In what seems to be an excessively heightened security effort, a plane was emptied of its passengers and re-screened them for signs of terrorism after a metal box cutter was found in a seat pocket. In an effort to pad out the story, the article on News.com.au twice mentions that the plane was delayed for 90 minutes, "We need more story" is what an editor would probably have said about it.
Despite all attempts at elongation, there was no sign of any terror, villains or even hostility as all 233 passengers were deemed fit to fly.
Airport security has been stepped up to a more heightened state of paranoia after many incidents upon planes in Australian airports, including a nutcase who boarded with a sharpened stick and raised a ruckus.
Knives are still being given to people of all backgrounds during the meal flights. Sedatives in plane food and chloroform in the air-conditioning has not been ruled out.
Written on Wednesday, 25 June 2003