What critical information should a controller try and obtain from a pilot during a bomb threat?

When responding to a bomb threat, it is vital for the controller to gather specific information regarding the type, series, model of the aircraft, and a detailed description of the bomb itself. This information is crucial for multiple reasons.

First, identifying the aircraft helps emergency responders tailor their approach based on the potential size and type of the flight. Certain aircraft may have unique structures or materials that influence how a bomb may affect them. Understanding the specifics allows for better risk assessment.

Second, obtaining details about the bomb, including its location and description, enables authorities to formulate an effective containment or disarming strategy. This intelligence is critical to ensuring the safety of the passengers and crew, as well as any individuals on the ground.

The other options, while they might seem relevant, do not provide the immediate, actionable information needed to effectively manage a bomb threat situation. Personal details of the pilot and passenger behavior may offer some context but do not directly contribute to the urgent situation at hand. Likewise, information about the flight plan and intended landing location is important for routine operations but less so during an active threat where information about the bomb is paramount.