http://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/turkish-airlines-plane-diverted-to-canada-after-bomb-threat/ar-BBniV0M?li=BBnb7Kz. Once again a plane is diverted because of a bomb threat, and of course, no bomb is discovered. When I was a kid I remember being evacuated from school more than once due to a bomb threat telephoned in to the school, and of course, no bomb was ever found. I know that authorities feel obligated to treat every threat seriously, but seriously, has there ever been an actual bomb detonated after a threat was received? If you wanted to bomb a plane, a school, a business, etc., you would not give prior warning. Terrorists want to create terror and clearly blowing up something full of people creates more fear and terror than blowing up an evacuated plane or building. Is the automatic response to a called in bomb threat just a form of political correctness, where authorities are more terrified of being accused of failing to act than they are of inconveniencing everyone? I wonder if some school official, when getting that phone call saying "There is a bomb in the school ready to go off" ever just said "Sounds like bullsh-t to me" and hung up, ending what obviously was a prank.
Has there ever been a bomb found after a threat is received?
- Thread starter vito
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Daveboone
Single-Sixer
In high school (upstate suburban NY) a bomb was found in our high school when I was there (I forget the exact year, 1977-1979).
It was crude, but could potentially been devastating. A plastic container full of gas , with small perforations, was placed in a student locker, with a candle burning several lockers away. I remember the bomb squad statement to the press was that when the fumes got to the candle, it would have detonated with the force of (as I remember) a stick of dynamite minimally. I don't remember if they every accused anyone, but at the time I am sure there was no concern of political interests.
It was crude, but could potentially been devastating. A plastic container full of gas , with small perforations, was placed in a student locker, with a candle burning several lockers away. I remember the bomb squad statement to the press was that when the fumes got to the candle, it would have detonated with the force of (as I remember) a stick of dynamite minimally. I don't remember if they every accused anyone, but at the time I am sure there was no concern of political interests.
OP
I don't doubt that bombs are sometimes really hidden somewhere, only if it ever happens where there is also a specific warning threat. In the case of your school, was there a "bomb threat" or was the bomb search done for other reasons?
Daveboone
Single-Sixer
bomb threat called in, school emptied for the rest of the day. (bomb threats weren't unusual, probably like any high school, but usually you were out of the building a relatively short amount of time). 40 years ago and If I paid any more attention to it, I don't remember any other details. I remember I was dissecting a star fish when we had to leave, and I was eagerly helping the cute but squeamish blond next to me.
Heck, now that I think about it... I used to bring bombs with me when I was in high school... did leave them in my car.... different time and a long time ago also.
Simply a matter of the likelihood being essentially minimal, but the potential consequences making the response mandatory.
And the terrorists sit back and laugh. It costs them nothing, presents zero risk to them, and totally messes up out lives. Brilliant.
:evil: :evil: :evil: :evil: :evil:
And the terrorists sit back and laugh. It costs them nothing, presents zero risk to them, and totally messes up out lives. Brilliant.
:evil: :evil: :evil: :evil: :evil:
And it could become the "Boy who cried wolf" and people become used to the threat and pay no nevermind and then the bomb goes off. Officials are pretty much obliged to take any threat serious or else they could be the defendants in a lawsuit.
What a sad day it has become in the US that our elected officials can't see their nose in front of their faces about terrorism, especially when the top dog is obliviously leading us down a path of destruction and no one has the fortitude (read that as b@lls) to do anything about it.
I really wonder about politicos nowadays, I really think they are in it just for the ego and perceived power. The founding fathers weren't in it for their egos, they were concerned about the lack of freedoms and did something about it. Then they went home to their lives until something called them back to do what was needed. Do the job then go back home. What exactly does being the POTUS do for someone? Make them the BMOC? So what? I have more respect for the hard working men and women that make this country great that for any politician, even the ones I vote for.
Sorry for going off on a tangent
What a sad day it has become in the US that our elected officials can't see their nose in front of their faces about terrorism, especially when the top dog is obliviously leading us down a path of destruction and no one has the fortitude (read that as b@lls) to do anything about it.
I really wonder about politicos nowadays, I really think they are in it just for the ego and perceived power. The founding fathers weren't in it for their egos, they were concerned about the lack of freedoms and did something about it. Then they went home to their lives until something called them back to do what was needed. Do the job then go back home. What exactly does being the POTUS do for someone? Make them the BMOC? So what? I have more respect for the hard working men and women that make this country great that for any politician, even the ones I vote for.
