News coverage

After being forced to watch coverage of Boston on the cable networks at the
gym and chow hall the last three days, I've learned what they are good at:
Telling us what they DON'T know. Guess what guys, I can be badly informed
without watching you all day, I don't need you for that. Don't list the same
three damn facts and then start guessing, I could do that. Tell us what you
know, shut up, and provide any relevant updates at the top of the hour.

And sadly, this poor reporting is now invading print sources. Link and
entire article are below, the passage in question:

"It was unclear whether the questioning had any connection with Monday's
bombings at the Boston Marathon. The Boston Globe reported that the two
passengers were later booked on a different flight."

No, it isn't unclear. Either you have something to report, with facts,
quotes, or at least an expert testimonial, or you have nothing to say. How
this should have read: "No link has been established between this incident
and the one at the Boston Marathon."

~~~
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/chi-2-men-removed-from-uni
ted-flight-from-boston-to-chicago-20130416,0,2819138.story


2 men removed from United flight from Boston to Chicago

By Bridget Doyle

Tribune reporter

6:46 PM CDT, April 16, 2013
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Two men were removed from a United Airlines flight from Boston to Chicago on
Tuesday morning for what passengers said was "suspicious activity."

The men, aboard early morning United Flight 636, were questioned by
authorities and returned to the plane, only to be removed again after at
least one passenger complained, passengers said after they arrived at O'Hare
International Airport.

It was unclear whether the questioning had any connection with Monday's
bombings at the Boston Marathon. The Boston Globe reported that the two
passengers were later booked on a different flight.

Spokesmen for the airport, the Massachusetts State Police and the airline
declined comment.

Boston Marathon finisher Matt Pomeroy, 34, and his wife Elizabeth, 33, said
all seemed calm until a federal agent and a Massachusetts police officer
walked onto the plane and removed two male passengers.

"The two men were taken off the plane for about 15 minutes," said Matt
Pomeroy, of Johnson Creek, Wis. "They were then allowed back on but started
to act suspicious."

Passenger Rich Siok, 31, of Elk Grove Village, said he didn't initially
notice the two men - one of whom was in his row. To him, they looked like
"average citizens."

However, Siok, who also finished the marathon Monday, said he and others
began to notice the men's behavior after they were allowed back on the
plane. The men, who were rows apart, began talking in a foreign language and
using head and hand gestures to communicate, he said.

"It was very nerve-wracking being on the flight," Siok said. "Everyone was
already nervous that they were getting back on because we didn't know what
was going on."

Elizabeth Pomeroy said the two men seemed "jittery and jumpy" and were
"acting suspicious."

"They were talking to each other across the rows - that doesn't normally
happen," Matt Pomeroy said.

Siok said passengers around him began stirring while watching the two men
communicate. As the plane approached the runway, Siok said he pressed the
flight attendant call button.

"I told the flight crew, 'I don't feel comfortable with this.' And they felt
the same exact way," Siok said.

At the gate, multiple FBI agents and police officers boarded the plane and
escorted the two men off, Matt Pomeroy said. The passengers deplaned for
another check.

Pomeroy said he and others felt safer after the additional security sweep of
the plane.

"I'm glad he hit the call button - absolutely," Matt Pomeroy said. "There
wasn't much communication, but I think everyone understood what was going
on."

Siok said the atmosphere on the plane after the men were removed was
"relieved."

"Many of the marathon runners on the plane didn't have places to be today,"
Siok said. "You know, it's better safe than sorry."

Jeremy Gorner and Jennifer Delgado contributed.

bdoyle@tribune.com

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