An attempted cockpit breach on a United Airlines 737 flight to Los Angeles prompted an urgent warning to all pilots in the air at the time.
United Airlines Issues Urgent Level 4 Alert To Pilots After Attempted Cockpit Breach On 737 Bound For Los Angeles
UA1641 pulled out of the gate last night in Chicago O’Hare (ORD) and taxied to the runway. The Boeing 737-900 aircraft was heading to Los Angeles (LAX), where it was set to arrive just after 10:00 pm.
But before the flight could even take off, an alleged disruption onboard occurred, with a passenger attempting to breach the flight deck (cockpit) door. The aircraft returned to the gate where the problematic passenger was arrested. The flight was also canceled.
Per PYOK, the incident prompted a Level 4 threat to aircraft that were flying at the time, specifically warning pilots to be vigilant for potential cockpit intruders. Furthermore, the incident prompted “lockdown” efforts on a number of flights in the air.
Via the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), threat levels onboard are divided into four categories of escalating severity:
- Level 1 — Disruptive behavior (verbal): In response, the crew will address the passenger, warning them about the consequences of their actions and informing them that further disruptive behavior may result in refusal of service and reporting the incident to the authorities.
- Level 2 — Physically abusive behavior: The crew will issue a stronger warning to the passenger, emphasizing the severity of their actions and the potential legal consequences. They may also limit the passenger’s access to alcohol and consider restraining them if necessary, ensuring the safety of other passengers and crew.
- Level 3 — Life-threatening behavior (or display of a weapon): In response, the flight crew will prioritize the safety of the aircraft and its passengers and may seek assistance from law enforcement officials onboard, consider diverting the flight to the nearest airport, and apply physical restraints to ensure the unruly passenger cannot cause harm.
- Level 4 — Attempted or actual breach of the flight crew compartment: In such cases, the flight crew will take immediate and decisive action to protect the integrity of the flight. They will notify other crew members and seek assistance from law enforcement authorities. Flight diversion and involvement of security personnel are highly likely at this level.
No further details have emerged, though Fox News reports that the Federal Aviation Administration confirmed the incident.
CONCLUSION
A United Airlines 737-900 returned to the gate last night after an attempted breach of the cockpit and exit door. The incident allegedly prompted a systemwide alert to all pilots in the air as well as lockdowns on some flights. No video or images have emerged (yet) from UA1641.
This is a developing story.
Another MAGAtard still angry about the election?
No, but you’ll feel our wrath soon enough.
Another Nut Job off-topic comment, courtesy of AngryGuy Chad.
Hope this person is held to the charges. Kudos to the Crew for keeping everyone safe. Certainly good the flight was not airborn.
Yep , and another proof that Israeli airport security is necessary . I would very much like the same level everywhere .
Until it’s you with a latex glove inspecting your rear.
Yup,unless you are anyone besides a Jew or Mordechai Vanunu!
Hoping that this was *not* an actual attempt rather someone acting out as a result of various/many substances such that it’s an isolated incident.
That said, it’s getting very tiring to see the old “pain medication”, sometimes with alcohol as a chaser, trotted out as an excuse for this kind of behavior – and for less aggressive behavior like “ghosts on planes” and such – followed by some sort of TikTok apology garbage. That’s not an excuse for acting like a shitstain when on the ground, it should be even less tolerated in the air. Maybe I’m being harsh, but I’m all for a zero tolerance sort of rule for these incidents. If you can’t handle your pills (or drugs) and/or booze then you shouldn’t be flying. Full stop. Maybe there’s some documented course/treatment that can be taken that will get someone off a no-fly list, but otherwise, they can stay home.
Yep , you are exactly correct . Formerly , we did not see such behavior nor excuses . Now, we need better screening before boarding .
How do you suggest we screen crazy people? Should screening include a psychological assessment of each passenger via a 30 minute interview? A deep background check every time you clear security? Dude, please, stop embarrassing yourself.
Yes . Yes .
You need screening yourself. If you think any type of screening can prevent this, you need help. Not possible. and of course nobody would submit to it anyways and the airlines would all close up in one day.
Why not just dump the moron to the police and get back to the flight? Canceling it just caused disruption for hundreds of passengers.
In situations like this we cannot hesitate … canceling the flight is best for the safety of everyone .
Why?
FriendStuart … Why ? He attacked the exit door and the cockpit door , so those must be fully inspected ; he may have had carry-on and may have stashed something ; he may have had companions ; everything and everyone must be searched .
Snowflake!! There is a difference between a moron and a terrorist. This was clearly a moron. Take the plane back to the gate, kick him out and get the flight back. Same BS that I still cannot bring my water through security. Laziness!!
First, you know absolutely no facts. Second, those doors he/she can kick and throw whatever they want at them and they are never opening – and barely being damaged, if at all. Third, You can clearly match his luggage, remove it, and inspect the interior of the aircraft for any suspicious items in a matter of an hour. Should that even be a factor or concern.
For all we know it was just some drunk person again on meds going crazy.
I am 100% with El Al security . Every time they do their job , I congratulate them .
Firstly, we don’t know what happened, beyond Matthew and maybe FOX, I haven’t seen a single report about this incident, it could have been anything, but judging by the quietness, I am leaning towards crazy rather than terrorist.
If it was terrorism, I can promise you that we would be hearing a lot about it and we aren’t.
UA has always leaned a little heavy on the security side for my tastes, (I still remember the security gate that some PMUA 757s were equipped with)so cancelling the flight isn’t a surprise, but it is heavy handed, kick off the person, check the plane if necessary and get the other passengers to LAX.
Attacking the Flight Deck could be anything from banging on it, to using tools to rip it open, again as this story is not be being repeated over multiple outlets nor has the TSA increased its posture, I am leaning towards banging on the door, maybe violently, but not doing any real damage.
As always no news is good news and we aren’t hearing much about this incident, so it probably was a crazy and not some would be bad doer terrorist.
Crazies and unhinged are very seriously dangerous and are immediate threats , especially on an enclosed aircraft . Also intoxicated . Also hallucinating . Also criminals . None of them ought to be allowed on any flight .
Maybe his checked bag has explosives, maybe he teamed up with someone inside to sabotage the plane. Inspecting the plane is more important than arriving on time.
wtf was the flight cancelled? off load the idiot and get on with it.
38 yrs as crew & I totally get why they cancelled the flight. If I were on it, I would have welcomed the cancelation. Could this dumb ads be a diversion to something more sinister? We don’t know. And if we don’t know his intent, then canceling is fine with me. Don’t be so naïve to think everything is innocent. It may not be. But until you do know, canceling is fine with me.
Thank you for your common sense , and for your service as a FA .
We know, because any reason not to do your job is a win for y’all.
My goodness. Just some idiot got crazy and then flight cancelled, systemwide alerts, lockdowns on flights???
Leave it to Americans to escalate and exaggerate. Why on earth is all of that necessary? In any country the idiot would have been removed from the plane, or if inflight, just tied up, and the flight would have taken off after a 2 minute delay.
Must have sucked for the passengers. Imagine having the flight cancelled and ruining everyone’s plans because some ASS tried to get into the cockpit.
Those passengers that got affected by the delays caused by this incident should not blame United