U.S. Monitors Security for NFL Playoffs (Then, why did I see a plane flying over the Ravens game?)

WASHINGTON (AP) - Authorities were concerned with terrorism threats in the air and on the ground Saturday. The British government delayed a London-to-Washington flight for three hours and U.S. officials monitored heavily secured stadiums hosting the first round of football playoffs.

British Airways (BAB) 223, the most scrutinized flight since the United States declared a high terrorism alert Dec. 21, lifted off from Heathrow Airport just after 1 p.m. EST after intensive security checks.

The plane had the all-clear earlier from Britain's Transport Department. The subsequent checks added to the misery of passengers on a flight also detained in Washington on Wednesday and canceled Thursday and Friday.

The British government has declined to provide details of its security concerns about the flight. The department said it took action Saturday following discussions "with a variety of sources," including U.S. authorities.

A British Airways morning flight to Washington D.C. left on schedule at 5:55 a.m. EST Saturday.

Other routes under scrutiny during the code orange alert in the United States were London-Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and Mexico City-Los Angeles.

The United States is working closely with other countries to lessen the threat of terrorism on international flights.

South Korea's national police agency, responding to American requests for international cooperation, said it would have armed officers on individual U.S.-bound flights if warranted, based on information about a terrorist threat to any specific flight.

Homeland Security Department spokesman Brian Roehrkasse said Saturday that authorities have been discussing security with the National Football League and the National Collegiate Athletic Association during the playoff and college bowl season.

NFL playoff games Saturday were in Baltimore and Charlotte, N.C., with contests Sunday in Green Bay, Wis., and Indianapolis. There were weekend bowl games in Boise, Idaho, and New Orleans.

NFL spokesman Joe Browne said security has been tight since the Sept. 11 attacks, and air space over stadiums is restricted by federal legislation.

He said security for the Super Bowl, Feb. 1 in Houston, would be even more intense because of the international attention the event receives.

"The number one concern our fans have is the air space," he said. Spectators are less concerned about stadium security because "they see our tightened measures as they enter the gates and the parking lots."

I was at the Ravens-Titans playoff game today and noticed in the first half that a small propeller plane about 3,000 to 4,000 feet high. It flew over the stadium a few times. If the stadiums are supposed to be no-fly zones, why was this plane able to fly over at least a few times?

I know its probably nothing, but God forbid the plane was dispersing Antrax. Did anyone else go to the Ravens game and notice that plane? Maybe the plane was given permission, but if it wasn't I would hope its being checked out.

Rank	Location	Receipts	Donors/Avg	Freepers/Avg	Monthlies
2	Texas	550.00	18	30.56	1,607	0.34	748.00	52

If the stadiums are supposed to be no-fly zones, why was this plane able to fly over at least a few times?

BOO!

I read your post three times, just to be sure.

"Restricted" does not mean "no airplanes".

Ummmm.......BOO!

Sorry you were so worried about the plane you saw.

I bet you missed a couple of good plays.

Did you bring your tin foil hat?

LVM

You answered your own question if it was "about 3,000 to 4,000 feet high" -
"Since September 2001, various Notices to Airmen issued by the Federal Aviation Administration (with input from the Transportation Security Administration) have restricted most aircraft operations within 3 nautical miles of, and 3000 feet above, major professional and collegiate sporting events. " http://www.d-1a.com/Pages/current_archive.phtml?art=5

ALSO:
http://www.nappf.com/NOTAM.html
According to friends at the EAA, you still won't be able to fly within 3 miles, below 3000 feet, of the following:
1) NFL football games
2) Major League Baseball games
3) major motor speedway events
4) Division 1-A college football venues with 30,000 or more seats (apparently, without regard to how many seats are filled)
You will be banned from those areas from one hour before The Star Spangled Banner, until one hour after the event is finished. It's even likely that the Flight Service Stations will be aware of these prohibited events.
If you're going to need a waiver, the forms are available online (link below). The FAA will also list the events you mustn't overfly.
Even with a waiver, only technical crew will be allowed aboard the aircraft. Local law enforcement will, for the time being, do its best to verify crew credentials, on a random basis. Fingerprinting, DNA profiling, and retinal scans may still be a way down the road...
FMI: www.faa.gov/ats/ata/waiver
For the WHOLE story, go to http://www.aero-news.net/news/sport.cfm?ContentBlockID=5846

AND:
http://tfr.faa.gov/TFR/jsp/tfrmap.jsp?&lcenters=on&ims_service=tfr_conus&action=cntr&zCntr=ZDC
http://www2.faa.gov/NTAP/NTAP03DEC25/Index.htm

I suspect that the bad guys would not choose to go after a sports event when there are alternatives that, for the same cost, will do a thousand times more damage with a thousand times less risk.

Our only hope is that any terrorists out there are as stupid and unimaginative as the politicians.

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