9 Year Old Boy Sneaks onto 2 Southwest Airlines Flights

[Parche]

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9-year-old runaway sneaks onto 2 flights
Wash. runaway, 9, sneaks onto 2 flights before getting caught in Texas
The Associated Press
Updated: 3:16 p.m. PT Jan 17, 2007
LAKEWOOD, Wash. - A 9-year-old boy ran away from home and sneaked onto two flights before he was caught by police after missing his connection for a third flight, officials said Wednesday.

Semaj Booker apparently found a Southwest Airlines boarding card and made it through airport security twice Tuesday. He flew from Seattle to Phoenix, where he transferred onto a flight to San Antonio, Texas. He was taken into custody at San Antonio airport — short of his Dallas destination, police said.

The fourth-grader remained in juvenile custody in San Antonio on Wednesday. He had been trying to get to his grandfather in Dallas, where he used to live.

"The only thing I have to offer on that is that we're looking into it," Southwest spokeswoman Beth Harbin said.

The boy was unhappy after his family moved to Lakewood, outside Tacoma, Wash. His odyssey began Sunday when he stole a car that was left running outside a neighbor's house, only to be spotted by police near a highway intersection.

Police pursued Semaj at speeds up to 90 mph until he took an exit and the engine blew, after which the car went over a curb and coasted into a tree. He refused to come out of the car, so officers broke a window to unlock a door and immediately recognized him as a frequent runaway and car thief, Lakewood police Lt. David B. Guttu said.

After his failed runaway attempt Sunday, Semaj escaped from home again on Tuesday, this time traveling by plane instead of car.

Likes to drive, too

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http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/16673691/

[rpgamerd00d]

1. "When I become an evil overlord, I will show my plan to a 9 year old, and...

... any flaws he can find in the plan will be corrected."

We're "safe" from terrorists because they scan our frigging shoes, but a 9 yr old can outsmart DHS?

Great.

:eyes:

[cynatnite]

2. You nailed it

I feel sorry for the boy. Sounds like he's got a lot of problems, but for a kid to be able to easily get on and off planes without so much as a question is disturbing.

Don't kids at that age have to have a note or something from a parent in order to fly alone? Looks like several people failed to do their job.

[Parche]

4. southwest

Southwest is a fantastic airline
Has maintained a profit for over 30years now
But this is a major security concern.


I cant wait to see this episode of ................AIRLINE!!!!!!!

[Sugar Smack]

3. GOOD LORD!

That boy must really love his grandfather. He's going to grow up and work for NASA, I'm guessing. Meanwhile, make the adults around him look a little foolish.

[cdnwannabe]

5. Never flying Southwest again, since they kicked someone off...

wearing an anti-BushCo t-shirt. Besides, their cattle-call operation is annoying and inefficient. Everyone wants to sit in the front, so the line runs out into the jetway longer and it often takes much longer to board than a flight with assigned seats.

[HockeyMom]

7. Flying Jet Blue (JFK) to Florida

even though SW is same price, same time, and 30 miles closer to where I live (Long Island). The reason is everything you listed above.

[cdnwannabe]

8. Cool - nice to know I'm not the only one....

at least there are options!

[Sequoia]

6. Those 4th grade South Parkers!!