On July 5, 2023, Southwest flight 3316 en route from Las Vegas to Maui took an unexpected and nerve-wracking turn when a bomb threat was received by a flight attendant via Apple's AirDrop, leading to the flight's diversion to Oakland International Airport for further investigation, according to KRON4.
Upon landing in Oakland, airport authorities, including Oakland Airport Operations, Transportation Security Administration (TSA), and Airport Police Services, evacuated the plane and conducted a thorough search of passengers and their luggage. Fortunately, no explosive materials were discovered, and the flight continued onto its intended destination in Hawaii, as reported by the Alameda County Sheriff's Department in KTVU.
@miss.valerie808 Wtf??? Who would do something like this #flight3316 ♬ original sound - Bthechange
Initially, the plane's pilot informed passengers that the diversion was due to a mechanical issue, but it later became apparent that the situation was more serious when sheriffs arrived on board, as recounted by passenger Valerie Maluchnik in an interview with SFGATE. Maluchnik also mentioned hearing a flight attendant repeatedly saying, "Get me the f—k off this plane," which only added to the anxiety felt by passengers.
Once landed in Oakland, all passengers had to leave their luggage on the plane, with only a few exceptions such as emergency medications, cellphones, and identification. TSA then rescreened passengers, and dogs trained for explosive detection were brought in to examine the plane and its contents.
Maluchnik described the post-landing period as tense, with the plane parked behind a concrete barrier and law enforcement vehicles surrounding the area. Passengers were eventually escorted off the plane, placed onto buses, and directed through security once again. The entire ordeal resulted in a delay of nearly six hours before passengers could continue their journey to Hawaii.
Southwest Airlines has issued a statement emphasizing safety as their top priority, and thanking passengers for their patience and understanding during the taxing experience. The company has also deferred further questions to local authorities who met the aircraft in Oakland.
No arrests have been made in connection with the incident, but investigations by the FBI are ongoing, according to the Alameda County Sheriff's Department. Passengers, while relieved that the bomb threat was ultimately a false alarm, are surely left shaken by the experience as they finally reached their intended destination in Maui.
