[jimbo123]

This was purely a surveillance mission and I would think they won't use 14 people for their eventual attack. They wanted to create a situation to see how American passengers and US security would react to:

14 noticeable suspects
2 groups of 7 men
1 suspect in first class near the cockpit
13 suspects spread out throughout the plane
All from Syria
One way tickets
Consecutive use of restrooms by the men

These men can report back that they were free to do what they wanted until after they landed and while the passengers were nervous, no one did anything.

They can also report back about their interrogation by the FAM, TSA and FBI.

This is not good.

[Labyrinthos]

I agree this was a surveilance mission, but I don't believe they were practicing to blow up a plane. The goal remains to take over a plane and kill thousands and not hundreds.

[Steve_Seattle]

I agree with you and the other posters who said they wouldn't waste 14 men on one mission and that this therefore has the appearance of a training or reconnaissance mission. Their openness suggests smugness and cockiness, the implication of which is that they think we're still too stupid and incompetent to stop them. And they're probably right.

[Netizen]

This was purely a surveillance mission and I would think they won't use 14 people for their eventual attack.

Could they have been training multiples teams?

[bereanway]

I agree with your #310. They could not have acted any more suspiciously. This was choreographed to test the waters. They will continue probing the system until they feel they understand the boundaries. Also, with time the boundaries will expand if no events occur.

I've read that OBL is fascinated with aircraft as they tend to be spectacular events and tend to have a very disruptive effect on the economy. Also, several months ago there were some articles here on FR about carrying C4 and other type explosives onboard in body orifices. There are so many ways to bring a plane down it would seem almost impossible to cover all the bases. It will eventually happen.

[mtbopfuyn]

These men can report back that they were free to do what they wanted until after they landed and while the passengers were nervous, no one did anything.

Exactly. What is sad is no one, NOT ONE, person did a thing. We did not learn a thing. Did Todd Beamer and the other 3000 die for nothing?