Roberta Aguirre
Saying the wrong thing to airline staff can land you in serious trouble. Making a joke or a verbal threat can get a passenger removed from a flight or even arrested. This includes making a bomb threat, which is considered a violation of federal security regulations. In the United States, making a false bomb threat can result in civil and criminal felony charges, with penalties of up to $5,000 in fines, five years in prison, or both. Even if made in jest, any mention of having an explosive device in one's possession must be reported to the authorities, and the individual will be treated as a potential security threat.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Saying the word "bomb" at an airport | Can result in a bomb hoax felony, a maximum penalty of $5,000 or five years imprisonment or both |
| Making a verbal threat or joke about a bomb | Can lead to removal from a flight, arrest, and a permanent ban from the airline |
| Refusing to respond to a crew member's request | Can result in removal from the aircraft |
| Making a bomb threat or bringing explosives to an airport | Denial of expedited screening, suspension from TSA PreCheck, and possible arrest |
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What You'll Learn
Arrest and charges for making a false bomb threat
Making a false bomb threat is a serious offence and can lead to severe consequences, including arrest and criminal charges. While it may seem like a harmless joke to some, authorities are required to take any mention of explosives or threats to an aircraft and its passengers extremely seriously.
In the United States, Section 35 of Title 18 provides civil and criminal felony provisions for the conveyance of false information regarding attempts to destroy, damage, or disable aircraft, aircraft-related facilities, or motor vehicles and their related facilities. This statute is commonly referred to as the "bomb hoax" statute. It includes a civil penalty provision for non-malicious false reports and a felony provision that prescribes maximum penalties of $5,000 in fines, five years imprisonment, or both, for those who wilfully and maliciously convey false information or do so with reckless disregard for human life.
Even if a threat is made in jest, airline staff are required to treat it as a legitimate threat. For example, if a passenger says, "I have a bomb in my bag. Can I get a business-class upgrade?", the flight attendant is obligated to report the statement to the captain, regardless of whether they believe the passenger is joking. The passenger may then be removed from the flight and could face arrest.
Hoax threats are not limited to in-person interactions and can also occur over social media, text messages, or email. Issuing threats via these platforms is a federal crime known as threatening interstate communications. The FBI takes these threats seriously and investigates each one, with perpetrators facing up to five years in federal prison and potential state or local charges.
The consequences of making a false bomb threat can be life-altering, with offenders risking jail time, probation, fines, and a permanent criminal record. Additionally, in the case of threats made to schools, students may face suspension or expulsion, and minors may have their driver's license delayed or suspended.
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Removal from the flight
While there is no law against saying the word "bomb" at an airport, doing so may cause panic and attract unwanted attention from the authorities. In the United States, the "bomb hoax" statute provides civil and criminal felony provisions for the conveyance of false information regarding attempts or alleged attempts to damage or destroy aircraft or aircraft-related facilities. This statute prescribes maximum penalties of $5,000 or five years imprisonment or both for conveying false information willfully and maliciously or with reckless disregard for human life.
When it comes to airline security, nothing is left to interpretation. If a passenger says they have an explosive device, airline staff is required to treat it as a legitimate threat and report it to the captain. The passenger will likely be removed from the flight and may even face arrest. For example, a flight attendant recounted an incident where a passenger jokingly said, "I have a bomb in my bag. Can I get a business-class upgrade?" The flight attendant was required to report the statement to the captain, and the passenger was removed from the flight.
Even if a passenger makes a verbal threat indirectly or refuses to respond to a crew member's request, they can still be removed from the flight. In one instance, a passenger stated that he hoped someone would commit an act of violence against airline employees. Although he did not directly make a threat, he was removed from the aircraft and permanently banned from the airline. In another case, a passenger refused to respond to a flight attendant's request to stow his tray table. The flight returned to the gate, and the passenger was escorted off the aircraft by uniformed officers.
It is important to exercise caution and refrain from making any statements that could be perceived as threats or jokes involving bombs or other violent acts while at an airport or on an aircraft. Such statements will be taken seriously and can result in significant consequences, including removal from the flight, arrest, and legal penalties.
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Maximum penalties of $5,000 or five years imprisonment
When it comes to airline security, nothing is left to interpretation. If you say you have an explosive device in your bag, airline staff is required to treat you as though you have one. This means that even if you are joking, you will be taken seriously and the authorities will be notified.
