Continental pilot startled by encounter with 'rocket'(Houston)

Houston Chronicle via Drudge Report ^ | May 26, 2008 | CINDY HORSWELL

[Ramius]

We are supposed to believe a commercial jet was at 5000 feet of altitude 8 miles from the runway. The plane had taken off and should have been gaining altitude.

I don't know about Houston, but some airports (like John Wayne in OC) have "noise-abatement" procedures, where they have to climb sharply and level off quick at a lower altitude, drop the power and get out of town before they continue up to whatever altitude they are headed for.

[Ramius]

Heh... thought of that, too. I just saw Ironman yesterday. Awesome movie. Gotta see it again.

[driftdiver]

I guess you guys are right, I just don’t expect the truth where these folks are involved. these folks = FAA and or JTTF as it relates to the airline industry.

[Rebelbase]

When my kids were younger we lost a bunch of them in the suburbs around here. I gave one with lower class motors to my GF’s kid last month and have to aim it into the wind to target a recovery area. So far we haven’t lost it.

[Joe Boucher]

I dive out of Fort Pierce and Stuart. Not as clear usually but less picked over for lobsters and less folks.
Once in a while the keys or Weekie Watchie and Hospital Hole.

[El Gato]

All right, what have you HAT Rednecks been up to now? I mean blowing up lemons on your head is one thing.. but.. shesh!

[El Gato]

It occurs to me that 8 miles from Bush is not far from The Keep. Maybe the midget did it? Or that raggedy assed “terrorist” traded in his sword and AK for a SAM?

[El Gato]

A ground launched missile would have went for the engines and not the cockpit.

What they go for and what they actually manage are two different things, Especially if they've burned out or the seeker loses lock for some reason.

[OnRightOnLeftCoast]

At the Atlas Shrugs site they posted comments from a internal pilots website:

Missile Shot

====================

Just got back from the 5 day Bogata trip. We pulled up the Atis for IAH on the way in and it advised to exercise extreme caution for MANPAD events. Queried dispatch and they were clueless. Center said someone reported a missile launched at or near their a/c 11 miles east of IAH. Did anyone learn what happened or if this is bogus?

====================

Just landed from SLC. Theres's nothing on ATIS now & we didn't hear anything about it on the way in. I guess the FAA/NTSB/DOT/FBI/CIA/NSA/KGB/PBS cover up has already begun. The Truth is Out There!

[OnRightOnLeftCoast]

At the Atlas Shrugs site they posted comments from a internal pilots website:

Missile Shot

====================

Just got back from the 5 day Bogata trip. We pulled up the Atis for IAH on the way in and it advised to exercise extreme caution for MANPAD events. Queried dispatch and they were clueless. Center said someone reported a missile launched at or near their a/c 11 miles east of IAH. Did anyone learn what happened or if this is bogus?

====================

Just landed from SLC. Theres's nothing on ATIS now & we didn't hear anything about it on the way in. I guess the FAA/NTSB/DOT/FBI/CIA/NSA/KGB/PBS cover up has already begun. The Truth is Out There!

[El Gato]

Somebody who observed the plane said on the radio they thought it was armed.....

Unless by "Armed" one means with bombs, the only visible armament on the A-10 might be Sidewinder (AIM-9) self defense missiles.

Otherwise, A-10s are always armed. They are a gun with an airplane wrapped around it. Although usually only carry practice ammunition. But even that would ruin the day of some Jihadi should the Hog need to take him out.

There is an A-10 Air Guard unit at Battle Creek Michigan, about 160 air miles from Cleveland.

[mad_as_he$$]

I have often wondered what an old Wild Weasel pilot would do. That would be a E ticket and probably bend the wings on the aircraft.

[ol painless]

There is a mosque literally within eye-shot of the runway at George Bush Intercontinental. Almost perfect stinger range.