Woman Mouths Off To Screener, Luggage Blown Up

You see the signs every time you pass through the airport security checkpoint: Don't even joke about bombs or guns or knives. Don't even think of protesting the foolishness of it all... as the TSA has a weird way of getting even.

The problem was, 46-year old psychiatrist Esha Khoshnu wasn't joking. Not in the least. Apparently more-than-miffed at the long line ahead of her as she made her way through security at Sky Harbor Airport in Phoenix, AZ, Dr. Khoshnu snapped. Police say she told the screener, "if there was an item in my baggage, the security screeners probably couldn't find it."

Oops. On further contemplation, that may not have been the wisest thing the good doctor could have said (no matter how true it may have been).

She was detained, but her bag made it onto her America West flight, according to police. The commuter aircraft landed in San Diego a short time later and its crew was instructed to taxi to a remote area at Lindbergh Field.

After the 35 or so passengers and crew were carted away by airport bus, the San Diego Fire Department Bomb Squad moved in. They found no explosives on board the aircraft. They then located Dr. Khoshnu's bag and determined there was nothing suspicious about it. Still, as a precaution (or revenge), they blew it up, then -- to be extra-sure -- they soaked it with water from a fire hose.

After getting the all clear from Lindbergh Field, Phoenix Police freed the good doctor and sent her on the next flight to San Diego, where she was scheduled to attend a conference. Phoenix officers said they would forego charges against her (Felony Frustration? Misdemeanor Mouthing Off?).

Of course, Dr. Khoshnu's ordeal makes us wonder, who counsels those who counsel? --ed.

FMI: www.tsa.gov