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Home » United Airlines » Police Storm my United Flight from Los Angeles to San Francisco
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Police Storm my United Flight from Los Angeles to San Francisco

Matthew January 2, 2012 3 Comments

Minutes prior to push-back this morning, three uniformed LAX Airport Police officers boarded my United flight to San Francisco. I was sitting in row two and heard their conversation with the purser.

Police: We need to speak to a couple passengers onboard, xxxx and xxxx. We suspect they are transporting drugs.

Purser: Sure (referring to the manifest), they are seated in row 18.

The police marched down the aisle and after speaking to the passengers for a couple minutes, escorted them off the aircraft. No cuffs, but the passengers  walked with their heads down, avoiding all eye contact with other passengers.

The men were questioned on the jetbridge for a few minutes and their bags were searched. Somehow, the police had received a tip that the two were transporting drugs and found what they were looking for in a black duffel bag. With the boys on their way to the slammer, we still managed an on-time departure and early arrival into SFO.

I am just a bit confused, though. If the police suspected something, why did they wait until the two men boarded the aircraft? Were the men stupid enough to speak loudly or bring out the drugs in plain sight, prompting other passengers in the gate area to turn them in? Did they reek of pot?

The purser and captain were equally confused–the police just showed up and gave no indication how they knew the two men were carrying drugs.

Not a huge story, but an interesting first flight on United in 2012. Now on to Seoul Incheon…

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About Author

Matthew

Matthew is an avid traveler who calls Los Angeles home. Each year he travels more than 200,000 miles by air and has visited more than 120 countries over the last decade. Working both in the aviation industry and as a travel consultant, Matthew has been featured in the New York Times, Chicago Tribune, Wall Street Journal, USA Today, BBC, Fox News, CNN, ABC, CBS, NBC, Al Jazeera, Toronto Star, and on NPR. Studying international relations, American government, and later obtaining a law degree, Matthew has a plethora of knowledge outside the travel industry that leads to a unique writing perspective. He has served in the United States Air Force, on Capitol Hill, and in the White House. His Live and Let's Fly blog shares the latest news in the airline industry, commentary on frequent flyer programs and promotions, and detailed reports of his worldwide travel. His writings on penandpassport.com offer more general musings on life from the eyes of a frequent traveler. He also founded awardexpert.com, a highly-personalized consulting service that aids clients in the effective use of their credit card points and frequent flyer miles. Clients range from retirees seeking to carefully use their nest egg of points to multinational corporations entrusting Matthew with the direction and coordination of company travel.

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3 Comments

  1. Rapid Travel Chai Reply
    January 2, 2012 at 9:00 pm

    Fun story, I love the last touch of an on-time departure.

  2. Kevincm Reply
    January 2, 2012 at 11:36 pm

    What a way to start a flight. Enjoy Seoul!

  3. MrLincoln Reply
    January 3, 2012 at 3:53 pm

    “C’mon, son.”

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