First-Class Alaska Airlines Passenger Fakes Bomb Threat, Claims Cartel Members Were Waiting For Him

On July 5th, Alaska Airlines 334 flying from Atlanta to Seattle was diverted to Spokane International Airport after a first-class passenger made a bomb threat. Brandon L. Scott, 38 years old, threatened to “kill everyone on board” as he slipped a note to a flight attendant. His demand is for the plane carrying 117 passengers to not land in Seattle.

In a note, Scott wrote, “There is a bomb on this plane.”

He also claimed that “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.”

The first-class passenger had two vodka shots during the flight. He also wrote that he has “nothing left to lose”, demanding the plane to reroute from its original destination.  As for the location, he wrote “Any other airport will do. If this plane lands in Seattle, I will kill everyone onboard.”

The note also said that the flight attendant should only tell the pilot and no one else. He added that “Once we have been rerouted I expect an announcement. That way I know my demands have been met. Pretend there is some sort of equipment problem or whatever you have to do. Just get this plane rerouted. Failure to comply will cost the lives of everyone on this plane.”

He assured on the note that he would surrender peacefully upon landing. Spokane International Airport is around a four-hour drive from Seattle.

Bomb Threat to Avoid the Cartel?

The airport’s bomb squad then searched for explosives on the plane but didn’t find any. In the affidavit, Scott told authorities that cartel members were waiting to torture and kill him in Seattle. According to him, the bomb threat was done to escape them.

Scott also thought of doing other strategies to get the flight diverted. This includes assaulting a flight attendant or opening the cabin door.

Upon landing, Scott was arrested and then booked into Spokane County Jail. He then made an initial appearance on Thursday in a federal court. Scott could be facing a maximum of five years in prison and a possible fine of $250,000. He has prior convictions for robbery and kidnapping.

This incident delayed other flights out of Spokane International Airport.