[Steve_Seattle]

"There have been F-16's in the air over D.C. all the time the past couple of days. I don't see how a diverted plane gets anywhere near a target in D.C."

The only way I could see it happening is if it were a direct flight into DC that was highjacked late in the flight, before we could respond. We might be able to shoot it down before it hit the Capitol, but it might come down in a populated area.

[Steve_Seattle]

"The only way I could see it happening is if it were a direct flight into DC that was highjacked late in the flight"

Or, as another poster suggested, if the plane were piloted by a terrorist mole who had infiltrated the airlines. In that case, he could probably fly it right into the Capitol, no problem.

[japaneseghost]

You can't even get up to take a pee 30 minutes to/from Reagan National. Air Marshals on all flights.

I don't think there are any int'l flights at National, because the runways aren't long enough.

Flight attendants and crews all know each other. A strange pilot would be red flag time.