[dredmorbius]

The Cooper and copycat actions involved in some cases actual or plausible explosives, and at least the threat to blow up a plane.

The longer list of airline-terrorism incidents may (I haven't combed through it thoroughly), and I'd posted that for you or another reader to dig through should there be an interest.

I do acknowledge your general observation that most cases of phoned-in airline bomb threats don't appear to involve actual (or even dummy) explosives, the threat itself is sufficiently disruptive. And that for those intent on actually blowing up an aircraft, it's the act and not the mere threat which is sufficient. That said, I'm not convinced that that's always the case, and at the very least the Cooper and related instances seem to offer reasonably near-instance exceptions.

My aim really isn't nit-picking, pedantry, or belligerence, but an aim for accuracy. And again, your larger point certainly seems to cover most instances. If we can shake out some exceptions that would be interesting.

Thanks for your information and observations, BTW.

[causi]

the threat itself is sufficiently disruptive

Exactly. My point is that it shouldn't be, because there's about as much actual danger as a twelve year old cursing at you on Xbox Live.