[Usagi_yo]

I believe the story is apocryphal. It’s hard to imagine that on the whole eastern seaboard not one Jet was scramble ready and armed.

I first thought the Jet may have been shot down, but they played it as the passengers were hero’s.

I don’t think that type of order can be given, more in the moral sense then legal and quite frankly if it was, they would have to hold a gun to their head — which would be pointless if you think about it.

Yes, heads should have rolled at Norad.

[pieceofthepuzzle]

“I believe the story is apocryphal. It’s hard to imagine that on the whole eastern seaboard not one Jet was scramble ready and armed.”

It is hard to believe. Maybe they did have air-to-air missiles, but these were judged not capable of bringing down a passenger plane that big? I have no idea what I'm talking about here, so go easy...

[Charles Martel]

I believe the story is apocryphal. It’s hard to imagine that on the whole eastern seaboard not one Jet was scramble ready and armed.

I believe the two F-15As that scrambled from Cape Cod were armed. Still damned shameful.

[DoughtyOne]

Except if the Clinton administration ordered Norad to downgrade our defenses. I’m not convinced they didn’t.

That administration was clueless on Military matters. Heck, a lot of others too.