Chris Roberts, a prominent security researcher, got banned from a United Airlines flight to San Francisco from Colorado because he had posted a tweet wherein he claimed he can hack into the airline’s onboard systems. Apparently, it was a just a tweet suggesting of "playing" with a plane's on-board communications. But United Airlines didn’t find it funny or cute.

Roberts was due to attend a computer security conference but a geek-speak tweet he posted earlier in the week got caught by the airline company. United Airlines denied him boarding on Saturday evening.

Rahsaan Johnson, United spokesman, told the Associated Press that because Roberts himself claimed he can manipulate aircraft systems, the airline decided that he not be allowed to fly to ensure the security of customers and crew members. Johnson added the airline’s security features are intact and cannot be easily accessed through the techniques that Roberts had described.

“Roberts has also made comments about having tampered with aircraft equipment, which is a violation of United policy and something customers and crews shouldn't have to deal with," Johnson said. Roberts is the founder of cybersecurity firm One World Labs. The company, BBC News reports, “tries to find vulnerabilities in IT systems and alert companies to them before they are exploited by criminals.”

His playful tweet got him escorted off by the FBI and questioned for four hours. His laptop and other electronics were likewise seized, but his lawyer said there had been no search warrant for this. If for any consolation, Roberts said his devices are all encrypted, hinting authorities will have a hard time toying with them.

"Roberts was told to expect a letter explaining the reasons for not being allowed to travel on United," the Electronic Frontier Foundation, which represents Roberts, said in a statement. "It is disappointing that United refused to allow him to board, and we hope that United learns that computer security researchers are a vital ally, not a threat," Nate Cardozo, a staff attorney with the foundation, said.

Roberts has actually given a number of media interviews recently to discuss airline system vulnerabilities. "Quite simply put, we can theorise on how to turn the engines off at 35,000 feet and not have any of those damn flashing lights go off in the cockpit," he told Fox News.

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