Terror plot to attack US with BA jets

The Sunday Times (UK) ^ | 1/04/03 | Davis Leppard

[Eala]

Welcome to Free Republic

[Revolting cat!]

Everyone's a critic! Save us your confession, by the way, we don't care who you are and where you live!

[Mad_Tom_Rackham]

[“The notion that the US can bounce the rest of us into cancelling flights all the time needs to be addressed,” said one British minister.]

You don't have to cancel the flight--you just can't land it in the US. Other than that, fly the damn thing all you want.

How long will it be before some judge in Brussels orders the US to allow these planes to land?

[GEC]

I just don't see how anyone can hijack a plane and take over the cockpit again.

I take it that you've never been to France.

[Prime Choice]

One of the passengers who failed to turn up was a trained pilot from the Middle East who has since disappeared and cannot be traced, according to US intelligence sources.

Well if that statement doesn't have a high Sphincter Factor, I don't know what does. Yikes.

[Bubba_Leroy]

I am surprised that with all the many millions of dollars at the terrorists disposal that they haven't just bought a plane, loaded it with whatever they want, and just fly it into a target.

If any 747s manage to enter US airspace without proper clearance they won't get very far. You could get a light aircraft in, but you can do more damage with a moving van full of fertilizer.

A much bigger risk is a dirty bomb in a shipping container set to explode in the middle of a major US port.

[GEC]

A much bigger risk is a dirty bomb in a shipping container set to explode in the middle of a major US port.

This would be bad, but I would think it would be much easier to do substantial damage by carjacking a bunch of gasoline tankers and going after bridges, tunnels, and even ramming large buildings.

[blam]

"One of the passengers who failed to turn up was a trained pilot from the Middle East who has since disappeared and cannot be traced, according to US intelligence sources. "

How many lives were saved...this all looks legit.

[Mark17]

Unless the passengers were French or pacifist Brits.

Maybe even they would fight hijackers, when faced with their quick demise.

[Revolting cat!]

Don't get too cozy Louis, I think this is not the beginning of a beautiful friendship!

[riri]

Or a nuclear bomb given to al-qaida by Pakistan, Iran, Russia or North Korea. Those countries that Bush is too reluctant to strike militarily

Would you support him if he did strike one of these countries militarily?

[Lael]

Richard Reid DID have a shoe bomb, which he was attempting to set off, when overpowered. That's no wild goose chase.

Yeah, and some suspect the Aircraft that crashed into Belle Harbor, N. Y. had a shoe bomber on board.

[LuigiBasco]

"I just don't see how anyone can hijack a plane and take over the cockpit again."

"I take it that you've never been to France".

Since his sign up date is Jan 4 2004 he must be from France!

[luvbach1]

Ah yes, the Brits are on board.

[aBootes]

How long will it be before some judge in Brussels orders the US to allow these planes to land?

How long will it be before we build an airstrip capable of handling these jets at Gitmo? ;)

[CindyDawg]

You can't post yet. You aren't here until tomorrow:')