BOAT KIDS STUN POLICE AT JFK

NY POST ^ | 12 AUGUST 2003 | JENNIFER FERMINO and HASANI GITTENS

[csvset]

In a shocking security breach at JFK Airport, three teens wandered around an active runway - and were so under the radar that they had to turn themselves in to Port Authority cops, it was revealed yesterday.

The incident began shortly after Joel Phagoo, his kid brother and a cousin launched an inflatable raft to go fishing in Jamaica Bay near the airport, WABC-TV reported last night. When the weather turned bad, the raft drifted toward JFK.

[csvset]

Note to Mohammad & Osama, don't try this. Just because kids can get away with it doesn't mean you can. /sarcasm.

[OldFriend]

Why is there no perimete surveillance?

Did we not just hear that there is concern about missile launchers from shoulder mounts.

Where are all that national security billions going? Payoffs payoffs payoffs and more political payoffs.

Not one more dime without accountability.

[OldFriend]

Why is there no perimeter surveillance?

Did we not just hear that there is concern about missile launchers from shoulder mounts.

Where are all that national security billions going? Payoffs payoffs payoffs and more political payoffs.

Not one more dime without accountability.

[ClearCase_guy]

I'm a little slow this morning. All the references to "PA" in the article had me thinking that the Palestinian Authority was in charge of security at JFK. Turns out it's the Port Authority. Whew!

[AppyPappy]

They could have just as easily launched from the boat. But they could have caused a plane crash being on the tarmac.

[WestPacSailor]

They could have just as easily launched from the boat.

True, and they don't even have to get that close. A large passenger jet on takeoff leaves behind it a HUGE heat signature and, because it is moving relatively slowly at a low altitude, is an easy target for a MANPAD.

However, before you all go cancelling your plane tickets, remember that the missile will home in on the engine, NOT the passenger cabin. Almost all airliners today are designed to be able to fly and land safely even with on engine completely missing from the wing.

It would make spectacular news footage, but the likelyhood of a MANPAD actuall bringing a 747 DOWN is pretty slim.

[Blood of Tyrants]

"If these were three kids with SAM [Surface to Air] missiles, we'd all be saying something different."

Come on, everyone knows that you have to be at least 18 to buy a SAM.

[JustAnAmerican]

"It would make spectacular news footage, but the likelyhood of a MANPAD actuall bringing a 747 DOWN is pretty slim."

I don't know about you, but I would not want to be on one of those "Pretty Slim" 747's.Good ole Murphy has a habit of showing himself.

[Blueflag]

Why do you think they wouldn't be smart enough to fire two or three?

These guys are fanatics, but not stupid.

The offense always has the advantage over the defense. That's why removing the source of the problem is the resolution.

[SerpentDove]

Unreal.

[Salgak]

Yes, and no. A MANPAD **would** home in on an engine, but generally generate a "donut" shaped explosion, due to the shaping of the charge. Generally, enough to rupture the wing, and more importantly, the wing fuel tanks.

Maybe I'm being pessimistic, but I'd PLAN on a MANPAD being able to down a jetliner, and plan security accordingly. . .

[WestPacSailor]

I don't know about you, but I would not want to be on one of those "Pretty Slim" 747's

Don't get me wrong...I would not want to be on one either! However, I still fly. I believe that when my number is up, it's up. Besides, I am destined to die doing something really stupid, nothing so mundane as an airplane crash.

Hey, Cleetus, hold muh beer...

[ican'tbelieveit]

I was having a problem grasping that too.

[Rebelbase]

"Come on, everyone knows that you have to be at least 18 to buy a SAM.""

And sit out the 3 day waiting period also.

[WestPacSailor]

...I'd PLAN on a MANPAD being able to down a jetliner, and plan security accordingly

Certainly a wise course of action. Plan for the worst, and take action accordingly.

[Dallas59]

Get to the Airport 3 hours early, be searched and looked at like your carrying 20 pounds of TNT, trip and fall over hundreds of misplaced "bomb barriers"...and then a couple of kids take a hike on a runway and no one's noticing. Who's protecting who (whom) and what against? No wonder the Airline industry is broke.

If I don't have to fly, I won't, Airports and travel by air isn't fun anymore. It's down right dreadful.

[cuz_it_aint_their_money]

Almost all airliners today are designed to be able to fly and land safely even with on engine completely missing from the wing.

That may be, however, can the airliner fly and land safely with an entire wing missing?
Doubt it.
And it would just be my kind of luck that the SAM would take out not only the engine but the wing as well.

[Trailerpark Badass]

Come on, everyone knows that you have to be at least 18 to buy a SAM.

Actually, you have to be 21 to buy a Destructive Device, according to the NFA. ;0)

[WestPacSailor]

Airports and travel by air isn't fun anymore

I believe it is actually punishment for something I did in a former life.

[OldFriend]

Our family continues to fly.......well over one hundred flights since 9/11.......but my heart is always in my throat when my kids are flying.