UA2092 Bomb Threat Diversion

Was waiting for a flight a couple weeks ago and the next gate over on the PA said TSA was doing enhanced security and checking everybody's ID against their boarding passes. When their flight was close to boarding time they came on the PA again to say the current delay was because they were re-checking the entire plane before letting anyone board.

[-]

phantom784@reddit

I was on a flight that had a dead-heading employee on it. Apparently, he was randomly selected for extra TSA screening but someone messed up and he wasn't checked. They figured this out when we were taxiing, so we had to go back to the gate for him to be screened.

[-]

BigfootTundra@reddit

What is a dead hunting employee

[-]

GardenPeep@reddit

I suspect the Iran war is causing heightened security that TSA doesn’t explicitly tell pax about.

[-]

detectedbeats@reddit

Not sure if have seen an aircraft deploy the slides for a bomb threat before. Why do you think they didn't use air stairs?

[-]

BigfootTundra@reddit

The ATC said they were working on stairs but then said they haven’t seen them come out yet. So seems like the airport was just too slow getting the stairs out there

[-]

TheEggyMule@reddit (OP)

They had to get airstairs from the terminal, i thibk they wanted to deplane as fast as possible, so they blew the slides

[-]

kingtacticool@reddit

That sounds expensive

[-]

TheEggyMule@reddit (OP)

Yea those slides have a coating on them that needs to be resprayed, and then they need repacked. It approaches 6 figures per slide when they are deployed and used.

[-]

LUS001@reddit

Thats insane. What even is the cost breakdown?

[-]

TheEggyMule@reddit (OP)

When they accidentally blow they just need to be repacked, and that is still pretty expensive (like 10k). If they are used after they blow they need refurbished, re-coated, retested, and reinspected. All that cost plus the normal aviation mark up adds up haha

[-]

poopsack_williams@reddit

Coated for butt slideability or a fire retardant that gets wiped off by the butts?

[-]

TheEggyMule@reddit (OP)

I believe the coating is for butt slideability and to prevent friction burns haha but there might also be a fire retardant component (there are in most aviation materials), i dont know the exact specs on it!

[-]

urversbttm@reddit

There’s a lot of friction involved with bags packed tightly and that expand quickly. Airbags also have to be coated or they’ll melt during regular use.

If you pressure pieces of pretty much anything tightly together and rub/vibrate it, it will weld itself. That’s how most plastic items are put together, and rockets too. You don’t see welds on rockets because they “stir weld” the aluminum pieces together.

[-]

simple_Spirit970@reddit

I assure you, you can see stir welds. If you don't see a weld its likely because of paint, or additional post processing.

[-]

urversbttm@reddit

Not necessarily, if done properly.

[-]

simple_Spirit970@reddit

Even though you chose the least visible example on (I assume) google image search, you can still clearly see the weld path. And I assure you that in person it is very obvious.

Rather than doubling down on wrong information you should consider correcting your earlier statement.

[-]

urversbttm@reddit

Right right, so obvious you can paint over it to hide it.

Another option I could choose would be to reiterate my point, which is that friction can cause components of the air slide to melt, or weld together.

Those slides are packed together tightly in the aircraft, which also vibrates during use. Unless you’re repacking your slides frequently, they need to be able to withstand that friction without melting or forming holes.

Do you have anything to add to what I’m saying or do you want to stick with being upset that two objects can be brought together using friction without you necessarily being able to see where they’re joined?

[-]

simple_Spirit970@reddit

You made a patently false claim about how friction stir welding looks, and rather than admit it, you're doubling down on bullshit. Pretty funny tbh.

[-]

urversbttm@reddit

Nah, you’re out here making blanket statements, then contradicting that same statement, as if you know every material composition and every machine involved.

My 5 second image search showed an example of what I mentioned. You contradicted yourself by stating you could paint over it to cover it up. That statement shows it doesn’t have to leave any real delineation marks.

And btw, everything we have and do was at some point impossible, all the way up until it wasn’t.

Have a good night.

[-]

simple_Spirit970@reddit

For anyone wondering what stir welding looks like, it is very obvious where seams are until post processing, and even then you can tell if you look closely and its not painted over with a thick coat of paint.

Ignore this clown's misinformation.

[-]

urversbttm@reddit

Most people already know to ignore a person speaking in absolutes that can’t possibly encompass all use cases of all material compositions.

