<p>The US Airlines Pilots Association memo says “there have been several cases recently throughout the (airline) industry of what appear to be probes, or dry runs, to test our procedures and reaction to an in-flight threat.”</p>
<p>The pilots say the most recent dry run occurred on Flight 1880 on Sept. 2. The flight left Reagan National Airport outside Washington, D.C., bound for Orlando. The memo says that shortly after takeoff a group of four “Middle Eastern” men caused a commotion.</p>
<p>Other reports claim 8 women dressed in burkas caused an inspection of the same flight 1880 on its return and tampering was discovered.</p>
<p>I saw that & the replies indicate that there *have *been dry runs.
And that the real thing apparently comes on the heels of the practice.
When a 9 yr old can apparently easily board a plane, you wonder just how many dry runs there have been.</p>
<p>This is the stuff of nightmares. But we all knew it would happen again, right? And we have all been so trained to be polite and not hurt anyone’s feelings.</p>
<p>Actual bombers or hijackers would not want to be obvious in a way that attracts prejudicial attention (e.g. women wearing a burka). Though perhaps the fact that they attract prejudicial attention could be used as a diversion so that the real bombers or hijackers could go unnoticed.</p>
<p>However, it is not obvious whether there was anything that unusual – lots of airline passengers have “lavatory emergencies” and rush to the lavatory as soon as the seat belt sign turns off. Perhaps the appearance of being “middle eastern” triggered some prejudicial instincts among the air crew? (But what does “middle eastern” actually [look</a> like](<a href=“http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Steve_Jobs_Headshot_2010-CROP.jpg]look”>File:Steve Jobs Headshot 2010-CROP.jpg - Wikipedia)?)</p>
<p>We were in the Barcelona airport this past summer and the security personnel were yelling at this woman behind me (in Spanish) to take off her jacket. She was trying to explain to them (in some other language) that it wasn’t a jacket, but her ankle length, long-sleeved button-front dress (which looked rather warm for the weather). </p>
<p>They were still arguing when I headed for the gate. Personally, I would have just smiled and taken it off. But then I’ve always been a bit of an exhibitionist :).</p>
<p>“Actual bombers or hijackers would not want to be obvious in a way that attracts prejudicial attention”</p>
<p>Probably. But they did not say these were actual bombers or hijackers, they just suspected people of doing a “dry run”. There were many dry runs done before 9/11. Mohammed Atta jumpseated around in an American Airlines pilots uniform, as just one small example.</p>
<p>Snopes says the jumpseat claim is undetermined whether it was true or not, and does not match the reconstructed movements of Atta prior to 9/11. They do reference this rumor in the 9/11 report and could not find any evidence it is true.</p>
<p>Just saying… don’t believe everything you read on the internet (except on CC, of course :)). Wonder if this would have received the same attention if they had not been Middle Eastern in appearance, too.</p>
<p>Well, I didn’t read it on the internet, intparent. I heard it happened at my airline also, which is not Delta. If you read the account of the Delta pilot, it is very believable, especially from where I’m sitting. The 9/11 commission saying that it couldn’t have happened because they reconstructed everywhere he had been for two years (yeah right, every minute), and that it’s so hard to get pilots credentials (easy to get a uniform and steal or forge an ID), is incredibly weak. Plus the fact that this wasn’t the method the hijackers eventually chose, as evidence that they didn’t try this? Weak. Snopes screwed up on this one. There is no way they can disprove the pilot’s account of this.</p>
<p>Really makes me question snopes credibility.</p>
<p>One thing people should consider, though, it is much more difficult getting into the cockpit after 9/11. Pilots are very paranoid now. Before, there was little concern (at least in the states), and not that much scrutiny. In fact, if there was an attempted hijacking, the emphasis was upon placating the hijackers and making sure nobody got hurt. Now, it’s fight to the death. Lethal force authorized. It is not unusual for a pilot to carry a gun, and there could be a number of deadheading pilots in the back, carrying a weapon. It would be very hard to get into the cockpit nowadays, especially if you’re a Middle Eastern male. For the most part, if there’s an extra seat in the back, that’s where jumpseating pilots go anyways.</p>
<p>“Of course, if a hijacker is banging on the door, couldn’t the pilot announce turbulence, light the seat belt sign, and make turbulence?”</p>
<p>Yes, but that is definitely a move of desperation. Banking and pulling G’s with passengers in the back can be very dangerous. Of course, if you felt you had to, it would be better than the alternative.</p>
<p>jym, I hope your detour to the pharmacy brought you home some Sudafed. I love the 12hour pills. Plus, I never fly without my little bottle of Afrin, nicknamed, 'The pilot’s friend." A couple of snorts of that up your nose, and you can fly when sick. Not smart, but sometimes you feel you have to fly…you don’t want an ear block or a sinus block, it can be incapacitating. If you have a really bad cold, I recommend it. You can get it at any pharmacy or at the airport and take it an hour or so before you fly. If you’re not so bad off, not necessary. I have flown (sadly) very sick, covered by Afrin and Sudafed before. It won’t cure you, of course, but will help you survive the flight!</p>
<p>Good thing you’re at the tail end of it. Hopefully the flying won’t make it worse. Sometimes I feel like I’m on the edge, fly, and get far sicker.</p>
<p>Doggies are great. Her injuries are minimal, and she is doing fine. I think the attack dog will definitely be in trouble, at least on the record, now that I filed the report. I’m sorry about your cavalier. I can’t even think about losing them, I don’t know how I could go on, but I realize they won’t live forever.</p>
<p>Yum, no burp fish oil. Well, I guess that’s better than the other stuff. Maybe you don’t need Afrin if you’re at the end of it, but keep it in mind in the future. It has saved me many times.</p>
![http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Steve_Jobs_Headshot_2010-CROP.jpg]look](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Steve_Jobs_Headshot_2010-CROP.jpg%5Dlook){kind=link}
