Two F-15s scrambled from Portland after hijacking scare
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PORTLAND, Ore. – Two F-15s were scrambled from Portland to escort Alaska Airlines Flight 819 into Seattle from Kona in Hawaii on Thursday night, according to the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD).
One person was taken into custody when the plane landed in Seattle and was questioned by the FBI, an FBI spokesperson said. The passenger cooperated with authorities and was later released.
According to the FBI, its field office in Hawaii received a tip that named a man on the flight and said the man was a hijacker. The FBI, however, is considering the possibility the "tip" is a hoax, and according to several law enforcement sources, the FBI believes it will likely turn out to be a hoax.
An airline spokesperson said the airline was notified that law enforcement was interested in the passenger.
The passenger exhibited no unusual behavior during the flight and was asleep for much of it, the airline spokesperson said.
According to the FBI, there was no indication there was a credible threat, and if it turns out it was a hoax, it will be thoroughly investigated.
Perry Cooper with Sea-Tac Airport said once the plane was on the ground, it was boarded from the rear by Port police who detained the passenger. All the other passengers deplaned without incident.
A police dog was used to search the airplane and found nothing.
The F-15s were scrambled at about 6:15 p.m. "out of an abundance of caution," according to NORAD.
The United States federal Government are not only torturers but they are about as bright as a 20 watt bulb!
What were the F-15s going to do, shoot down the plane if the hijacker(s) did not acquiesce to their demands? A show of force is not always the best solution to a crisis. Some hijackers simply won't be intimidated--they kill hostages instead.
 @mackenzie0158  That is exactly what they would do! And they wouldn't have to explain anything to anyone... Have you ever heard of the Patriot Act?
@Postone: Unfortunately, yes I am all too familiar with the Patriot Act. And yes, those responsible for such an act would have to explain themselves very quickly, and somebody (and probably some political party) would eventually pay dearly for such a stupid decision. Nobody kills a couple of hundred innocent Americans citizens and gets away with it. Just ask Osama bin Laden.