only got the end of it, and now "Walker Texas Ranger" is on, so I'll watch it in the morning.
I really hope is not true, or a misunderstanding or something as this will make everyone even MORE paranoid over here.

 

[FlyboyAl]

A little more here - looks like you can do anything when you are a diplomat!
Diplomat Arrested in Plane Disturbance



Federal air marshals restrained a man who allegedly attempted to light his shoes on fire aboard a United Airlines plane headed from Washington, D.C., to Denver Wednesday night. An explosives team headed to the airport to examine the scene. The incident could have been an attempt at a “shoe bomb,” or simply a joke gone wrong—the man could have been trying to light a cigarette. Authorities said the suspect was Mohammed al Modadi, a diplomat at the Qatar embassy in Washington. The FBI told ABC News that al Modadi had diplomatic immunity as the third secretary and vice-consul. Two fighter jets were scrambled from Buckley Air Force Base to accompany United Flight 663, a Boeing 757, as it flew the last 40 miles of its flight to Denver. (It landed safely and was directed to a remote location at the airport.)

 

[serfty]

See here:

* Shoe Bomb Alert On US Plane As Qatari Diplomat Subdued

* 'Shoe bomb' furore on US flight sparked by alleged bathroom smoker | Herald Sun

 

[UP4014]

A diplomat no less, and when confronted for being in the toilet and the air marshall smelling smoke said something like he "was trying to light up his shoes" maybe as a joke.

Despite diplomatic immunity, they took him into custody.

 

[djfuzz]

If it was a joke, it was the most un-diplomatic joke possible.

If it was an overreaction or misunderstanding, presumably the error will be ignored or possibly exploited to add / justify stepping up the threat level.

Interesting to see how it will play out, particularly with the issue of diplomatic immunity.

 

[FlyboyAl]

NBC is now reporting that he was smoking in the restroom, and made some comment about putting his smoke out on the sole of his shoe. This was after a FA smelt smoke, and there happenned to be an air marshall on board who challenged him.
Everyone over here seems to have now settled down, but I'm sure it will be around for a few more days.
NBC also reports the plane sat on the tarmac for over an hour before passengers were let off.

 

[samh004]

Seems like the logical answer would be to ban lighters and matches on-board, as you can’t smoke anyway, and if you really need a smoke when you leave the terminal I’m sure a vendor will sell a lighter, or you could ask any of the other smokers for a lite.

 

[docjames]

diplomatic immunity.

Every time I see that phrase, i cant help but think of Lethal Weapon .......

 

[sr81]

Seems like the logical answer would be to ban lighters and matches on-board, as you can’t smoke anyway, and if you really need a smoke when you leave the terminal I’m sure a vendor will sell a lighter, or you could ask any of the other smokers for a lite.

Lighters were banned for quite some time and only recently allowed back as carry on. I remember the lighter pile at JFK T8 was huge at the TSA check point.

The diplomat was having a quiet smoke and got busted. Not the smartest thing to do.

 

[Mal]

The diplomat was having a quiet smoke and got busted. Not the smartest thing to do.

Wonder if he'll be asked by the U.S to leave and not return? Or would that cause too much of a diplomatic row I wonder?

 

[samh004]

Wonder if he'll be asked by the U.S to leave and not return? Or would that cause too much of a diplomatic row I wonder?

It’s Qatar, not Saudi Arabia

 

[Mal]

And he is being sent home...

washingtonpost.com

As Madadi was returning to Washington on Thursday, accompanied by embassy staff members, the State Department made it clear to the Qatari government that it would declare him persona non grata and expel him if Qatar did not remove him. U.S. officials said Qatar, one of the closest U.S. allies in the Persian Gulf region, will send him home.