Multiple Bomb Threats at Bermuda Airport - Thoughts on this voice recording?

Posted by DrunkenGolfer@reddit | aviation | View on Reddit | 7 comments

Last night I listened to this voice recording of the exchange between a BA pilot and ATC Bermuda. There was a bomb threat called in for the flight and another threat called in for the terminal. It took nearly an hour to get the passengers off the plane. I am just curious if someone more knowledgeable than me has thoughts on how the pilot handled the incident, how ATC handled the incident, and if anyone knows what BA's SOPs would be in a case like this. Thanks Recording: [https://youtu.be/w47JD32ByXk?si=8Wq9xzEOV9uz8DB0](https://youtu.be/w47JD32ByXk?si=8Wq9xzEOV9uz8DB0) News Item: [https://www.royalgazette.com/crime/news/article/20240506/roads-closed-and-travellers-taken-off-flight-in-emergency/](https://www.royalgazette.com/crime/news/article/20240506/roads-closed-and-travellers-taken-off-flight-in-emergency/)

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7 Comments

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ReachForTheSkyline@reddit

Absolute insanity that they told the pilot there was a threat then had them sit there for an hour. What kind of an excuse for an emergency response is that? I would be looking to temporarily suspend any routes into that airport if I were running an airline, at least until they can explain what happened and provide assurances they will respond to future emergencies properly. As for the captain, he was put in a very difficult position. Either call for an evacuation that would lead to passengers being injured or sit there and hope the threat wasn't real. Given that ATC kept telling him stairs were about to arrive, I understand why he chose to wait. Hindsight shows he made the right call but he should never have been put in that position.

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flightwatcher45@reddit

Sometimes during a bomb threat people don't like walking around the noted area or driving equipment around noted area. Shelter in place. Sucks for everyone. It was probably the stair driver running late and called it in lol. Glad it wasn't real!

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Brainfart92@reddit

I meant to be flying to Bermuda with BA later this year please can they not do that!

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DangerousPlane@reddit

Seems like just put on a movie or some music and hope for the best. My approach would be to not listen to tower or ground lol

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surSEXECEN@reddit

I think it’s worth noting how frustrating this must have been for ATC as well. Entirely not their fault and the whole time they’re sitting on top of the (old) terminal building. And yet, she was incredibly calm and polite. Kudos.

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DrunkenGolfer@reddit (OP)

She seemed to handle it as well as can be expected. I know they only have two sets of steps that can reach that plane, and probably not many people qualified to operate them at that hour. Once that plane is boarded, I imagine shift is over for many.

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DryProgress4393@reddit

Although the ATC has no control over the availability of ramp equipment how the airport took so long to dispatch the stairs regardless of the situation at the Terminal is pretty bad. The airport authority really needs to do a review of their emergency procedures to help them better respond to something like this in the future.