Nice pic though. I’d be willing to bet most people won’t see that as a weld. Which is the point, it’s friction. It doesn’t require adding material and building up a weld line on the product. Friction alone can soften/melt and weld stuff together.

[-]

simple_Spirit970@reddit

Oh now youre trying to explain the process to cover your ass, as though you have any clue what it is. Tell me, how much friction stir welding have you done? Any? Oh, none? We're shocked. Shocked!

Still spewing smoke instead of admitting your mistake 🤡

[-]

urversbttm@reddit

Trying to help you understand the point, but that appears to be beyond your abilities.

[-]

simple_Spirit970@reddit

Imagine being so stupid that you tell people who weld what welds look like. Imagine being you 🤡

[-]

TheEggyMule@reddit (OP)

The coating is specifically on the contact surface people use, it is a lubricant so people dont get hung up. There might be a powder or coating used for packing to prevent what you mentioned, but the expensive coating is only the slide surface. This is why it is cheaper to repack a slide if it inflates and is unused.

[-]

timesuck47@reddit

I figured it had something to do with opening them too unfold and deploy. Your explanation was better.

[-]

TheEggyMule@reddit (OP)

The expensive coating is only on the portion of the slide that used, it is specifically to lubricate the surface so people dont get hung up. Thats why the slide can deploy and be repacked cheaper if not used. If used that coating must be reapplied.

There might be a powder or coating for packing, but unlike airbags these dont deploy in a fraction of a second, they take 3 or so seconds to inflate.

[-]

flippant_burgers@reddit

So am I buttering myself up with special PFAS sauce if I use one of these?

[-]

TheEggyMule@reddit (OP)

More or less, yea haha

[-]

_meshy@reddit

I wanna know how fun it is to slide down one.... You know, if there isn't an emergency going on.

[-]

percbish@reddit

You saved me a Google thanks for the info

[-]

Actual_Succotash2070@reddit

Six figures is nothing when passengers' safety is at risk.

[-]

turpentinedreamer@reddit

Not as bad as when it happens by not disarming the doors during regular ops.

[-]

pturtle@reddit

I had a neighbor who was a United mechanic at DEN. He let me come tour the facility and was showing my around a 777 when I commented about how tall the rear of the plane was. He decided to show me by opening the door. It had not been disarmed. So I got to watch the slide deploy which was pretty neat. The he told me I needed to head out because he would have to have a talk with his boss... Fortunately he'd been there a long time, so he didn't get punished, but he did tell me that it would be around $30,000 to replace.

[-]

slothtax@reddit

Did you get to go down the slide?

[-]

Inevitable-Rush-2752@reddit

Might as well, right?

[-]

Dazzling-Produce-471@reddit

I’ve heard going down the slide has a pretty high risk of broken bones, etc. and really isn’t that fun.

[-]

Inevitable-Rush-2752@reddit

Oh, I should delete my last reply about YOLO-ing the jump.

[-]

cougarliscious@reddit

It's too late. U gotta take the slide now

[-]

PatMyHolmes@reddit

Nah. YOLO still applies.

[-]

scolbath@reddit

No! Kelsey at 74Gear has a YouTube video about that. If the slide is blown and not used, it can be repacked. If the slide is blown AND used, well... New slide time.

[-]

Inevitable-Rush-2752@reddit

I see. You made some good points. Nevertheless…YOLO

[-]

pturtle@reddit

I did not. I did look down the slide and think, "the only reason I'm sliding down that is if the plane is on fire."

[-]

Badrear@reddit

When I worked for a former UAX airline, a flight attendant trainer accidentally blew a slide on a plane at DEN and then told the class they might as well do their slide training. She forgot that for slide training, they put some carpet or something under the slide so they just have to repack it. Ruined the slide and cost the company a ton of extra money.

[-]

GreatMinds1234@reddit

Happened with us. I want there but can you imagine the slide blowing into the jetway?

[-]

MacGibber@reddit

And we’ve seen that a few times, even more exciting when the slide fills the jet bridge

[-]

danit0ba94@reddit

Oh it is expensive.
But far less so than the alternative. :/

[-]

FoofaFighters@reddit

Think of how good the slides feel though

[-]

BnaditCorps@reddit

Lot cheaper than hundreds of wrongful death lawsuits; those would total in the tens of millions.

