General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: How the Bush Administration Covered Up the Saudi Connection to 9/11 [View all]LongTomH
(8,636 posts)Something that has bothered me - and a lot of people - since 9/11/2001: There is a standing order for the Air Force; if an airliner goes off its flight plan and doesn't respond to Air Traffic Control, fighters are to be scrambled to intercept. The fighter pilots are to make contact with the plane by radio, or by hand signals in case the radio is out and indicate that the pilot of the airliner is to follow the fighters to an emergency field.
If the crew of the airliner still does not respond: The fighters ARE AUTHORIZED TO SHOOT THE AIRLINER DOWN!
A few weeks ago, a general aviation plane went off course and didn't respond to Air Traffic Control. Fighters were scrambled to intercept. They made visual contact and determined that the windows were frosted over, indicating that the plane had lost pressurization. The fighters continued to track it out over the ocean.
Again, why weren't fighters dispatched for the 9/11 planes?