While I was in the Philippines, a bomb planted on his plane murdered the president of Pakistan. Returning to the UK on Pakistan International Airways via Karachi shortly afterwards didn't carry any concerns, even had time between flights to nip into the city and buy a pair of “Sinbad†curly toed wedding shoes as a souvenir.
Security was normal for passengers after such a significant event. The plane took off and went into cruise. Was I the only one to notice the distinct g force as the engine thrust was reduced ? I looked out of the window and noticed fuel being jettisoned from the wingtips. The horizon altered it's position in the window as we circled over the sea. After some time the captain advised the passengers that due to a technical fault we were going to make an unscheduled landing. We were somewhere over the Arabian peninsular, it was desert and gas burn offs from oil wells. We appeared to land in a military airstrip, lines of armoured vehicles, tanks and fire engines lining the runway greeted us. We taxied off the main runway and stopped far away from the buildings surrounded by an armed escort. Methinks must be a bomb scare. The passengers were escorted to the main buildings and we waited for several hours – the military hospitality was excellent. As we were herded back to the plane I could see the contents of the plane scattered all over the runway. All the luggage, containers, catering trolleys, set cushions…...piles of everything. Each passenger had to retrieve their luggage, present their passport, ticket and luggage tag at a table surrounded by armed military personnel. The photo ID was checked against you, your ticket and your bags. A body search followed. If all was well you could climb the steps to the aircraft where two blokes with submachine guns and tea towels on their heads confiscated your ticket and passport.I was first on as I was only carrying a light flight bag. The process continued until all 300ish passengers were on board and sat down…..mmmmmmmm strange there is a bloke already sat there before me ? Now the process of calling your name to collect your ticket and passport began. If it all matched up you could return to your seat. He was still there. A further announcement was made that if anyone had not collected their documents to go to the front of the plane. He hadn't, as far as I could see, been anywhere and seemed very agitated. A further announcement disclosed that it was a “proper†coded bomb threat taken seriously, leaving all containers, trolleys and unclaimed baggage behind as a precaution. We are about to refuel and continue our flight. Matee next door to me gets out his cigs and goes to light one, I jump at him – this is a no smoking zone and he didn't want to be doing that while we are refuelling. Now he's getting really jumpy and tries again….I really go for his throat. He ups and away and gets in between the galley curtains. A further announcement invites all passengers to notify the flight attendants or tea towel heads if they have not seen anyone go through the rigorous boarding procedure. Him next to me I think. Shall I be a snitch or shall I regret it if at 30000 feet he pulls the pin on his body bomb. No. I must tell someone. Everyone else appears oblivious to what's going on around them. The steward thanks me for the information regarding my fellow passenger, that he was also trying to light a smoke (and the plane) and is hiding in the rear galley. He summons' the tea towels. From either side of the galley they pull back the curtains and stick their guns in his face. He shrieks. Eventually the steward returns chuckling furiously. I had done the right thing by notifying them but it turns out since the bombing of the president's plane each section of the aircraft had an armed in flight guard. It was his first day on duty, he was sat next to me and was terrified. We shook hands and made our peace but I was quite pleased to get off that plane when it landed in the UK.
Security was normal for passengers after such a significant event. The plane took off and went into cruise. Was I the only one to notice the distinct g force as the engine thrust was reduced ? I looked out of the window and noticed fuel being jettisoned from the wingtips. The horizon altered it's position in the window as we circled over the sea. After some time the captain advised the passengers that due to a technical fault we were going to make an unscheduled landing. We were somewhere over the Arabian peninsular, it was desert and gas burn offs from oil wells. We appeared to land in a military airstrip, lines of armoured vehicles, tanks and fire engines lining the runway greeted us. We taxied off the main runway and stopped far away from the buildings surrounded by an armed escort. Methinks must be a bomb scare. The passengers were escorted to the main buildings and we waited for several hours – the military hospitality was excellent. As we were herded back to the plane I could see the contents of the plane scattered all over the runway. All the luggage, containers, catering trolleys, set cushions…...piles of everything. Each passenger had to retrieve their luggage, present their passport, ticket and luggage tag at a table surrounded by armed military personnel. The photo ID was checked against you, your ticket and your bags. A body search followed. If all was well you could climb the steps to the aircraft where two blokes with submachine guns and tea towels on their heads confiscated your ticket and passport.I was first on as I was only carrying a light flight bag. The process continued until all 300ish passengers were on board and sat down…..mmmmmmmm strange there is a bloke already sat there before me ? Now the process of calling your name to collect your ticket and passport began. If it all matched up you could return to your seat. He was still there. A further announcement was made that if anyone had not collected their documents to go to the front of the plane. He hadn't, as far as I could see, been anywhere and seemed very agitated. A further announcement disclosed that it was a “proper†coded bomb threat taken seriously, leaving all containers, trolleys and unclaimed baggage behind as a precaution. We are about to refuel and continue our flight. Matee next door to me gets out his cigs and goes to light one, I jump at him – this is a no smoking zone and he didn't want to be doing that while we are refuelling. Now he's getting really jumpy and tries again….I really go for his throat. He ups and away and gets in between the galley curtains. A further announcement invites all passengers to notify the flight attendants or tea towel heads if they have not seen anyone go through the rigorous boarding procedure. Him next to me I think. Shall I be a snitch or shall I regret it if at 30000 feet he pulls the pin on his body bomb. No. I must tell someone. Everyone else appears oblivious to what's going on around them. The steward thanks me for the information regarding my fellow passenger, that he was also trying to light a smoke (and the plane) and is hiding in the rear galley. He summons' the tea towels. From either side of the galley they pull back the curtains and stick their guns in his face. He shrieks. Eventually the steward returns chuckling furiously. I had done the right thing by notifying them but it turns out since the bombing of the president's plane each section of the aircraft had an armed in flight guard. It was his first day on duty, he was sat next to me and was terrified. We shook hands and made our peace but I was quite pleased to get off that plane when it landed in the UK.