October 26, 2003	Sunday	Sha’aban 29, 1424

NEW YORK, Oct 25: An Air France pilot was detained after he allegedly made remarks about the plane blowing up as his baggage was being screened at Kennedy Airport, authorities said.

An alarm went off as the pilot’s checked luggage was sent through a screening machine Friday, and he was called back to the machine, according to Transportation Security Administration spokeswoman Amy von Walter.

As screeners were inspecting his bags, the pilot made comments that included references to the plane blowing up, him blowing up and the story ending up on the front page of The New York Times, von Walter said.

Screeners notified Port Authority police, she said. The screeners completed their inspection and there was no problem with the bag, she said.

Air France spokesman Jim Faulkner said the pilot, whose name was not released, was taken in for questioning and released. —AP