NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) – Passengers who were aboard a Southwest Airlines flight diverted over a “possible security matter” have recounted the confusing moments that led up to their flight being surrounded by law enforcement.
Southwest Airlines Flight 2094 departed Nashville International Airport, bound for Fort Lauderdale, Florida, shortly after 7 p.m. on Friday. Soon after, the flight was diverted to Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport due to a possible security concern.
Sarah Porter and her family were aboard that flight, en route to their spring break. They told Nexstar’s WKRN that, about 30 minutes after takeoff, the flight attendants appeared to have grown agitated and started running up and down the aisle. Moments later, they reportedly came over the loudspeaker, instructing passengers to put their heads down and hands up.
“We didn’t know if it was something mechanical, something medical,” Sarah’s mom, Julie Porter, said.
Sarah said they sat on the tarmac at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport for an hour before they saw law enforcement surround the plane.
“The first time I at least knew that there was someone dangerous on the plane was when the SWAT team came on and started yelling at us, and it was a little annoying not knowing what was happening until we were getting kind of held at gunpoint,” Sarah explained.
Once they deplaned, the Porters said K9s were inspecting each bag. Following that, passengers reportedly had to wait several hours before boarding another plane to Fort Lauderdale, arriving there just before 3:30 a.m. on Saturday.
A passenger was removed from the flight, officials confirmed. Officials told WKRN that the FBI and the Atlanta Police Department investigated and interviewed the person involved in the incident, but there was “no credible threat,” and no charges will be filed.
Sarah said her family did not see or hear the reason for the diversion until they were off the plane in Atlanta.
“We didn’t see anything, personally,” Sarah explained. “We heard some things other people said, like, about his bag. He was, like, weird about not wanting his bag overhead. He wanted it at his feet, but it was too big, and we heard he was, like, getting agitated, but he started texting people, and that’s what started this whole thing.”
“I feel like it was a little maybe dangerous having us sit with that guy for an hour-and-a-half before they detained him,” she added.
In a statement sent to WKRN, a spokesperson for Southwest Airlines said, “We appreciate the professionalism of our Flight Crew and sincerely apologize to our Customers for the significant delay. Nothing is more important to Southwest than the Safety of its Customers and Employees.”
“I have mixed feelings because there’s a lot going on in the world right now, so I think they are going to take threats seriously, but… I guess I’m very curious to know what was on the texts that they screenshotted… Obviously, something prompted it to be enough to go through all this,” Julie explained.
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