I woke up to the following news story. Needless to say it is all over the news here. Let us keep our thoughts and prayers with the crew and gunman and look for a peaceful resolve to this.

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5jfW2kkxHGaPHoCpx0nTDDMBkwaJgD9 7M5G6O0

Just now the news report on the radio is saying they have the gunman in custody. That is all they said. I will keep you updated as I hear.

Just heard, all crew is now safely out of the plane.

The hijacker is a young man, reportedly of unsound mind.
Said he wanted to be taken to Cuba, initially, then changed his mind about that and demanded an "upgrade" to a European trip.
He was eventually overpowered by the local security team assigned to that task and the immediate crisis is over.
Now, it's time to face up to the possible fallout from this.

Here's an article from the Associated Press
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090420/ap_on_re_la_am_ca/cb_jamaica_airplane_hijack ed

I work with a woman who was flying to Cuba via Jamaica this weekend to attend a wedding. The news is saying there is a group of 25 people from my province, New Brunswick, who were aboard the plane - a group travelling to a wedding in Cuba. Needless to say we are all wondering if she was aboard the hihacked plane. This was her first time ever on a plane. Can you imagine??

This will not be good for tourism.

How could that happen after all the hassle you have to go through to board a plane. Travelling is no fun anymore. Its all over the major network. Give thanks no one was hurt. Thats scary.

My co-worker was aboard. She was among a group of hearing-impaired people who were on their way to a wedding in Cuba. Other passengers said the deaf passengers were very frightened as they could not hear what was happening. The news stories here say the passengers were tormented by the hijacker for over 2 hours before he released them after robbing them all. They spent most of the time with their heads down near their laps. How frightening for anyone, let alone a deaf person.

I don't think this would discourage tourists from vacationing in Jamaica. Let's be positive.

I agree with you Positive.Hijacking has been around for ages and it surely has not stopped people from traveling.Too bad it had to happen in our beautiful island home.

I think our security services handled the situation superbly. No casualties or death's,well done.

I must commend the Jamaica Defence Force Counter Terrorism Operations Group for a job well done. No where in the world do we find armed forces to have acted with such quick and successful resolution. Sure wish the JDF were part of the whole 9/11 rescue team; need I say more. Wi is a small country wid smart peeps.

It is so unfortunate that something like this had to happen in our 'sweet Jamaica'. Glad to know that everyone got off the plane unhurt.
It is said that the gunman was of unsound mind; but really i think the people of unsound mind is the security. This is utter slackness. If you went through with a bottle of water in your luggage they would take it away it as this is liquid and is not allowed, but a man got through with a GUN! SHAME on the security system. THEY SHOULD ALL BE FIRED!
Who is of unsound mind?

If it's any consolation SHAME O T S. I remember reading that when undercover people tested some security systems in North America they also got through with illegal items.

Sounds like human error. Still, this is a lesson to be learned. Let's wait for the report before we accuse the MoBay Airport security of slackness and madness. Lets save it for some more worthly of these titles in the mean time.

By accident on various occassions I have passed thru Jamaican security with bottles of water, nail files, sicssors.
I wondered every time that happened if someone was going to carry a weapon on board a plane one time.
Now I know the answer to my question.

The same thing has happened to me in Canada. I meant to finish my water, but forgot it until I was on the plane.

The newspaper here said they were held for 8 hours!! What an ordeal!

Congratulations to the Jamaican Rescue Team.
No One Was Injured in the rescue, which is itself remarkable.

Not really picking on Jamaican security because security all all airports can be a pain, but we encountered a particularly hostile security person leaving Sangster on one occasion. She insisted on tossing my husband's safety razor blades in the trash. Her rationale: I could use them to slit my own wrists on the flight. Aside from that being ridiculously impossible, I wondered how that could have compromised the safety of the flight. However, by mistake, I made it through security with a cigarette lighter - far more potentially dangerous in the scheme of things.

I've learned not to argue with airport personnel in foreign countries. Put someone in a uniform and they think they have the power to do about anything. That pertains to incoming Customs too.

I went through LGA, NY without being checked also. So this doesn't happen in 'just' Jamaica. Yes, Jamaica is sweet and it's paradise, but not exempt.

Although one doesn't have to do with the other, but 'some' customs personnel at the airports in Jamaica can be very crude at times, especially at the Kingston Airport. I am surprised they did not harass the gunman when he just walked through their security.

I can relate to your story Anonymous. Some years ago, after waiting all day at Mo Bay due to flight delays, I was taken out of the line by a lone female security personnel. She directed me to a room where she patted me down, all by herself. It took me a while to get over my bewilderment, and I only relaxed after my companions joked that she may have had other reasons for her "search".
Regardless of modern technology, the system is only as good as the people running it. Human error and/or laziness can happen anywhere and anytime, and I don't think this will affect Tourism in any way. Too bad it had to happen 'pon the Rock though.

Since you all so critical and know that it was not acceptable why you all didn't remind the security to check you when they overlooked you? My point here is that no one is perfect so stop finding fault and give the father thanks that there were no fatalities.

People, i have read all your comments and i must ask. If you or a family member/s,or friend was on that flight or God forbid if there were fatalities would you still think like that? i stand by my comment.