MOST travellers know that uttering the four-letter word, 'bomb', within earshot of airport security staff is not a good idea.

But this Singapore woman did just that - twice.

Then Mrs Lee got into an argument with security staff that led to a missed flight to Darwin with her husband and two children, aged 8 and 13.

Angry, Mrs Lee wrote a complaint to the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) which was subsequently circulated widely on the Internet.

The CAAS acknowledged that airport security officers could have handled the situation better and apologised to the Lee family.

A spokesman, however, emphasised the importance of security in air travel.

'It is necessary for security staff at the airport to be especially vigilant to any threat. Any abnormal situation or possible threat would need to be further investigated.'

Mrs Lee's complaint had listed her and her family members' full names, their home and e-mail address, and mobile phone number in the e-mail that was circulated.

Consequently, her husband said they have been overwhelmed by calls, SMSes and e-mails for the past four days from strangers who received the forwarded e-mail.

The couple did not want to be identified when speaking to The New Paper.

The incident on 9 Mar at Changi Airport's Budget Terminal led to further questioning by security officers.

But the CAAS added: 'At no time was the passenger under arrest, and once police ascertained the circumstances of the matter, she was allowed to leave.'

Mrs Lee claims her 13-year-old daughter had asked why her boots had to be scanned by the airport security machines.

Mrs Lee said she replied: 'They (the security officers) are afraid that we might keep bombs in our shoes.'

She repeated the sentence a second time when a security officer asked her to repeat herself.

Her husband, a 34-year-old professional, confirmed the incident and said his wife's e-mail to the CAAS was also forwarded to a few of their friends.

But unknown to the couple, the e-mail was then widely forwarded, reaching people in Australia and the US as well.

The contents of the e-mail has since been posted online on a local forum.

CALLS FROM STRANGERS

Mr Lee said he had received calls from strangers abroad even after midnight.

Mrs Lee's complaint alleged that at about 7.15pm, she and her daughter passed through immigration.

They then went through the security gantry and Mrs Lee, 34, was asked to remove her boots for scanning.

After passing through the metal detector, she collected her hand luggage and boots.

It was then that the exchange between mother and daughter caught the security officer's attention.

In the e-mail, Mrs Lee claimed another officer said that her use of the word, 'bomb', was 'against the law' and she could be 'sent to jail'.

A third officer then stepped in to find out what happened. By then, Mrs Lee said her daughter was in tears.

Mr Lee and their son were still at the ticketing counter sorting out the boy's visa.

When the officer's superior arrived, Mrs Lee explained to him: 'I did not know saying the word 'bomb' is against the law.

'I further explained... the word was taken completely out of context as part of an answer to my daughter's question.'

When Mr Lee and their son cleared immigration and security, he too tried to explain the situation so the family could board their flight.

But they missed their flight as they had to wait for the police to arrive. It was 10.45pm by the time the family could leave.

Within a week of receiving their complaint, Caas met the Lees and reimbursed their travel expenses.

Mr Lee said: 'It was a terrible experience, but the airport management was professional and quick in replying to us.

'We understand that it is a delicate balance between security and passenger needs.'