[-]

OneLorgeHorseyDog@reddit

Less expensive than the cost of losing lives because you were slow to deplane in these circumstances lol

[-]

slightlyhandiquacked@reddit

Saudia 163 has entered the chat

[-]

Educational-Coat-750@reddit

One of the most infuriating stories in the history of aviation

[-]

TypicalRecon@reddit

let the insurance company deal with that, im out of there.

[-]

Terminal_Phase@reddit

Do you know what’s more expensive? Hundreds of lawsuits when people get blown up. Getting passengers off the plane was the priority. Not waiting for air stairs.

[-]

kingtacticool@reddit

Both of our statements can be true. I wasn't saying they should have waited for the air stairs, just that a full deployment of slides looks expensive.

[-]

TheCrudMan@reddit

What would you be saying if the plane blew up while sitting on the taxiway waiting for air stairs?

[-]

kingtacticool@reddit

"Oh the humanity"?

[-]

Js987@reddit

I’m willing to bet their insurance covers when it’s used in an actual emergency and not due to negligence by an employee not disabling a slide, but even if there’s a terrorism/act of war type exception, paying for the slides still cheaper than if they didn’t get everybody off and the threat was real.

[-]

Marxs33@reddit

Better than potential deaths

[-]

Forsaken_Butterfly22@reddit

Air stairs couldn't be provided at that moment

[-]

Jest0riz0r@reddit

I'd expect the airport's fire department to have emergency stairs with very short setup time, so that shouldn't be an issue.

[-]

Kinder22@reddit

They had to deplane because there might have been a bomb on board. Might as well ask why they didn’t just taxi up to the terminal.

[-]

collegefootballfan69@reddit

Good question, why didn’t they pull up to the terminal that way everyone can take their bags??? Seems silly to leave the bags if its going to blow up, right???

[-]

ComprehensiveFill471@reddit

Made me laugh out loud. Thanks!

[-]

Chairboy@reddit

Passengers during emergencies: [unironically thinking this]

[-]

GreatMinds1234@reddit

If the threat was credible and time sensitive, they just wanted everybody to get to safety. Stairs would have had to be brought there and also partners will automatically assume that they can take their carry on bags with them, which is in an on- board threat situation an understandable no-no.

[-]

itchygentleman@reddit

I was boarding a plane in Winnipeg, and the airport was put on lockdown while a (i think) westjet landed due to a bomb threat, and they deployed the slides as well.

[-]

aqaba_is_over_there@reddit

Can they fly without pax without the slides or will they have to be repaired on site in PIT?

[-]

AirtimeAficionado@reddit

They will be replaced onsite with prepacked ones sent in from another scheduled flight to/from a maintenance hub and the used slides will be rolled and transported as cargo back to be repacked. The plane could do a revenue service from PIT following this, and might need to if they reposition a plane already there to handle the displaced pax on this plane, but I don’t know what they will do with it

[-]

icedemon55@reddit

They will send in 4 packed slide and install them return the aircraft to service, probably takes an hour or 2 to replace them. The deployed slides will be sent for evaluation and re-pack.

[-]

Samurlough@reddit

Must be repaired so crew can do an emergency evacuation

[-]

nursescaneatme@reddit

Funsies?

[-]

galaxyk8@reddit

I saw on another sub they requested stairs but weren’t able to get them

[-]

GardenPeep@reddit

Because the plane might blow up?

[-]

DanThePilot_Mann@reddit

Evacuating with the reversers still deployed is interesting

[-]

oh-pointy-bird@reddit

I didn’t realize over wind exit doors were like gull wing doors. I swear I remember the instructions being like you open the door and push it through the opening.

[-]

TheEggyMule@reddit (OP)

Some are like plugs you have to throw out, others are those spring loaded hatches. It just depends on the model and manufacturer

[-]

powpowkitty11@reddit

It's important to actually read the safety card on each flight to know how the doors operate.

[-]

oh-pointy-bird@reddit

Thanks for clarifying!

[-]

jetsetter023@reddit

Depends on the plane. This is a 737. It has them rotate up. Some other types have you toss them out.

[-]

41PaulaStreet@reddit

I wonder if the toss in vs. out changes by airplane model too. I always thought the drawing showed the hatch laid inside on the seats.

[-]

jetsetter023@reddit

It does. Flew one that was a toss out. Riden on another that was toss in.

