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Man threatens to explode bomb at SFO, gets one-way ticket to jail
If you have a problem with your plane ticket, do not, I repeat, DO NOT do what Oregonian Mark Field did this past Tuesday at San Francisco International Airport: He threatened Philippine Airlines' staff by waving his cellphone and saying, "I'm going to press this and blow up the plane." Mention a bomb in an airport and you're in BIG trouble as Field quickly discovered. It doesn't matter how hopping-, spitting-, head-about-to-burst-mad you are. It also doesn't matter that you don't actually have a bomb.
Evidently, the problem started when Mr. Field tried to check in for an international flight and discovered he was being charged for a round-trip ticket even though he only wanted a one-way ticket. No matter how much he argued with staff, they weren't budging, and the situation heated up until ... Field finally snapped.
Once the word "bomb" spewed from his mouth, in rushed the bomb-sniffing dogs. After it was established that Field didn't have a bomb after all -- just a trigger mouth -- he was arrested for making a false bomb threat. Now, Field sits in jail with a hefty $50,000 bail and a one-way ticket to a court date on October 19.
If convicted, Field could remain in jail for up to one year.
As Sargent Sergeant Wesley Matsuura of the San Mateo County Sheriff's Office explained, one-way tickets aren't normally sold for international flights due to security issues. That's why the airline staff wasn't giving in to Mr. Field's complaints. Too bad for him he didn't understand this.
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Filed under: Stories, United States, Airlines, Airports, News
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Ben Oct 2nd 2009 5:14AM
'one-way tickets aren't normally sold for international flights due to security issues'
How funny - the idea that someone thought the way to thwart international terrorism was by making it slightly harder to buy one way tickets. Stroke of genius....
anna Oct 2nd 2009 10:11AM
The round-trip ticket policy is there because very often people would go vacationing overseas, spend all their money (or get it stolen), and end up unable to buy a ticket to fly back. So the American embassy in some other country has to sponsor half of their trip. It's a government policy, not the airlines'. It's not difficult to return another half of the trip if you don't need it, or to change dates - the airlines are pretty flexible about that knowing what's going on.
Inkling Oct 2nd 2009 11:22AM
Really, why would a terrorist need a round trip ticket? That makes sense. If, in fact, it is because American tourists may go to another country and not have a way back home...I'd be more inclined to believe it is because foreign tourists come to America and can't find their way home. My solution to THAT dilemma is to put an implant in foreign visitors that has a timer on it. If they disappear when it is time to leave the country their heads should explode. To avoid making the US pay for their funeral they should have to put up a $1000.00 funeral fee before they are allowed to come here.
Brax1966 Oct 2nd 2009 6:35AM
what a crock of BS! they lied to this man plain and simple ...and you wonder why someone would want to attack USA?
Inkling Oct 2nd 2009 11:21AM
What does the moronic actions of a guy wanting to fly one way have to do with America? I, for one, have never heard of Phillippe Airlines. I doubt that it is an American company. The screwball who threatened to blow up a bomb with his cell phone has been watching too many movies. I'm sure they'll cure him of that problem while he cools his heels in prison. I doubt they are allowed to watch violent, bombs exploding, terrorist plotting, action packed movies there.
Dex Oct 2nd 2009 12:52PM
Are you kidding? I wish some people would learn to read before responding or at least stop speed reading. The reason why you have never heard of Phillippe Airlines is because it does not exist. The author mentions the Philippine Airline and if you had click on the provided link, then it would direct you to a "real" airline.
steve326m Oct 4th 2009 2:19AM
Just so you know, Philippine Airlines is definitely real and based out of Manila, PH. I know because I live in The Philippines. Go to www.philippineairlines.com and you will find it. They own Air Philippines as well.
God Bless,
Steve & Myrlita
Bacolod City, PH
maglaw Oct 2nd 2009 7:06AM
How stupid do you have to be to know that you NEVER say "bomb" or make even the vaguest threats about "blowing things up" in an airport? This idiot deserves what happened. I wouldn't want to be riding on a plane with a guy who "snaps" because he can't get his way.
