I know it was only $200,000 but I don’t how much it weighed. If I was going to steal money, even in the 70’s, Id’ve gone for something MUCH more worthwhile. I’ve fallen out of airplanes before (for a lot less, granted) but I would’ve wanted a whole lot more than a house for a suicide mission.
weight - depends on the denominations of the bills. if we’re talking 100s, in ten grand bands, thats 20*100 = 2000 bills, is 2000 grams, is about 4.5 pounds. if it’s in twenties it’s about 23 pounds. and five times bulkier.
the amount was important as had he tried for too much it would have taken time.
D.B. was smart enough to ask for a reasonable amount that could have been gotten rather quickly along with a para chute.
A real kool event in time
Thanks D.B.
At the time, it was noted that this was about the maximum amount of cash that Northwest Orient could reasonably be expected to raise on short notice in the Seattle area.
This led to the supposition that there was an "inside job" element to the caper.