A cowboy may have thought he was being funny, but he certainly was not laughing as he was pulled off an Alaska Airlines flight after joking about a bomb under his 10-gallon hat.
Cowboy Pulled Off Alaska Airlines Flight After Bomb Joke At SEA
A passenger on Alaska Airlines Flight 2123 from Seattle (SEA) to Walla Walla (ALW) allegedly made a bomb threat while the plane was taxiing at Sea-Tac Airport on Saturday, June 14, 2025. Two runways were briefly shut down as a major security response unfolded. One person is now in custody…no explosives were found.
One passenger explained, “I was on the flight. He said I have a bomb under my hat to the flight attendant. Multiple people around him heard it. I think he was probably thinking he was funny, but unfortunately, those are words you don’t say in an airport or on plane.”
No kidding…
Another account said he whispered this to the flight attendant.
Here’s a video of him being pulled off the plane that I was not able to embed (with credit to photogsteve81/Instagram):
I don’t know what would possess anyone to joke about something like this. I mean, I got thrown off a flight for saying, “I hope you didn’t think I was a terrorist,” and there are indeed 7 words you can never say on a plane…bomb is one of them.
> Read More: Thrown Off a United Airlines Flight for Taking Pictures!
> Read More: Seven Words You Can Never Say on an Airplane?
This man will likely not face federal charges because the incident happened on the ground and there was no diversion necessary, but it’s not inconceivable that he could be charged. In 2023, a man was charged for handing the flight attendant a note on an Alaska Airlines flight from Atlanta (ATL) to Seattle that said:
“There is a bomb on the plane. This is not a joke. Several pounds of homemade explosives are in my carry-on bag. I have a detonator with me. Handle this matter carefully and exactly how I say, otherwise I will detonate the explosives and kill everyone on board. You are to alert the pilot to this note and keep the issue to yourself. Many innocent lives are in your hands, do as I demand and everyone will live. Deviate and the consequences will be deadly for all of us. I have nothing left to lose.”
He was arrested and although no bomb was found, he was recently sentenced to 22 months in prison.
CONLUSION
The bottom line is very clear: you don’t joke about bombs on commercial airplanes…or frankly anywhere at all. It’s not funny and will cost you dearly. Just ask the cowboy…
I could have determined he was just being a jerk in 12 seconds by asking him to remove his hat. Massive overreaction.
The FAA or local authorities should publicize what happens to idiots like “cowboy”. Maybe having people be made aware of what “trying to be funny” can cost you would help.
Great idea.
I still can’t believe you maintained your loyalty to United after your incident.
Whelp, bad hatter joke from our Cowboy. Wait until he finds out he still will have to remove the boots!
You gotta love redneck humor.
I remember watching a TV show on the IFE and kept wondering what they were bleeping on the soundtrack. It was the word bomb.
Some idiot did it on an Allegiant flight yesterday from PIE yesterday too.
So was he trying to exercise his first amendment right, of his right to freedom of speech? Sorry America has changed.
LOL… and try yelling “fire” in a movie theater and see where that gets you.
So cute, I think that would be funny to my 7 year old daughter
You are a moron – if there had of been a bomb and it exploded, you would be the FIRST to complain that the airline was at fault for not removing this idiot.
Umm, NO, Tony N. That’s not how it works–or ever did.
I’m sure someone tried to teach you that ‘with freedom comes responsibility’.
Think on it, dude–you’ll get it…eventually.
Sometimes one’s first amendment “right” can get them in a lot of trouble silly! Don’t be stupid!
He can definitely be charged. RCW 9.61.160 makes bomb threats a felony in Washington State.
As a result of the delay (especially if a connecting flight was missed), they should allow for free punches / whippings as he walks off the plane.
Horizon (not Alaska) if it was going to Walla Walla.
What a stupid silly thing to say. But, I give him points. He wasn’t the stupid Garfield-shirt guy who got dragged off. And, he’s clearly was a lot smarter than Dao. He screwed up, but didn’t make it worse for the pax, LEOs, or himself by resisting. If I’m his judge, that works in his favor.