ABC TV’s Chaser Boys prank on Virgin Blue – should it be taken more seriously – let The Mole have your comments

TravelMole subscribers may have read recently about the prank played by the ABC TV’s Chaser Boys on Virgin Blue at Sydney Airport last Wednesday.

The “prank” is particularly relevant as it took place immediately prior to the Pacific Blue hoax bomb threat last Friday in Sydney, the recent situation in London, the diverting of a United aircraft to Boston, a hoax occurrence on a flight to Eqypt over the weekend and in Spain two men of Asian or Middle Eastern appearance were removed from a flight bound for the UK after fellow passengers feared the two men may be terrorists when the passengers became alarmed by the men’s behaviour and demanding their removal.

All these incidents showed that security is clealry working but had the consequences of tremendous stress on already nervous passengers, massive financial impact on the airlines already struggling with the spiralling costs of fuel and potentially impacting on travel confidence.

ABC’s prank resulted in Virgin Blue staff making a “final boarding call” announcement for five late passengers, including one which sounded like Mr Al Qaeda and another which sounded like Mr Terrorist.

Possibly humorous at other times, perhaps this potentially innappropriate prank should have been considered by the ABC as something that travellers and the industry could do without at this time?

The show’s Executive Producer, Julian Morrow, told the Sydney Morning Herald that two tickets were booked online under the names “Mr Al Kyder” and “Mr Terry Wrist” for an 8.30am Virgin Blue flight from Sydney to Melbourne and the boarding passes were obtained using the Virgin Blue’s self-service kiosks, which do not require photo identification.

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The passengers deliberately failed to board the flight, remaining seated at the gate watching and filming the resulting announcement being made over the airport’s PA system, “Good morning ladies and gentleman, this is the final boarding call for [name withheld], [name withheld], Al Kyder, [name withheld], and Terry Wrist, all travelling to Melbourne today on Virgin Blue flight 822.”

Virgin Blue’s Amanda Bolger described the stunt as “childish humour” but said security was never at risk, adding, “The Chaser guys could do well with using spell check, because using names that could be genuine such as Al Kyder and Terry Wrist are hardly going to spark a global security alert, especially considering everyone goes through the same stringent security procedures.”

She also said, “They obviously have Bart Simpson as a consultant and while we are happy to take the $282 taxpayer dollars they spent on the bookings, we don’t think in the current climate, their childish humour is appreciated by anyone.”

It appears the stunt was approved by ABC management, with The Mole asking whether that approval casts some doubt on their credibility and professionalism, with the question regarding the relevance of the prank remaining, as it did nothing whatsoever to threaten security processes. 

The Mole questions whether authorities should be considering if the ABC’s prank is similar to a passenger joking about a bomb being on board an aircraft, or leaving a note on a plane with the potential consequential penalties similar activity has incurred recently?

If you have not seen the video clip of the announcement made by Virgin Blue, click on this link http://www.abc.net.au/tv/chaser/war/video/default.htm, then on “Play Latest Highlights” and then on “eTicketing”.

Please let The Mole know what you think of this ABC prank, its current context, whether it was appropriate under current circumstances, the potential impact and consequences, whether should we expect better from the ABC and whether you think any action should be taken against the ABC by the relevant Authorities.  

Please click on the “ADD A COMMENT” button below and let us have your views

The Mole’s opinion is – ABC grow up and behave appropriately and professionally!