B737-700
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 199; Flight Crew Type 7600
Time Pressure; Training / Qualification; Communication Breakdown; Confusion; Physiological - Other
Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Security
Flight Crew Requested ATC Assistance / Clarification; Flight Crew Took Evasive Action; Flight Crew Diverted; Flight Crew Overcame Equipment Problem
Procedure; Chart Or Publication; Environment - Non Weather Related
We diverted enroute due to a specific bomb threat to our flight and aircraft. I was pilot flying and Captain handled all the non-ATC coordination with station Operations; Dispatch; and Ground Emergency personnel concerning evacuation and deplaning concerns. He informed ATC and Operations at least 20 minutes from landing of the need for air stairs since our aircraft would be shut down in a remote area of the ramp near the end of Taxiway C3 just south of the departure end of Runway 26. Divert; flying; landing; and taxi in were uneventful. Kudos to Center; Approach and Tower for expeditious handling of our divert.Upon landing; fire and rescue crews; to include bomb squad; police; and Company Ramp and Maintenance personnel were at the ready. However; no air stairs or transportation was ready for our crew and passengers. The details of the bomb threat were unknown to us so we had to assume that an expeditious deplaning of the aircraft was warranted. It took a full 20 minutes from stopping until the stairs arrived. We were close to declaring an emergency evacuation through the front service door with slides. Although it was 115 degrees F on the ramp; we felt the passengers could have been escorted into the shade or inside the building at the Executive terminal; which was a short walk away. There was confusion amongst Airport personnel on the status of the stairs and bus transportation. From the time the Captain notified airborne to the arrival of the stairs was over 45 minutes. I felt this was an unacceptable delay; and could have endangered the safety of the passengers and crew. Better coordination amongst Airport; Emergency Response; and Company personnel in the event of bomb threat diversion. Time is of the essence. Air stairs should be at the ready on a quick call for use in these types of situations.
ATC; Emergency Personnel and Company Personnel handled a B737 very well after the crew diverted following a specific bomb threat but airstairs to remove passengers and crew arrived twenty minutes after the aircraft parked at the remove spot.