WTF? FAA Reacted Slowly to Errant Jet

[Are_grits_groceries]

The Federal Aviation Administration violated its own rules by taking more than 40 minutes to alert the military after losing communication with a Northwest Airlines flight last week, according to officials familiar with internal reviews under way at several federal agencies.

The delay has sparked consternation within the military, concern within the FAA and special oversight by the White House, these officials said, particularly because such time lags were supposed to be eliminated as a result of the lessons learned from the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. In the event of a hijacking, the military would order fighters into the air to intercept an aircraft and possibly shoot it down.

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB125677288976914581.html?mod=WSJ_hpp_MIDDLTopStories

I wondered why they didn't have fighters already in the air. After 9/11,you think they wouldn't assume anything.

[backscatter712]

1. It might have been a fortunate fuckup.

Thankfully, this fuckup ended with the FAA reestablishing contact with the jet, getting the pilots to do turns to show they're in control of the aircraft, and finishing this incident with a safe landing.

If the FAA had followed the rules and called the military, there's the possibility that they would have shot this plane down.

[Are_grits_groceries]

3. That is true.

However. that is hindsight.

After 9/11 would you want to bet the farm on what is happening in a plane with no radio contact. At the least the fighters might have gotten a clue about what was going on.

[One_Life_To_Give]

2. Obviously Cheney ordered them to stand down

FWIW it seems to be human nature. In cases of doubt people are hesitant to escalate things. Particularly to outside agencies beyond their control.