Replies

Did some checking on BA flight 223. It arrives in Dulles at 6:20 p.m. - long after dark. Seems unlikely they would try to pull a 9-11 style hijacking after dark? The capitol bldg is a nicely lit target. Maybe Islamists just going for a fireball over D.C at rush hour?

Obviously the U.S. got some info that they were targeting this particular flight. They just don't know which passengers are the terrorists. Kind of like the end of "Day of the Jackel".

If the article is true, they probably want an armed agent on board because this is the only quick way to take out a terrorist with a bomb. Knife wielders are no problem - even the passengers can take those guys down. Bombs are the Islamist MO. The hijackers on Flight 93 had them and probably blew up that plane when the passengers counter-attacked. We all know about Richard Reid.

Great circle routes from Heathrow to Wash. D.C. go almost directly over Boston and NYC. Not sure if they actually fly this route or come in more to the east, over the Atlantic. Presents several targets for another 9-11 style attack.