Guess they really want you to read the safety instructions when you sit there or something. Could be anything!

[-]

cdnav8r@reddit

I think the classics you tossed them out. Starting with the NGs they were like this.

[-]

c3sultan@reddit

Correct

[-]

NotARapture@reddit

It could be airline specific but probably not bc of the FAA. Exitwing windows are placed on the row of the seats by the window. A FA would get hurt throwing it out the window, they are fucking heavy, they could also damage the wing causing more problems. Folks evacuate by siding off the back of the plane. FA commands literally include “slide off the back of the wing. Get away from the plane.” (varies some based on airline).

Some 737s have gull windows and some don’t. That’s why the safety demo begins with “even if you’re a frequent flyer… each aircraft type is different.”

[-]

Which_Material_3100@reddit

The newer 737s are gull wing over wing exits. Much better design! Wish we had slides too though since the whole extending flaps thing can create issues if passengers initiate the evac

[-]

kwazi07@reddit

At UA, all the 737s and A321neo are gull wing, then the A319/20, 757, and 767 overwings are plug style

[-]

SubstantialAbility17@reddit

Newer planes. The regionals I am on still have the lift and toss. To be fair, I encountered a lot of adults that struggle with anything more than 30 pounds, so also a safety improvement.

[-]

NoSwimmers45@reddit

There’s a handful of different styles depending on aircraft age.

[-]

UnderwayWestward@reddit

what does the pilot announce to the passengers in this scenario?

[-]

starsthatlisten11@reddit

I was on the flight. They declared an emergency landing, no indication of the cause but said to find the emergency exit closest and to brace brace brace.

[-]

CowboyLaw@reddit

Why would you need to brace? It’s a normal landing.

[-]

yetiflask@reddit

Probably wanted to throw people off and make it look like an emergency.

[-]

starsthatlisten11@reddit

They didn’t act like it was a normal landing. we all thought it was a mechanical issue until later when a news article reported bomb threat.

[-]

FluidMention6574@reddit

How many people grabbed their stuff even though I’m sure the FA’s told them not to?

[-]

starsthatlisten11@reddit

Maybe 10-15? They were yelling at people who got stuff even while we evacuating.

[-]

-Wandering-@reddit

Glad your off, safe and okay, take your time to process this. Luckily seems like a false alarm. When and if you are comfortable I’m sure I as well as many others in the aviation subs would be curious for any more information about what this process was like for you, but prioritize yourself and your mental well being!

[-]

starsthatlisten11@reddit

Ask away!

[-]

Punkrawk78@reddit

Attention ladies and gentlemen, please. Would everybody move to the lounge who is not carrying a bomb.

[-]

daygloviking@reddit

“Ladies and gentlemen, due to a technical issue we have to make a precautionary landing…”

[-]

SummerInPhilly@reddit

I’m assuming UA rebooks them all to their destination, or brings in another plane to fly them. What happens to this one? Does it get ferried somewhere to get new slides?

[-]

TheEggyMule@reddit (OP)

I dont think they can ferry without at least a few slides, since they are emergency equipment, but i dont know for sure. Probably a maintenance roadtrip or call an on call aog service.

[-]

NoSwimmers45@reddit

Pilots reported an item near one of the doors beeping.

[-]

Checkeide-failure@reddit

Lol, bombs don't beep in real life. Only in movies.

[-]

Lloyd--Christmas@reddit

That thought process almost got people killed by the Nashville bomber. It was freezing out and because it had a countdown people were reluctant to stand outside because they thought it was a hoax.

[-]

bigcitydreaming@reddit

Was that the RV that had a computer vocie over speaker telling everyone to evacuate because it had a bomb inside, then also started playing music after the countdown timer finished? Honestly, that was a mess and I don't blame people for thinking it was a hoax nor do I think it was solely the countdown that made people think that

[-]

Lloyd--Christmas@reddit

Yeah, the guy didn’t think that part out. When the timer hits zero it needs to go boom.

[-]

aqaba_is_over_there@reddit

Airport Security Officer: Actually throwers don't worry about ticking 'cause modern bombs don't tick.

Narrator: Sorry, throwers?

Airport Security Officer: Baggage handlers. But, when a suitcase vibrates, then the throwers gotta call the police.

Narrator: My suitcase was vibrating?

Airport Security Officer: Nine times out of ten it's an electric razor, but every once in a while...

