Will Terrorists Strike Aviation Again?

[kevdog]

I wanted to hear what major airline pilots think about this matter. Has security changes changed the likelyhood of another terrorist attack via aviation, or will terrorists simply try other ways?

 

[Ty Webb]

Terrorists will try again, it is only a matter of time. It may or may not be al Quaeda, but there wil be more attempts, it's almost an historical certainty.

A few things have changed, though . . . no one will appease them. The passengers will be motivated to get involved, which will make it much more difficult. With new procedures, it will be much more difficult to gain access to the cockpit, where they may be met with a firearm, (if it happens in my cockpit, they will wish that it was only a firearm- but that's all I'm willing to say about that).

No, I think a more likely problem will revolve around explosives, or missiles used to bring an airliner down over a populated area.

As much as we all rip on the "Trying to Smell Alcohol" screeners, the best defense is a good offense, and I think that the Fed Gov't has done a good job so far of keeping them off balance enough that nothing has happened, yet. Hopefully, we will stay at least a half-step ahead of them.

SOme internet sources and foreign newspapers are saying that they are going to attempt something "major" in NYC on 2/2. Hopefully not, but "y'all be careful out there" . . . I know I will be.

 

[80drvr]

This topic has a high probability of exposing sensitive information in a public forum. Recommend any discussions along these lines be taken to a more secure site.

 

[Ty Webb]

I don't think anyone is stupid enough to discuss actual policies, procedures, or protocol, but your point is well taken.

 

[Gulfstream 200]

oh chhhhrist...

not the "dont talk about sensitive topics on our board" police again...

give it a rest please....

 

[Ty Webb]

Just what I would have expected from a guy flying a plane built by . . . . . the French!


Merd!

 

[737 Pylt]

I wanted to hear what major airline pilots think about this matter. Has security changes changed the likelyhood of another terrorist attack via aviation, or will terrorists simply try other ways?

This is JMHO, but I feel that the flying public is waaaaay to vigilant! (1)Look what happened to that poor bastard on that Southwest flight, they sufficated him! (2)The poor kid who thought the AA flight in to ORD was going to hit the Sears Tower, the pax on that plane subdued him. (3)Richard Reid is another.
I just think that the flying public is done taking crap. 9/11 has changed the way we travel forever.
Again, these are just my thoughts!

 

[pipejockey]

This topic has a high probability of exposing sensitive information in a public forum. Recommend any discussions along these lines be taken to a more secure site.

I wholeheartedly agree with you. But put on any of the news stations, not 5 minutes will go by without them carelessly disclosing weaknesses in aviation. The media are obnoxious and it amazes me that they are not muzzled a bit. It seems they will not be happy until they scare everyone into not flying. I don't think we will ever see a strong demand for air travel again like we did pre 9-11 until the media decides to talk about something else.

 

[skykid]

Aviation gives terrorists a big bang for the buck and they seem obsessed with this avenue. Like Ty said, just a matter of time. If you don't have a plan B career, or you are counting on airline stock, you are taking a big chance.

 

[General Lee]

I think it is getting tougher for them to try anything in the US or against US bound airliners. Even the shoulder fired rockets aren't really "bringing down" aircraft in Baghdad. I think they will try another avenue, like cruiseships---even though they are increasing security too.

Bye Bye--General Lee

 

[ferlo]

Terrorists are striking aviation every day.

Every day the Jonathan Ornstein and Dave Seigel show up to work is another score for terrorism.

 

[SuperFLUF]

Ornstien = terrorism & the coming of the anti-christ

Seigel = Incompetent boob.

 

[Dieterly]

I wanted to hear what major airline pilots think

Ty, this thread was not meant for you to answer, Valuejet/Airtran is NOT a major airline.

 

[Ty Webb]

Don't worry, Dieterly . . . looks like 2004 will be the year we pass $1 Bil. in revenue . . . . but Wall Street already considers us a "major". We are valued about the same as Continental right now.

 

[General Lee]

and about 1/4 the size.

 

[Ty Webb]

Right now, we are making money and the momentum is with us and Wall Street is responsive. It is a pleasant change, but I think anyone that has been around this industry knows, things have a way of changing, and none of really knows the future.

Like most people, I show up, do my trips, try to have fun doing it, and hope for the best (and plan for the worst). Few of us could have foreseen a time like these past few years. . . . and fewer know the future. Good luck to all.

