'Real and Definite Threat' Caused BA Flight Cancellation

The Scotsman ^ | Jan 02 2004 | By Caroline Gammell, PA News

[nicmarlo]

that is a nice pic; I've been on 747's before; they're nice planes. Lot's of room in those.

[nicmarlo]

How's the speed? In air at an altitude of 10000 feet and ground speed of 351 KTS

[Prodigal Son]

Okay. I could buy AQ destroying this flight over D.C. airspace, but them attempting to hijack the flight - just honestly can't see it happening. Hijacking a cargo plane, yes, but not another passenger plane.

I'm not so certain Coop. Sure, you and I know that the passengers would stand up and fight- but does al Qaeda? How do they know this? I mean, it hasn't been made an official policy or anything. If you're sitting in some stinking cave in Pakistan and you're planning this thing, what would be your impetus for thinking the passengers would put up a fight?

Second, this might not even be al Qaeda. This could be an 'also-ran' or a group that has the training but not the brains. We've been hammering away at al Qaeda for two years. Perhaps their serious planners and intel types that helped them put together such well coordinated operations like 9/11 are 'dead or otherwise accounted for'. Lot of people here figure Osama is dead. If he's dead and all his smart guys are out of the loop, maybe the ones they have left behind are not so smart and they figure they could get away with this.

I don't know, I just have a hard time applying rational thought to these nutjobs. I'm sure they're capable of it and I'm sure they try to figure out new and interesting ways to kill the Great Satan, but you always have to throw that 'Whacko Factor' into the mix.

[BulletBobCo]

Not sure about that. Airspeed should be no more than 250 knots. Don't think there is enough tail wind to give a ground speed that high at only 10,000 feet.

[nicmarlo]

now saying 261 knots, but same altitude

[LikeLight]

247

[LikeLight]

233

[BulletBobCo]

That sounds better.

[myprecious]

Can't some Freeper sit out by the runway and give us a play-by-play from their laptop? This is just nerve wracking!

[nicmarlo]

however, on the link that fullwave provided, it is given yet another speed: 228 kts Altitude: 4,100

[LikeLight]

228 . . . but probably on the ground now real time, based on the last flight . . .

[nicmarlo]

according to flight tracker, this: In air at an altitude of 6600 feet and ground speed of 200 KTS

[BulletBobCo]

Switched on FOX from watching the History Channel. Looks like this flight is a non-event. Not a peep out of them.

[nicmarlo]

Ground Spd: 209 kts Altitude: 2,900

[nicmarlo]

wish they could!

[nicmarlo]

191 kts Altitude: 1,900

[bootless]

Oh, I didn't realize that. My dad flew for UAL, and had a certificate full of type ratings.

OTOH, I think Southwest, and lately, Jet Blue, have the right idea in sticking to a single type of aircraft. Fewer maintenance costs, and the training is more streamlined as well.

[nicmarlo]

149 kts Altitude: 1,100

[bcoffey]

Can't some Freeper sit out by the runway and give us a play-by-play from their laptop? This is just nerve wracking!

I used to live within 10 miles of Dulles. If I were still there, you bet I'd be nosing around! :)