[whispering]

it's a dildo.

Of course it's company policy never to, imply ownership in the event of a dildo... always use the indefinite article a dildo, never your dildo.

Narrator: I don't own...

[-]

lovestobitch-@reddit

My electric tooth brush turned on midway to my walking to the car in the parking garage after returning from a flight. Lol I left my suitcase and ran a few feet away from the bag before I realized what it was. It was one of the few times I had checked my bag.

[-]

bitchysquid@reddit

I am actually on a plane right now and have an electric toothbrush in my checked bag. Thanks for potentially saving me a scary moment!

[-]

NoSwimmers45@reddit

If it has a lithium ion rechargeable battery it shouldn’t be in your checked bag.

[-]

bitchysquid@reddit

No worries, I confirmed with the airline employees that it was acceptable. I would not rule out having received incorrect guidance, but I did my due diligence.

[-]

U2ElectricBoogaloo@reddit

Honestly? It’s not mine! That kind of thing ain’t my bag, baby!

[-]

evthrowawayverysad@reddit

na, double bluff, everyone knows that so now terrorists know to make them beep. They also stick oversized 8 segment displays on them with a nice, long countdown.

[-]

missaxagal@reddit

If they need 8 segment displays then it can’t be too long of a countdown.

[-]

Chairboy@reddit

Sure, if we’re talking about a one hertz countdown. The interval is arbitrary, it could be any value.

[-]

NoSwimmers45@reddit

How many real life bombs have you dealt with?

[-]

Checkeide-failure@reddit

Wait, you really think they beep in real life like they do in the movies?

[-]

NoSwimmers45@reddit

Wait, you really think that for it to be real it can’t?

[-]

Checkeide-failure@reddit

Now ask yourself why the person would want to broadcast the bombs location with a loud noise? The primary objective is stealth.

Why would they add an audio circuit, another point of failure, with literally no benfiet?

Movies add this to create tension. It helps the actor find the bomb. It increases the character's panic.

Tell me when was the last bomb that was located that had a loud ticking noise.

Sorry to break it to you, Santa and the tooth fairy isn't real either.

[-]

Inevitable-Rush-2752@reddit

Too bad you weren’t the pilot! Soldier on, amirite?

[-]

RadosAvocados@reddit

Probably, but most timed bombs use the alarm function on digital watches (specifically the G-Shock) and those do beep, so it's not crazy that a malfunctioning explosive would beep.

[-]

reddituserperson1122@reddit

Exactly. Everyone knows in real life they tick.

[-]

StephLynn3724@reddit

But what was it?

[-]

TheEggyMule@reddit (OP)

Someone called in a bomb threat, don’t know much more than that

[-]

what_ganymede_299@reddit

I got the 7700 notification from flightradar24. So thats what it was for I guess

[-]

SeniorFlyingMango@reddit

What was the beeping?

[-]

ouiserboudreauxxx@reddit

That’s what I want to know!

[-]

Checkeide-failure@reddit

99.9% it's a nothingburger

[-]

yourdonefor_wt@reddit

It's pretty much at 100% Because its 2026, its physically impossible to get anything explosive past TSA unless you had someone you know sign up for TSA AND know which line they were on and brought your bags through there. But there its still like impossible because someone would likely notice it on x-ray.

[-]

SeniorFlyingMango@reddit

Except for shoes since you don’t need to remove them anymore

[-]

K2step70@reddit

What about a rogue employee? Either with the airline or somebody’s boss is on the plane and they wanted to inconvenience them.

[-]

frogdenjersey@reddit

It’s never a bomb until it is

[-]

Killentyme55@reddit

It's the 0.1% that gets you though.

[-]

Simon_Mendelssohn@reddit

And here I always thought it's the bitches that'll get yas

[-]

turpentinedreamer@reddit

Fate is the hunter and all that

[-]

slogive1@reddit

First slide deploy I've seen for a bomb threat.

[-]

Blue_foot@reddit

I was on a bomb threat flight over Finland.

They returned us all the way to Warsaw. Then taxied to the end of a runway.

Then we sat on the plane for 20 minutes while the stairs were brought over. We couldn’t believe their lack of urgency on the ground.

[-]

yeshmate@reddit

The odds it’s an actual bomb is so small and the odds of injuries resulting in a slide evacuation is pretty much guaranteed. It’s not normal or sane to evacuate for.

[-]