In the United States, Section 35 of Title 18 provides civil and criminal felony provisions for the conveyance of false information regarding attempts or alleged attempts to destroy, damage, or disable aircraft, aircraft-related facilities, or motor vehicles and their related facilities. This statute is frequently referred to as the "bomb hoax" statute. It contains a civil penalty provision, 18 U.S.C. § 35(a), for non-malicious false reports, and a felony provision, 18 U.S.C. § 35(b), which prescribes maximum penalties of $5,000 or five years' imprisonment, or both, for conveying or imparting false information willfully and maliciously or with reckless disregard for human life.
The penalties for similar offences vary across different states and countries. For example, in Michigan, the maximum sentence for making a false bomb report is four years in prison, but most arrests lead to probation and community service. However, offenders may also be ordered to pay restitution and fines, and the penalties increase for second or subsequent offences, which can result in up to 10 years' imprisonment and a $5,000 fine.
It is important to note that the consequences of making such statements or threats can be severe, even if made in jest. Airline staff and authorities are required to take any mention of explosives or threats of violence seriously, and individuals may find themselves facing legal repercussions, including arrest, fines, or imprisonment, as outlined in the relevant statutes and laws.
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Permanent ban from the airline
Saying "bomb" at an airport or on an airplane can have serious consequences. Making a bomb threat or a verbal threat, in general, can result in removal from a flight, arrest, and even a permanent ban from the airline.
In the United States, Section 35 of Title 18 provides civil and criminal felony provisions for conveying false information regarding attempts to damage or destroy aircraft or aircraft-related facilities. The statute, often referred to as the "bomb hoax" statute, imposes penalties of up to $5,000 in fines, five years in prison, or both for willfully and maliciously imparting false information or acting with reckless disregard for human life.
Additionally, individuals who violate federal security regulations, such as making bomb threats or interfering with flight crew members, may face suspension or permanent disqualification from TSA PreCheck® and other trusted traveler programs. The duration of disqualification is based on the severity of the incident and any history of repeat offenses.
For example, a passenger on a flight to São Paulo, Brazil, made a threatening statement upon boarding, saying that he would shoot airline employees upon landing. Although he later claimed he said he "hoped" someone would commit the violent act, the passenger was removed from the flight and permanently banned from the airline.
It is important to note that airline staff are required to report any mention of explosives or violent acts, even if made in jest. As such, passengers should refrain from making any statements that could be perceived as threats or jokes involving bombs or other dangerous items.
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Denied expedited screening
It is important to note that no individual is guaranteed expedited screening at airports. TSA PreCheck® is a trusted traveller programme that allows low-risk passengers to speed through security without removing their shoes, laptops, liquids, belts, and light jackets. However, even passengers with TSA PreCheck® may be subjected to a pat-down procedure or additional screening at any time as part of the TSA's unpredictable security measures.
Passengers who violate certain Federal security regulations may be denied expedited screening for a period of time. This includes violations such as assault, threat, intimidation, interference with security operations or flight crew, physical or sexual assault, providing false or fraudulent documents, making a bomb threat, or bringing prohibited items to an airport or on board an aircraft. The duration of disqualification from TSA PreCheck® is determined by the severity of the violation and the individual's history of regulatory violations. Membership suspension can range from up to five years for a first-time offence to permanent suspension for egregious or repeat offences.
Making a bomb threat or false statements about explosives is a serious offence and can result in significant consequences. In the United States, the "bomb hoax" statute, Section 35 of Title 18, provides civil and criminal felony provisions for conveying false information regarding attempts to damage or destroy aircraft or related facilities. Penalties for willfully or maliciously conveying false information can include a maximum fine of $5,000, five years imprisonment, or both.
Additionally, airline staff are required to report any suspicious behaviour or statements made by passengers, regardless of whether they are believed to be joking. This includes statements that may indicate a potential threat to the safety of the aircraft or other passengers. Failure to comply with crew requests, including refusing to respond to questions, can also result in removal from the flight and further consequences.
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Frequently asked questions
Saying the word "bomb" at an airport is not illegal in itself, but making a bomb threat is. If you make a bomb threat, you will be denied expedited screening and may be disqualified from TSA PreCheck. You may also be arrested and charged with making a false bomb threat, which carries a maximum penalty of $5,000 or five years imprisonment, or both.
A bomb threat is a statement that imparts or conveys false information regarding attempts to place or the placing of explosives. For example, if you say "I have a bomb in my bag" as a joke, this would be considered a bomb threat even if you did not actually have a bomb.
If you hear someone else make a bomb threat, you should report it to airport security or a flight attendant as soon as possible. It is their job to handle the situation and ensure the safety of everyone at the airport.
The consequences of making a bomb threat at an airport can be severe. In addition to potential legal penalties, including arrest and imprisonment, you may also face civil penalties and be held liable for any damages or losses caused by the threat. You may also be banned from flying on certain airlines or using certain airports.
