Terror plot cancels BA flights [Pilots blame US conspiracy]

The Observer [UK] ^ | February 1, 2004 | Mark Townsend and Jason Burke

[aculeus]

[old stuff snipped] One industry source said: 'There is a widespread and deep-held concern among British pilots that America is using these intelligence reports for its own commercial ends, maybe to even protect the very survival of its airlines.'

The British Air Line Pilots Association believes the US is using Flight 223 as a political pawn, repeatedly delaying it because of BA 's reluctance to allow sky marshals on to its aircraft. 'There is suspicion the Americans are using the situation for more than security reasons,' said a Balpa spokesman.

British officials refused to comment on the nature of the threat. However, there are suggestions in intelligence circles that the flight could be seized by suicide hijackers for an attack on the American capital. Officials openly acknowledge that the principal roles played by the US and Britain in the war on terrorism makes a BA flight between the capitals a potently symbolic scalp.

A BA spokesman yesterday admitted the threat had to be taken 'seriously'. Even so, following the cancellations of flights from France to America over Christmas, French intelligence sources say the 'threat assessment' behind the security measures was 'profoundly flawed'.

BA, which operates three flights a day from Heathrow to Washington, said the passengers whose journeys were hit by the cancellations would be offered other flights or fare refunds.

[aculeus]

Note to self: Don't fly with BA. Their pilots are nitwits.

[Nagilum]

I've only flown with BA twice. Once had a horrible experience, once had a very good one.

Bottom line, any plane entering a sovereign nation has the right to be told by that nation the conditions upon which it may enter. Period.

If another country demanded that we do something on our planes entering their country, we may not like it, but we'd have to honor it. They should honor this request, especially in light of the 9.11 attacks.

[livius]

Raving lunatics might be more like it.

They couldn't seriously think something so nonsensical - er, could they?

[etcetera]

"The British Air Line Pilots Association believes the US is using Flight 223 as a political pawn, repeatedly delaying it because of BA 's reluctance to allow sky marshals on to its aircraft."

The BA pilots said they'd rather cancel the flight than have armed marshals aboard. They got their wish.

[SheLion]

Note to self: Don't fly with BA. Their pilots are nitwits.

Yes! But think of the money these airlines are losing with all the canceled flights!

[Zipporah]

Maybe they might be concerned after the testimony of Kay saying that our intelligence is faulty? Maybe that is why?

[wretchard]

If British Airways doesn't want skymarshals, they should be asked to sign an acceptance of liability for any destruction that may be caused by a hijacking, up to including compensation for victims. If BA jet is crashed into a Bowl Game, it should come to about 20 or 30 billion dollars.

[jimbo123]

Here's the scheduled flight arrival times for the cancelled flights:

BA 207 2:25 pm arrive at Miami
CO 17 3:00 pm arrive at Newark
CO 17 5:30 pm depart from Newark to LA (2nd leg)
BA 233 6:20 pm arrive at Dulles
AF 026 6:30 pm arrive at Dulles


If BA 207 didn't make it to Miami, then we'd have advance warning about the other flights that are already in the air and they could have fighter escorts for CO 18, BA 233 and AF 026.

Notice the 10 minute difference in arrivals between BA 233 and AF 026.

BA 207 could be a diversion with the real plot being:

2nd leg of CO 17 depart Newark at 5:30p to hit NYC
BA 233 at Dulles at 6:20p
AF 026 at Dulles at 6:30p

All three flights operating within a 1 hour window.

Superbowl at 6:00 pm ET

[dc-zoo]

BA = Bastard Airlines

[PokeyJoe]

BA = Broken Airplanes

[wretchard]

Makes you wonder doesn't it? The Al Qaeda are monomanaically addicted to killing. They have a fixed idea.