John Hunt Oct 2nd 2009 7:23AM
man what is wrong with these people ( meaning the airline staff) there looking for a way to make more money shame on them they should be taxed for doin that to the consumer let say makem pay 50% for each ticket they upped that way if they want to keep there job.
Vickie Oct 2nd 2009 5:02PM
Please be aware that most roundtrip tickets cost less than a one-way. The airline fare structure is not as simple as you would think.
dennis Oct 2nd 2009 11:01AM
John Hunt,
What Company go you work for? Greyhound or Trailways?
and does you house have `wheels` single or double wide?
db airline employee 37 years.
619 Oct 2nd 2009 8:12AM
It's quite obvious that there was no intent to blow up a plane and that this person was venting his anger. The TSA is also on many occasions guilty of overreacting during their security checks. The purpose of air plane security is to prevent hijackings, not to supress dissent, and many times the air lines and TSA uses this to control people and not for the intended purposes of avoiding hijackings. This abuse of authority should not be allowed and should be changed. Our RIGHTS are being violated on a daily basis at the airport.
Aboona Joe Oct 2nd 2009 8:57PM
Remember the hillarious airport scene towards the end of "Meet the Parents" when Ben Stiller -- frustrated beyond belief by an airport staff that is made to look like they are enjoying driving him nuts -- shouts, "BombBombBombBombBombBomb BombBombBomb!"? Maybe that's where he got the idea. Poor guy.
lhgraphics Oct 2nd 2009 8:26AM
what a dumb policy. If you wanted to blow up a plane do you think having to buy a round trip ticket would stop you? I think if they want to put a stupid rule like this in place then when the passenger disembarks safe and sound at his destination then the airline should refund half his round trip ticket fare. However it was stupid of the man to make a scene. He could have sued the airline for false advertising.
Dee Oct 2nd 2009 8:34AM
Many years ago, having worked for an airline in Intl Sales, I seem to remember that it is the Govts. who designate whether a one-way or round-trip ticket needs to be sold. It was not the airlines that determined the rules.
steve326m Oct 4th 2009 2:47AM
I think I can help with that. The Philippine govt Dept of Foreign Affairs requires all visitors of The Republic Of The Philippines to obtain ongoing transportation either by round trip or a separate ongoing passage out of the country dated before the initial 21 day free visit time or 59 days if you hold a valid 9a tourist visa issued by The Philippine Embassy serving your area. This is to cover the butts of the airline for if the person is denied entry at the port of entry which can be either NAIA Airport in Manila or Mactan Airport in Cebu, the airline would then be required to transport that person back to their original location on the airlines dime. The only exception to this rule is if the person is a permanent resident with an immigrant visa and has a valid alien registration card called the ACR-I card. Hope this helps clarify the reason.
God Bless,
Steve & Myrlita
Bacolod City, PH
Hoxsie Oct 2nd 2009 8:44AM
Someone on staff was able to sell Mr. Field a one-way ticket. This sounds like bait and switch! I have bought one-way tickets to Canada, Mexico and England and had no problems. We often do not know when business will allow us to return. Also, a terrorist would not mind buying a round trip and only using it part way. What a laugh! but not for poor Mr. Field. GOOD that he incovenienced the airline a little bit. They need to train their ticket writers. I hope he tries to sue them for fifty million dollars. At least he pointed out another stupid charade.
joe blow Oct 2nd 2009 8:55AM
why cant you say bomb on a plane? what if i was in world war II and i was talking about how I was a bombadear??? BOMB BOMB BOMB...BOMB lol. remember the movie "MEET THE PARENTS" lol
steve balogh Oct 2nd 2009 9:13AM
Sargent, seargent, sergeant...that pesky spelling thing! My suggestion is to spend more time with "you're knose in a dictionery" (sic), and less time dreaming about traveling.
Jamie Rhein Oct 2nd 2009 9:35AM
Steve, thanks for the correction. You're better than a spell checker. Seriously, I used a spell check function. My original spelling came up first with variations of other words--including the correct spelling which certainly didn't look correct to me. No wonder people usually use "Sgt."