Cargo sparks security alert at US and UK airports

Scuzi said:
It's actually standard procedure for airborne security threats. If intelligence comes through that the aircraft is intended to explode over a large conurbation for example, it can be taken down in a remote, unpopulated area or out over the sea. What if the package in the hold was able to be activated by a passenger? Or someone one the ground with an ADS-B receiver?
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I know.

You don't need to shoot it down, instruct the pilot to go elsewhere. If he doesn't or clear evidence of an imminent threat does emerge, then by all means go airborne.

I can't see such detailed information coming through, not in this case. They had a 'potentially sinister' consignment, and the planes were following it to its original destination as I understand it.

It seems very superflous to me.

After the confusion and conflicting statements, I don't think its anything like a bomb. The intelligence passed along must have been to that effect, it couldn't be anything else given the haphazard dealing with it today (tested three times, police packing up then coming back etc).

It's a show. A pretence.
 
The escort is also an instant information source for the higher powers. They know exactly what is happening with instant up to date information relayed from the escort. Also, in the event of one of the packages exploding, the escort could provide assistance to the aircraft in the form of damage assessment and provide information as to a likely point of impact on the ground for the authorities to prepare.

Maybe there's a bit of old fashioned military posturing involved there too but there are many good reasons for having a fighter escort.
 
Scuzi said:
Maybe there's a bit of old fashioned military posturing involved there too but there are many good reasons for having a fighter escort.
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Not really. More like a total overreaction that is so prevalent in our world today. 10 years ago you could throw eggs at someone and run away. Today they'd get the police chopper out along with 50 squad cars and come after you.

A lot of posturing and BS. It is no accident when looking at the announcement made 2 days ago and this sudden 'situation'.
 
Look out for one or two more 'situations' the coming weeks/months and perhaps even a plane being blown up. Can't curtail 'security' now, no sir. More security goooood. More freedom and less fear baaaaad.
 
They repeated this on the BBC news this morning:

President Barack Obama has said initial examinations of two suspicious packages bound for the US show they appeared to have contained explosive materials.

He said the packages, found in the UK and Dubai on two overnight cargo planes from Yemen, were destined for Jewish places of worship in Chicago.
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Source
 
Scuzi said:
The escort is also an instant information source for the higher powers. They know exactly what is happening with instant up to date information relayed from the escort. Also, in the event of one of the packages exploding, the escort could provide assistance to the aircraft in the form of damage assessment and provide information as to a likely point of impact on the ground for the authorities to prepare.

Maybe there's a bit of old fashioned military posturing involved there too but there are many good reasons for having a fighter escort.
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That source of information can come from radar and radio communications I would have thought. Why TWO F-15's, why not just one? etc

"the escort could provide assistance to the aircraft in the form of damage assessment and provide information as to a likely point of impact on the ground for the authorities to prepare"

True, a point that I missed. However, given the context of the information at the time I still think it nothing more than military posturing and trying to appeal to the American public.

Remember the tanks at Heathrow vs an alledged al-qaeda rpg terrorist?
 
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The UK wants to abandon unnecessary US security checks at airports; 2 days later, explosives destined for America are discovered passing through a British terminal.

*Raised eyebrow* Hmmm...
 
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