United Passenger Accused of 'Hijack' Text Says It Was 'Banter Between Coworkers' After Flight Turns Back

A United Airlines passenger accused of sending a text threatening to hijack a plane and crash it into a specific row told police the message was “banter between coworkers,” according to a report cited in the case. Prosecutors have charged Dante Raymond Milne, 25, after United Flight 1681 returned to Las Vegas following a flight attendant’s discovery of the alleged text. The aircraft was traveling from Harry Reid International Airport to Newark Liberty International Airport when it turned back less than 20 minutes after takeoff, with the crew waiting until above 10,000 feet before notifying the captain, per procedure described in the report. Police escorted two passengers off the plane. The FAA said the flight returned safely and would investigate. Milne faces a felony threat-related charge.