A Wi-Fi network dubbed “Mobile Detonation Device” aboard a flight from Melbourne to Perth last weekend left dozens of passengers refusing to fly, Australian news outlets reported Monday.
A female passenger had just boarded Qantas flight QF481 in Melbourne on Saturday when she noticed that her phone detected a nearby wireless network named “Mobile Detonation Device,” The West Australian reported.
The passenger alerted the crew about the inappropriately named Wi-Fi network, and the pilot announced that the flight would be delayed while the crew attempted to locate a “device.”
“He said there was a device on the plane that had a name on it that he found threatening and that we were not leaving until that device was brought to him,” passenger John Vidler told The West Australian.
Flight staff ultimately failed to find the device and the plane was eventually cleared for takeoff, but not until after Qantas alerted the Australian Federal Police.
Mr. Vidler said he and about 40 other passengers were so unnerved by the incident that they refused to stay flight, causing further delays while their luggage was unloaded.
The plane landed safely in Perth later in the day, two hours behind schedule.
• Andrew Blake can be reached at ablake@washingtontimes.com.
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