There have been numerous hijackers, would-be hijackers, bank robbers, extortionists, and others who announced they had a bomb, not because they planned to set it off, but in order to coerce the behavior of others (divert the plane, hand over money, etc.). Some of these people actually had a bomb; others had fake bombs (flares wrapped in duct tape, etc.); some were just bluffing. This strategy is less common now, of course, since (as we see) if you announce you have a bomb, you are much more likely to just be shot forthwith rather than be negotiated with. -- Michael C. Berch mcb@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx On Dec 8, 2005, at 1:39 PM, Gerard M Foley wrote: > I just realized that I have never heard of anyone with a bomb > announcing the fact. It is possible, but unlikely, that those who > heard the announcement did not survive.