Sorry for going off on a tangent
My wife and I were speaking about this over breakfast today. It is a damned if you do and damned if you don't situation. It has become that if someone wants to close a campus, sporting event, or anything else, all they need do is call in some bogus bomb threat and their desired consequences occur. They do not actually have to make a bomb or actually place one anywhere; just say that they have.
protoolman
Service-Sixer
Hey Blume, I think he said bomb, not Bong!
Colonialgirl
Hawkeye
protoolman said:
Cherry Bombs from the local fireworks supply house !!
WHEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE !!!
whichwatch
Blackhawk
- Joined
- Dec 18, 2012
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- 678
If you were in a building that had just received a bomb threat would you get out as fast as you could, or would you just figure it's a prank call and go on about your business. I know which option I would choose and political correctness has nothing to do with it.
nvbirdman
Blackhawk
August 1980, Harvey's Casino in Stateline Nevada.
It was an attempt to extort money from the casino.
It was an attempt to extort money from the casino.
Pal Val
Buckeye
When I was in the IRS, we received a bomb treat once. The building was evacuated, and the place checked over by the bomb squad. After the all clear was called, we all went back in the building. A few minutes later, a bomb went off in a car at the parking lot, where we had been standing. Luckily, we were all back in the building, and nobody got hurt.
Shortly after that, another bomb threat was called in. We all stayed in the building. Nothing happened. That night, the cleaning crew found the bomb. It had been placed in a bathroom, but the bomb-maker must have been an idiot, because it didn't work. The bomb had fingerprints all over it, and the maker was eventually caught. He was your garden-variety nut, not a real terrorist.
After that, we were instructed to deal with a bomb threat the same way we dealt with a fire alarm. Leave the building, and report to a specified rallying place outside. We had regular fire drills, so we were well practiced. Only thing, no more bomb threats after those two. The only time we evacuated for real, was for an earthquake. They sounded the alarm after the earthquake had passed!
Shortly after that, another bomb threat was called in. We all stayed in the building. Nothing happened. That night, the cleaning crew found the bomb. It had been placed in a bathroom, but the bomb-maker must have been an idiot, because it didn't work. The bomb had fingerprints all over it, and the maker was eventually caught. He was your garden-variety nut, not a real terrorist.
After that, we were instructed to deal with a bomb threat the same way we dealt with a fire alarm. Leave the building, and report to a specified rallying place outside. We had regular fire drills, so we were well practiced. Only thing, no more bomb threats after those two. The only time we evacuated for real, was for an earthquake. They sounded the alarm after the earthquake had passed!
bobski
Hunter
nyc navy recruiting office was bombed back in 1983. call came in to clear the bldg and as people were leaving, it went off in a stairway. no injuries.
As an airline employee, my reaction to a bomb threat may be a bit different then yours???? 40,000 ft. and a bomb don't go together. A bomb in a building is so much different. A small explosive device that can significantly penetrate the skin of an aircraft can have some very bad consequences. The skin is part of the structure.
I.E.: The Aloha airlines incident. The skin peeled away but the aircraft was fine, structurally. It is still the same, but if frames or stringers would have failed it would have been a totally different story. Even a small explosive would do that.
Believe it or not, that aircraft's skin failed as it was designed to do (sort of). It wasn't supposed to peel quite so far but there are some very good things learned from that failure. The skins, if they fail can only go 12 inches. Engineering is a good thing. I know, it would still freak you out but the 737 is a much better aircraft due to that failure.
Karl
I.E.: The Aloha airlines incident. The skin peeled away but the aircraft was fine, structurally. It is still the same, but if frames or stringers would have failed it would have been a totally different story. Even a small explosive would do that.
Believe it or not, that aircraft's skin failed as it was designed to do (sort of). It wasn't supposed to peel quite so far but there are some very good things learned from that failure. The skins, if they fail can only go 12 inches. Engineering is a good thing. I know, it would still freak you out but the 737 is a much better aircraft due to that failure.
Karl
Some of these 'nut jobs' would think nothing of calling an a bogus report just to see what happens. Imagine, as an example, somewhere like Daytona Speedway during the 500. After the race starts the police receive a call that there is a bomb 'somewhere' in the raceway seating area. Nothing ever has to actually go "BOOM!" to create total chaos.
exavid
Hunter
Seems like a plan to evacuate the building to a specified rally point would make it possible for a bomber to locate the bomb where ever that point was ahead of time as mentioned by Pal Val.
I read about the worst school killing in US history years ago. It was a bombing. Here's a link to it for anyone interested.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bath_School_disaster
I read about the worst school killing in US history years ago. It was a bombing. Here's a link to it for anyone interested.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bath_School_disaster
