A passenger plane is being escorted into Manchester Airport

A passenger plane is being escorted into Manchester Airport by an RAF fighter jet after the pilot reported concerns about a possible device.

Chief Superintendent John O'Hare of Greater Manchester Police, said: "An incoming plane has been escorted into the airport by the Royal Air Force as a result of information received by the pilot about a possible device on board.

"We don't know how genuine this threat is but it is absolutely vital we deal with the situation as a full emergency.

"As a result people will see the police and other agencies at the airport and on the airfield.

"At this time I would urge them not to be alarmed.

"Our response will be as comprehensive as it is proportionate with the safety of those on board and in and around the airport our paramount concern."

More follows...

http://news.sky.com/story/1313427/passenger-plane-escorted-to-manchester-airport

Dear God   
Those poor people on that plane, I wonder what they have been told?

Was just watching this.. How awful for them, you cant even imagine what would go through your mind can you.

I think the plane has landed now thank God, lets hope everyone gets off safely. They must think its a serious threat as they have suspended all flights.

Passengers seem to have been kept on board.
Just said one has been escorted from the plane by police

It appears to be a hoax.

harvesmom wrote:It appears to be a hoax.

Stupid stupid man
Can you believe he did that. Arse!

Nems wrote:

harvesmom wrote:It appears to be a hoax.

Stupid stupid man
Can you believe he did that. Arse!

Sadly I believe anything just lately, there are all sorts of nutters out there.

Its saying he passed a note to the crew or something, I suppose we will know more when the reporters get to the people who were on the plane.

harvesmom wrote:

Nems wrote:

Stupid stupid man
Can you believe he did that. Arse!

Sadly I believe anything just lately, there are all sorts of nutters out there.

Its saying he passed a note to the crew or something, I suppose we will know more when the reporters get to the people who were on the plane.

We shall have to wait and see

What was the "escorting" plane supposed to do? The pilots were told there may be a bomb on board,don't see how escort could help.

Watch from a distance.

Shoot it from the sky, probably. We don't like to think things like that would happen, but under the right circumstances I'm sure they would.

Ben_Reilly wrote:Shoot it from the sky, probably. We don't like to think things like that would happen, but under the right circumstances I'm sure they would.

I can't see what good the escorting plane could do if the Qatar pilot retained controlled of the plane and a terrorist exploded a bomb on-board; there may be no warning.

I would have thought the escort was trying to prevent another potential 9/11 type incident where the plane itself could have been used as a bomb.  As you say, it seems likely they would have shot the plane out of the sky.  It's not a nice thought but a realistic one  

I think that was Ben's point. Take a look at a film, Executive Decision, which played with the theme of shooting down a passenger liner before it could do greater damage.

I read also that they send the escort plane up to get a visual account of what is happening in the cockpit, to make sure the pilot still has full control and no gun to his head etc, which is why they have to fly so close.

Must have been terrifying for the passengers and crew.

harvesmom wrote:I read also that they send the escort plane up to get a visual account of what is happening in the cockpit, to make sure the pilot still has full control and no gun to his head etc, which is why they have to fly so close.

Must have been terrifying for the passengers and crew.

All these recent events involving planes are making me nervous Must have been terrifying as you say.

feelthelove wrote:

harvesmom wrote:I read also that they send the escort plane up to get a visual account of what is happening in the cockpit, to make sure the pilot still has full control and no gun to his head etc, which is why they have to fly so close.

Must have been terrifying for the passengers and crew.

All these recent events involving planes are making me nervous Must have been terrifying as you say.

I wouldn't fly for years after 9/11, it would take a hell of a lot to get me on a plane at the moment   

harvesmom wrote:

feelthelove wrote:

All these recent events involving planes are making me nervous Must have been terrifying as you say.

I wouldn't fly for years after 9/11, it would take a hell of a lot to get me on a plane at the moment   

Me too.

Thanks you two! I fly next month If it has to happen it sure as hell better be on the way back; I want to enjoy my holiday first  

feelthelove wrote:Thanks you two! I fly next month If it has to happen it sure as hell better be on the way back; I want to enjoy my holiday first  

  

Sorry!

feelthelove wrote:Thanks you two! I fly next month If it has to happen it sure as hell better be on the way back; I want to enjoy my holiday first  

Ooops sorry FTL, it will have calmed down by then and you wont give it a second thought  ::D:: 

 If it doesn't I will haunt you both x

harvesmom wrote:

feelthelove wrote:Thanks you two! I fly next month If it has to happen it sure as hell better be on the way back; I want to enjoy my holiday first  

Ooops sorry FTL, it will have calmed down by then and you wont give it a second thought  ::D:: 

She is only going as far as the Isle of Man you know   

Nems wrote:

harvesmom wrote:

Ooops sorry FTL, it will have calmed down by then and you wont give it a second thought  ::D:: 

She is only going as far as  the Isle of Man you know   

   She could borrow Edds' boat for that journey

harvesmom wrote:

Nems wrote:

She is only going as far as  the Isle of Man you know   

   She could borrow Edds' boat for that journey

Im sure Edds would give her a lift

I've heard about Eddie's boating skills, I think I'd rather fly  

EDIT : No offence intended Eddie x