"We've got a medical"

[Doug Taylor]

You're number two for takeoff, say flying from the US to a foreign country.

The flight attendant calls to say that they have a passenger that wants to get off the airplane.

Just as you're coordinating the gate return, you hear another international flight returning to the gate because one of their passengers wants to get off as well.

Co-inky-dink? Extra precautions?

[OhioStatePilot]

That definitely sounds suspicious... any more to the story?

[FlyChicaga]

Coincidence. I mean, why coordinate gate returns? Wouldn't someone trying to do harm to an airplane want it airborne? It probably wouldn't register with me... I'd likely say, "Damn, we're not the only ones having a rough night."

This actually happened to me in EWR... 1 hour and 45 minute taxi, we are cleared into position and hold, then a customer decides they want off.

[Nick]

I also would consider it a coincidence.

I would be more suspicious if two airplanes had people doing crazy-people-things in the air requiring diversions, but on the ground at a large airport with people from all over the world and lots of people on big planes, I'd think nothing of it despite it being rare.

[CN94559]

It seems a little sketchy to me to be honest and even if it really was just a coincidence thats one crazy one

[jynxyjoe]

Man, what a load of crap.

[mavsfan31]

Coincidence. None the less, I would just be extra cautious as my suspicions would be raised.

[Firebird2XC]

Even my conspiracy-inclined mind has a bit of trouble reaching 'trouble' on this one.

An eyebrow raiser, perhaps, but asking what changed pax's minds might be worth a look.

On the other hand, consider the concept. You're getting ready to cross the ocean, to another continent. Not a path one takes lightly.

Why the sudden change of heart?

[Guy]

When the little voice in the back of your head speaks; listen to it. If nothing else, it could have been a probe to determine if which carriers would react, which ones would not, and how they would react (e.g. what would they do with that person's checked bags).

[Doug Taylor]

Here's another angle.

The flights delayed, they can't find the passengers bag, you radio over to the other flight and their 'medical's bag can't be located either.

[Firebird2XC]

Originally Posted by Doug Taylor

Here's another angle.

The flights delayed, they can't find the passengers bag, you radio over to the other flight and their 'medical's bag can't be located either.

When you say bag, you mean checked?

Personally, I'd say ANYONE asking to return to the gate warrants at least some minor inquisition as to why. Barring extended delays, etc, in a post 9/11 world, it's an eyebrow raiser.

[deadstick]

Originally Posted by Doug Taylor

Here's another angle.

The flights delayed, they can't find the passengers bag, you radio over to the other flight and their 'medical's bag can't be located either.

At first I'd wonder if they were texting while you were taxiing, and realized they were on the wrong flights

Your next point makes it very suspicious. They wanted the mission to get done, but not too eager to get the virgins and honey?

[Tangodelta29]

Originally Posted by FlyChicaga

Coincidence. I mean, why coordinate gate returns? Wouldn't someone trying to do harm to an airplane want it airborne? It probably wouldn't register with me... I'd likely say, "Damn, we're not the only ones having a rough night."

This actually happened to me in EWR... 1 hour and 45 minute taxi, we are cleared into position and hold, then a customer decides they want off.

That sucks so much, there should be an easy way to let them off, like out the door and into some tunnel under the runway back to the terminal. I mean that just sucks.

[skidz]

Is it possible that someone mistakenly slips into the wrong aircraft?

[WacoFan]

Originally Posted by Doug Taylor

Here's another angle.

The flights delayed, they can't find the passengers bag, you radio over to the other flight and their 'medical's bag can't be located either.

I would be off the airplane at that point. Until they find the bags from both airplanes I am not in, on or around the airplane. That would be suspicious.

[Realms09]

When a passenger is removed you can remove their checked baggage. How do you make sure their carry on luggage is removed? I doubt flight attendants possess the recall necessary to remember where every bag in the overhead bin came from.

[OhioStatePilot]

This is a valid point... security isn't infallible, but for it to have the best chance of success, everyone needs to keep it in mind. I'd agree that most likely it was nothing, but it is still the type of event that would raise my suspicions and leave me extra cautious.

[flywithUS]

Originally Posted by Realms09

When a passenger is removed you can remove their checked baggage. How do you make sure their carry on luggage is removed? I doubt flight attendants possess the recall necessary to remember where every bag in the overhead bin came from.

Security camera?

[falconvalley]

Don't know if it's just a coincidence, but I'm going back to the gate and the entire airplane is getting emptied. All checked and carry-on baggage will be rechecked or I'm not taking the flight back out. I would also suggest that the pax are interviewed to try to sort out what happened. Just precautionary moves even if, odds are they got on the wrong plane or were just afraid of breaking up over the ocean.

What DID happen?

[sorrygottarunway]

if a passenger *does* want off the plane, you're supposed to return to the gate for them?

[Chief Captain]

Originally Posted by Realms09

When a passenger is removed you can remove their checked baggage. How do you make sure their carry on luggage is removed? I doubt flight attendants possess the recall necessary to remember where every bag in the overhead bin came from.

That's why the check-in agent asks how many checked and carry-on pieces you have.

[Chief Captain]

I don't see what post-9/11 has to do with this. People have always been nervous flying. Maybe the pax changed his/her mind and wants to stay with the significant other (like in the movies).

Bottom line is, if you return to the gate, just take off all the bags and continue your trip. It's certainly fair to ask why the pax doesn't want to fly, but I should hope nobody here thinks the pax MUST answer.

[OldTownPilot]

Originally Posted by Chief Captain

That's why the check-in agent asks how many checked and carry-on pieces you have.

I have NEVER been asked how many carry-ons I have and in two years of checking people in I NEVER asked that question either.

The only way to assure that their carry-ons are taken off is for an astute passenger or FA to notice.

[ahmed]

I am confused.. What does Doug mean? Does he mean that someone wants to get off the plane and another person on a different plane wants to get off as well? What would that have to do with re-checking luggage? And how is that related to terrorism?

I am just confused I am not questioning Doug..

[OUemt]

Jokingly: "Yeah the terminal is right down alpha, turn left on bravo, and keep walking until you see the security guys, they'll help you the rest of the way..."

Seriously:
The best way I can think of to account for carry on luggage is to have each passenger account for their bags and any bag left over gets dropped. Obviously not a perfect method since there could be more than one malicious person aboard who might vouch for the "medical's" luggage, but better than hoping I guess... I'm in the camp with the folks that say all checked luggage better belong to people who are *on* the plane and that I wouldn't be anywhere near the plane until that was the case.

-Chip