[PMWelsh]

Until the aircraft can be located and identified, until the aircraft black box recorder can be retrieved – there is some hope which is the key to morale.

With regards to the 2 documents which have come to light, from my own experience in the document security/travel and immigration – passport world, it is clear to me this is an avenue which will and must be followed because of the implications should it be a deliberate act of sabotage/terrorism.

I understand the documents were stolen in Thailand and reported to the authorities of those countries – Austria and Italy. If the documents were utilised by smugglers/terrorists/criminals or people traffickers it would be a case of – supplying them to an individual to impose as the actual holder of the document (imposter) or the document could have been tampered with (forged) by either the biodata page being removed and replaced with a counterfeit. Alternatively, if the document was the older machine readable passport with an physical photograph affixed (certainly non biometric) – the document biodata page would be substituted with a photograph of the person intended to use it.

The authorities will no doubt follow a course of action:

How were the tickets purchased and where? Cash purchase or credit/debit card/paypal? On line or in person by telephone/fax?

Were the tickets bought together or separately? Reports indicate they were purchased in sequence suggesting they were bought together in the identities of the stolen documents. I understand the tickets were bought through a Chinese airline which code-shares with Malaysian.

What documents were used to check in? Did the 2 documents have entry permits as social visitors to Malaysia? Are there records of their arrival cards and departure cards? Were the documents used to depart Malaysia at the immigration check point? Did the travellers use other identification and travel tickets to depart through immigration and then use the boarding passes/documents in these aliases to get on the aircraft? Did the documents contain visas for China or were the passengers simply transiting China onwards? Reports are they had onward tickets to Europe. Were the documents repeatedly missed?

Most of the terror suspects of the past used their real identities and some were monitored by the authorities. The British passport is the most widely abused document in the world. Please do not be surprised if some countries place visa requirements on UK and other EU citizens – particularly so as the current trend is that UK and others seem to see citizenship differently and naturalisation/ nationality /passports as a cash cow free for all.

No doubt the authorities will be checking CCTV, bookings, backgrounds, forensics etc until they retrieve the aircraft.

People smuggling and petty criminals are common the world over – I have never really encountered trafficking to China, then there is always a first.

I have travelled extensively in the Asia/Pacific area and am impressed with the level of security and efficiency that exists at Hong Kong, Changi, Bandar Seri Begawan, Kota Kinabalu, Shanghai, Macau, Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok, Guangzhou and Beijing airports.

Efficient service and speculation commentary over – let us hope the aircraft is intact and the passengers alive.

[LuganoPirate]

The two pax were transiting onwards to AMS so would not have required a Chinese visa. Does not mean they were terrorists though. Could have been drug smugglers or even illegal immigrants.

[HarryMonk]

I wonder how many more times we will see the posts on this forum advertising the availability of fraudulent documents?

Fortunately I believe the users of this forum are the wrong target audience for their wares but the fact they spam so openly is concerning

[DavidGordon10]

Sadly, let us be realistic PMWelsh. There is effectively zero possibility of the aircraft being found intact, anywhere, and of any survivors. It is a tragedy.

[LuganoPirate]

Agree Harry. I hope BT pass the info on to the relevant authorities and something is done about it.

[MartynSinclair]

More importantly, I hope the authorities where some emails originate decide to help out as I recall quite a few of the spam originates from Vietnam..

I hope in the months that follow, the authorities all over the world, do not increase airport Q’s by becoming paranoid about passports. I realise something needs to be done and hope it can be implemented without causing 99.99% of us to become even more frustrated with airport travel.

EDIT – I do find it quite bizarre that 48 hours or so after the aircraft disappears, there is still very little or no clue as to where it lay…..

[IanFromHKG]

LP/Harry, it is up to all of us to take action. The first time those fake ID spam emails appeared on this site, I reported them to the police here and in the UK. Never received any follow-up, though

[ekond111]

LuganoPirate – 09/03/2014 18:45 GMT – well said – it is more likely these 2 passengers were illegal workers – otherwise why buy a through ticket to AMS….and not a cheaper one to a closer destination….

BTW My 80 year old mother flew out on a BA 777 last night….she was as cool as a cucumber….bless her I hope she is enjoying her flight in CW…

[monfrere77]

Extremely shocking that people can still post adverts selling fake passport, ID’s etc on BT.

Such post should immediatelly be removed and as it is a criminal offence to sell fake identity papers.

When will such adverts / posts stop?

[JKL]

monfrere77 – 10/03/2014 03:34 GMT

+1

Rather insensitive of them under the circumstances, aside from anything else, though probably automated posts…

Just about to board an MH flight to KUL – would have been a 777 but they’ve swapped it out for an A330 (I assume for the obvious operational reasons rather than anything else). Not that I would have been bothered flying on a 777 – still a very safe aircraft (and airline) in my view.

[Moadweeb]

MartynSinclaire : Just saw the horrible movie ‘Non-Stop’ with the old and haggard ‘ Liam Neeson ‘ as a Federal Marshal who stops a hijacking. It’s time that man gives up these stereotypical roles for something fresh..

The reason I mention this movie is because maybe ” & I hope I am right ” that the plane was hijacked hence the criminals on-board may have switched off all equipment including the transponders and beacons before landing..This seems to be the only plausible explanation for the disappearing act on such a modern aircraft with so many back-up systems.

The only other option which I shudder to think of is a mid-air explosion..

Keeping my fingers crossed and prayers on my lips..

Moadweeb

[LuganoPirate]

Ian +1 It’s sad the police rarely follow up. I received a disgusting scam email offering fake documents, Viagra and “young girls”. I forward this to the email address the uk police had set up and heard nothing. Not even an acknowledgement.

I realise they are probably inundated but some acknowledgement to concerned citizens should be the minimum.

[LuganoPirate]

Ekond, I hope your mum enjoyed her flight. Not a first time flyer I assume?

[IanFromHKG]

My own Mum arrived on Saturday on a 777. Down to Australia on Wednesday and back a couple of weeks later, both of those sectors on an A330, and then back to the UK on a 777 again. If I were concerned about the 777 we would be rebooking, but we’re not. It’s a safe aircraft, IMHO. None of which, of course, stops me thinking about the MH tragedy. How very sad…

[SimonS1]

HarryMonk – 09/03/2014 19:11 GMT
I wonder how many more times we will see the posts on this forum advertising the availability of fraudulent documents?

Interesting to see your comments Harry. Particularly given that as recently as 26th January you weren’t bothered by it at all and quick to propose those suggesting changes should go elsewhere, create their own forum etc.

http://www.businesstraveller.com/discussion/topic/New-Handles?page=3

[Author]

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