[MrsEmmaPeel]

The thing that gets me is the fact that there were 2 pilots on board -- a student and a full-fledged pilot. I still can't believe that the student didn't know better-- but IF you want to grant him that, why on earth did the pilot passenger think the route through DC was a cool thing to do?

What on earth were they smoking?

I simply have to believe they were testing the waters re: gathering information on how we respond to a terrorist threat.

[steve86]

why on earth did the pilot passenger think the route through DC was a cool thing to do?

I don't know. I haven't flown in ten years, but even without looking at fancy cockpit displays or NOTAMs I would know enough not to go near D.C.