United Passenger who Forced Newark-Bound Flight to Return to Vegas over ‘Hijacking Threat’ has Boozy Explanation

A United Airlines passenger accused of grounding his plane home to New Jersey after a flight attendant saw him texting about alleged hijacking plans told cops he was just drunk and joking around with a friend in another seat.

Dante Milne, 25, a trainee welder, was arrested over the weekend for allegedly sending a text, saying, “I’m gonna hijack this bitch and crash ur row only,” while aboard a United Airlines flight from Las Vegas to Newark Saturday, according to a criminal complaint.

After his arrest, the Wood-Ridge, New Jersey-native told investigators he’d downed a beer and some shots at the airport bar.

He then fell asleep on the flight only to discover after he awoke that the plane was heading back to Vegas just minutes after taking off, according to Fox 5 Vegas, which cited his arrest report.

Initially, Milne said he texted someone on the flight but said he didn’t remember what the messages were about, the arrest report said. (Read more from “United Passenger who Forced Newark-Bound Flight to Return to Vegas over ‘Hijacking Threat’ has Boozy Explanation” HERE)