Headscratchers / Non-Stop (2014)

• So, how did Reilly, as an experienced NYPD officer not realise that the gun Marks gave him was empty? Surely the first thing he should have done was check it.
  • This only really works if Reilly was actually familiar with the pistol in question. For example, the NYPD uses the Glock 19. The Pistol that Marks and the other Marshal use is the Sig Sauer P229 (standard issue for Air Marshals). Even assuming if Reilly had one, he was handed it in the heat of the moment, and never really had a chance to check it.
• Was there a reason why they couldn't have just thrown the briefcase bomb outside a door/window instead of letting it go off in the plane? Or was the chance that it would land somewhere with people too risky?
  • They mention that dropping the bomb out a window would trigger the pressure switch, and still possibly detonate it too close to the plane, but it still seems shaky.
  • Opening a door while the airplane is in flight is something that is greatly discouraged and windows can't be opened and doors have mechanisms that prevent them from being opened in flight anyway.