"We've got a medical"

[derg]

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.
:chair:

 

[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).

 

[derg]

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]

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]

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]

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.
:chair:

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]

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.

 

[CFIscare]

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?