Watch CBS News

Md. Man With Tourette's Repeatedly Says 'Bomb,' Gets Barred From Plane

ARLINGTON, Va. (AP) -- A Maryland man with Tourette syndrome was barred from a JetBlue flight after repeatedly saying "bomb" during check-in.

Michael Doyle, 19, of Rockville had been scheduled to fly Thursday from Reagan National Airport outside Washington to San Juan, Puerto Rico.

He told a D.C. TV station that he brought paperwork documenting his illness in case he said anything to prompt a security concern. Tourette syndrome is a neurological disorder that can cause uncontrolled speech.

He estimated he said "bomb" as many as 100 times. He said as he became more nervous, the problem worsened.

The Transportation Security Administration let him board, but a JetBlue pilot kicked him off the plane before departure.

The airline issued a statement saying the pilot initially had a security concern but later determined the situation was "innocuous."

(Copyright 2013 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.