A MELBOURNE man on a September 11 flight from Brisbane to the US used the aircraft’s in-flight chatroom to tell his fellow passengers: “I have a bomb.”
Apprentice electrician Philip Kirsch, 21, yesterday pleaded guilty in Brisbane Magistrates’ Court to a charge of making threats regarding aviation security, after his “joke” on board V Australia flight 007 as it prepared to fly to Los Angeles on Friday.
Commonwealth prosecutor Sara Parga told the court the flight captain took the threat seriously, particularly because it was the anniversary of 2001 terrorist attacks.
Ms Parga said Kirsch could have created panic by using V Australia’s in-flight touch screen system, which allows passengers to communicate in a web chatroom.
Several other people were using the chatroom.
The captain had “grave concerns” for the passengers and crew and wanted Kirsch removed from the aircraft.
When police boarded the plane, Kirsch admitted sending the message as a “joke”.
The flight was grounded for 91 minutes while the plane and Kirsch’s luggage were searched.
The delay cost V Australia $21,143.
Ms Parga told the court the airline had put Kirsch on a banned passenger list for life.
Magistrate Alan Taylor said Kirsch’s behaviour was “ill-considered, childish in the extreme and was no doubt motivated by factors other than common sense”.
Kirsch was placed on a two-year good behaviour bond, with no conviction recorded, and ordered to pay $1500 to V Australia.
Outside court, Kirsch said: “I’m very remorseful. If I’d thought about it before I said it, I wouldn’t have said it.”
Source:The Herald Sun
By: OneLeft - 14th September 2009 at 19:38
That’s unless they adapt the system so that the message is sent to a robot/vending machine trolley which rolls down the aisle, stops at your seat and dispenses your order.
For God’s sake don’t let Willie Walsh see that post or I’ll be down the job centre quicker than you can order a coke!
1L.
By: rdc1000 - 14th September 2009 at 17:08
The robot probably wouldn’t be very useful in an emergency evacuation though, or in dealing with pax making ‘bomb jokes’..
I guess it could always work in reverse for bomb joke passengers, move down the aisle, lift out of seat, eject out of back door! Not so much fun overall I’m sure though!
By: LukeSW - 14th September 2009 at 16:34
Guys, I don’t think you’ve thought this through. If you purchase your items from the “dinner lady” as she pases by then you only see her once…if you order your drink, then find she’s pretty, then you can order some peanuts later, and then perhaps some pringles, and then perhaps that bar of chocolate..
Haha, exactly.. when you order from the PTV, a flight attendant will still serve your order so it doesn’t make much difference in that way really! That’s unless they adapt the system so that the message is sent to a robot/vending machine trolley which rolls down the aisle, stops at your seat and dispenses your order.. The robot probably wouldn’t be very useful in an emergency evacuation though, or in dealing with pax making ‘bomb jokes’..
By: rdc1000 - 14th September 2009 at 13:02
I prefer the Dinner ladies to bring it with a smile. Blokes cabin crew…..I’d send Email.
I’m with you on that x2. I’d much rarther have a “dinner lady” than an e-mail to a vending machine by the rear exit.:diablo:
Guys, I don’t think you’ve thought this through. If you purchase your items from the “dinner lady” as she pases by then you only see her once…if you order your drink, then find she’s pretty, then you can order some peanuts later, and then perhaps some pringles, and then perhaps that bar of chocolate..each item one at a time, and then you’ve had her personally smile at you four times. Of course I would only order pre-packaged items by the end of this method because she’ll be so p*ssed off at being dragged down the cabin again and again (and not being left in peace with her copy of Hello!) she’s likely to spit in the later items!
Another way to look at it is that this is far more personal..it’s like a la carte in first class!
By: Ren Frew - 13th September 2009 at 20:45
I prefer the Dinner ladies to bring it with a smile. Blokes cabin crew…..I’d send Email.
As for the subject matter, the pillock should pay the losses incurred and have a 5 year flight ban.
I’m with you on that x2. I’d much rarther have a “dinner lady” than an e-mail to a vending machine by the rear exit.:diablo:
By: old shape - 13th September 2009 at 20:19
Yep, pretty much – Virgin America uses a system where food and drink is ordered using the PTV, sending the request to a computer in the galley. Not sure if V Australia use the same system. I think it’s quite a good idea myself..
I prefer the Dinner ladies to bring it with a smile. Blokes cabin crew…..I’d send Email.
As for the subject matter, the pillock should pay the losses incurred and have a 5 year flight ban.
By: LukeSW - 13th September 2009 at 17:45
An inflight chatroom ? Whatever next, ordering your drinks by e-mail perhaps… how impersonal !
Yep, pretty much – Virgin America uses a system where food and drink is ordered using the PTV, sending the request to a computer in the galley. Not sure if V Australia use the same system. I think it’s quite a good idea myself..
By: Ren Frew - 13th September 2009 at 16:19
An inflight chatroom ? Whatever next, ordering your drinks by e-mail perhaps… how impersonal !
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September 13, 2009 at 5:32 am