Security Alert VS28

Wednesday 28th February - the day my estimation went even higher for Virgin.
Seated on the upper deck in 79C we pushed back on MCO-LGW VS28 15 minutes early, the engines started and we had a 7hr 20 minute flight to go, with a direct heading out of Orlando for Bermuda. Nice.

I looked for the in flight entertainment guide instead to find a mobile phone on a neck cord in the front seat pocket...um, significant? I did not think so but told the air hostess anyway. We sat their, engines running for 30 minutes with little explaination from the crew - the captain said it was a paper work issue. The flight service director told me it had set off a significant security alert as Virgin were now doubtful that the on ground security checks had been compelted correctly before the passengers boarded. Sure enough, back to the gate, off the aircraft and into a waiting lounge where the crew served juice or water whilst we waited the full search of the aircraft.

We took off 2 and bit hours late, landed into LGW at 9am. Thought tis time the crew and ground staff were very professional and appauded me for telling them about the phone. Other passengers could be heard (by me) saying something else about the delay !!!

I am impressed at rhe airlines procudures and just wounder ....what would have happened had I told the crew mid flight about the mobile phone?

[:(]

Yeh we do take safety and security very seriously at VS even with simple things like securing for take off we are far more stricvt than most other airlines...cant go into procedures but in the air would have sparked major threat assesments - divertion would not be out of the question. Some passengers always complain about delays but when its airline safety on the line the result of not being overly carefull dont really bear thinking about.

To be honest, I think that safety/security is far more important than a bit of a delay. Did the rest of the pax know the reason for the delay?

VS.

the captain told all the passengers the truth of what was going on - the only thing he omitted was my name!!

Originally posted by VS045
To be honest, I think that safety/security is far more important than a bit of a delay. Did the rest of the pax know the reason for the delay?

VS.

If the Captain decided to unload PAX before take off then I would assume if it was found after, the aircraft would have been diverted. Were you upgraded?

Originally posted by ukblue
the captain told all the passengers the truth of what was going on - the only thing he omitted was my name!!

And your seat number? [?]

Wow, thats the best way of scaring the life out of you!

Bet you are really glad you found it on terra firma and not at 38,000 feet? A diversion would probably have been an even longer delay?

Typical of some pax attitude, they would rather take off and gamble on whether the phone was a genuine "left behind" or god forbid a terrorist attack. Sometimes you just wish you could get up and give the pax a whack in the mouth (would make me feel better anyway!!) It would give them something else to moan about as well?

You should have got a pat on the back and an upgrade for your vigilance, so glad it turned out OK for everyone.

[^][^][^][^]

Originally posted by ukblue
Wednesday 28th February - the day my estimation went even higher for Virgin.
Seated on the upper deck in 79C we pushed back on MCO-LGW VS28 15 minutes early, the engines started and we had a 7hr 20 minute flight to go, with a direct heading out of Orlando for Bermuda. Nice.

I looked for the in flight entertainment guide instead to find a mobile phone on a neck cord in the front seat pocket...um, significant? I did not think so but told the air hostess anyway. We sat their, engines running for 30 minutes with little explaination from the crew - the captain said it was a paper work issue. The flight service director told me it had set off a significant security alert as Virgin were now doubtful that the on ground security checks had been compelted correctly before the passengers boarded. Sure enough, back to the gate, off the aircraft and into a waiting lounge where the crew served juice or water whilst we waited the full search of the aircraft.

We took off 2 and bit hours late, landed into LGW at 9am. Thought tis time the crew and ground staff were very professional and appauded me for telling them about the phone. Other passengers could be heard (by me) saying something else about the delay !!!

I am impressed at rhe airlines procudures and just wounder ....what would have happened had I told the crew mid flight about the mobile phone?

[:(]