[Consort]

Can NORAD patch into the Air Traffic Controller radars? Did the scrambled fighters have orders to shoot. Weren't skyjackings treated as hostage/terrorist situations and not suicide missions?

[Defender2]

NORAD(I used to work for NORAD/ADCOM) used to have their own radars scanning all over the U.S. and outward from the U.S.. They would randomly check air tracks at all times. Anything that could not be identified within a certain specified time frame would be turned over to the weapons
controllers. they would vector interceptors to the suspect
tracks. Emergency aircraft and airliners off course would
be monitored also so if they turned out to be "Wolf in Sheeps Clothing"!!!!