Woman charged with making bomb threat delays Love Field flight for hours, according to affidavit.

A 67-year-old woman from Florida was arrested this week after making a bomb threat at Dallas Love Field Airport in an effort to retrieve her luggage from a Southwest Airlines flight she had been removed from due to being intoxicated. The incident, which occurred on Tuesday, prompted a rapid response from law enforcement and airport security, leading to significant disruptions at the airport.

According to a Dallas police arrest-warrant affidavit, law enforcement officials were alerted to the threat around 5:45 p.m. after the woman identified as Rebecca Jane Phillips allegedly stated that there was a bomb in her bag, requesting the retrieval of her luggage from a Southwest flight bound for Orlando. Reports indicate that Phillips had been escorted off the aircraft before it commenced taxiing due to her intoxicated condition.

Following her removal from the flight, Phillips expressed to Southwest employees her urgent need to reclaim her baggage. However, the airline staff informed her that she could only collect her belongings upon arriving at her destination in Orlando, to which Phillips reportedly reacted by declaring the situation was “illegal.”

In a further escalation of her demands, Phillips allegedly made a bomb threat, stating, “there’s a bomb in it how about that,” which resulted in immediate security measures being enacted. Consequently, Dallas police took swift action to deboard the passengers of the affected flight, evacuating not only the gate but also two nearby restaurants. Additionally, air traffic in the vicinity was diverted, and the explosive ordinance disposal unit was summoned to evaluate the situation and inspect the bag in question.

The disruption caused by this incident delayed the flight to Orlando by approximately two to three hours, impacting numerous travelers and operational flow at the airport.

As of Thursday, Phillips remained in custody at the Dallas County jail, facing charges for making a terrorist threat. Her bail has been set at ,500. The incident underscores ongoing concerns regarding security and passenger conduct in airports, particularly involving intoxicated travelers. The Dallas Love Field situation highlights the importance of robust security protocols and the need for timely responses in managing threats to public safety.

This arrest serves as a reminder of the potential consequences of making threats in public transportation environments, where safety and security are of paramount concern.