 

[Phaedrus]

Ty,
A subdued, restrained, intelligent response. Good on ya. GL, no sniping allowed from Czech brothers...

 

[Ty Webb]

Who dug this old string up?

This thing is older than Jane Curtin's first training bra . . . .

 

[hawg2hawk]

Who dug this old string up?

This thing is older than Jane Curtin's first training bra . . . .

According to the site log, you did.

It showed you as the last poster (today) right before Phaedrus.

Gremlins, I guess.

 

[Ty Webb]

Gremlins? Like the AMC version? Pregnant rollerskate with denim seats?

Seriously, I didn't have anything to do with it. Maybe someone used the poll?

 

[hawg2hawk]

Gremlins? Like the AMC version? Pregnant rollerskate with denim seats?

Seriously, I didn't have anything to do with it. Maybe someone used the poll?

No idea, but your name was listed in the "last post" block with today's date. When I looked at the thread, it was your old post from 2004 though. Who knows.

There was just a Cathay Pacific thread listed at the top that is over a year old as well, so maybe they are having site problems.

 

[dtfl]

Back to the original topic - my $.02.
I have been to many tactics conferences with the reserves - MOF I finished another one today. It is scary how cheap manpads - shoulder fired missiles are. SCARY. Now...no factory in Russia or China will just SELL them - but on the black market - if you figure the factory price plus markup - they are still cheap.
If a hi0-bypass fan took a hit - it would puke out its insides and the plane should be ok...that DHL bird took a hit in the wing and lost hydraulics - because the old POS missile they shot missed the engine......but that means those POSs could hit us anywhere on our planes.
Anyway - I don't think they will hijack a US plane again. I think passengers will attack them with every available means..pens.....seat cushions as shields..throw the FAs at them (our Delta FAs make formidable weapons).etc.
What worries me is how EASY it would be to get a manpad into the country. Hell...how many times to rich guys with 40' fishing boats go out for a nighttime fishing trip - 30 miles off the coast? They then rz with a big boat out of Sout America, then cruise back in the next day with some tuna and 1000lbs of coke - that could easily be a missile. IMO. So I think no to hijacking - yes to other methods of attemtping to attack us.
My $.02. We need to watch everything! Heck - there was a pipe bomb set near an AF base I work out recently!!!!!! Methinks that wasn't even some middle east radical either!!!
Thoughts?
PS all this was read on unclass sites too.

 

[AcroChik]

Another Perspective

A fascinating Op Ed by mathematician, philosopher, investor, Nassim Taleb, that appeared in the NY Times on April 8, 2004.

Before you flame, Taleb's not a Musilm, nor is he particularly political. He's just a very intereting fellow who sees the world through an interesting lens.

http://www.fooledbyrandomness.com/nyt.htm

 

[oldxfr8dog]

skip it

 

[FN FAL]

This topic has a high probability of exposing sensitive information in a public forum. Recommend any discussions along these lines be taken to a more secure site.

Rodger tango zulu leader, this is tango zulu one, switching freaks. Not.

 

[ivauir]

The real threat is some mad man straping lazers to sharks heads ..... sharks with freaking LAZERS!

 

[SuperFLUF]

Or Sea Bass.

 

[F18-FDX]

And when exactly does the profiling start? I'm getting a little tired of the TSA spending my social security money to search my Grandma everytime she comes to visit...

 

[Frontier1]

I wanted to hear what major airline pilots think about this matter. Has security changes changed the likelyhood of another terrorist attack via aviation, or will terrorists simply try other ways?

All they have to do is put fear in your eyes. They already won. The industry was bound to hit the fan, but jesus, compare your job now compared to years ago. Who won?

 

[cl604driver]

I think it will happen again, but now we know what to do. Dont open the cockpit door. Do whatever it takes even if they kill everyone on board, but dont open the door and land the plane, and let the police do there job. I think the worst thing that congress ever did was to allow pilots to carry guns. You guys now have a steel reinforced door that cant be opened except from the inside only so why do you need a gun. I like guns and have a few myself but I am not going to go looking for a gun fight. If a terriost is on board with a gun well i am going to keep that door closed and land the plane. That is why we have police, swat, etc. I am a pilot not a marksman, sniper, etc. Chances are he is going to be waiting for so when you open the door. That is my thoughts.