CNN Breaking News: FAA restricts Manhattan flight path

[Patsy Stone]

Breaking: FAA bans low altitude flights along New York's East River in the wake of crash that killed Yankess pitcher Cory Lidle.

FAA restricts Manhattan flight path
POSTED: 6:49 p.m. EDT, October 13, 2006

http://www.cnn.com/2006/TRAVEL/10/13/faa.plane.crash.ap/index.html

NEW YORK (AP) -- Fixed-wing planes have been banned from the East River corridor in New York unless the pilot is in contact with air traffic control, the Federal Aviation Administration said Friday.

The announcement comes two days after after a plane carrying New York Yankees pitcher Cory Lidle above the East River slammed into a skyscraper.

The general aviation corridors around Manhattan have been "the Wild West," said Rep. Anthony Weiner, D-New York. He and Sen. Charles Schumer had recommended that anyone flying near the island should be under the supervision of air traffic controllers, especially in the post-September 11 era.

"A smart terrorist could load up a small, little plane with biological, chemical or even nuclear material and fly up the Hudson or East rivers, no questions asked," said Schumer, D-New York. "I hope this will be a wake-up call to the FAA to re-examine flight patterns, which, amazingly enough, they haven't done since 9/11."

[C_U_L8R]

1. How about the Hudson?

We have low flying BIG jets coming over us all day and night.

[Patsy Stone]

Dupe n/t

[Patsy Stone]

6. I was wondering that myself.

I don't know whether or not it has anything to do with the UN being on the East River, but it would seem that either side of the island could be vulnerable.

This appears to be just for "low-altitude" flights of smaller planes, not jets. Although, I guess this means that jets landing at La Guardia could be affected by new restrictions?

[Golden Raisin]

9. Uh, yeah. Thank you!

I live right on the Hudson. There are also a tremendous amount of helicopters, in addition to the big jets on established flight paths heading to and from JFK & La Guardia, as well as small privates & corporate jets going into or out of Teterboro (just across the Hudson in New Jersey) or en route upriver to Westchester Airport. From a "terror" standpoint New York City has unique security challenges/problems which, frankly, are almost insurmountable both on and underground and in our airspace. Hell, someone could load up an innocuous goddamn row boat with something biological and wreak utter havoc.

[texasleo]

2. talk about waiting until tragedy strikes

[Gormy Cuss]

3. Horse has escaped, time to close the barn door.

SOP for our crack air security agencies.

[SoCalDem]

4. well.. we all knew that was coming..

:eyes:

[Renew Deal]

5. Mike Bloomberg made a good point.

We don't ban cars and driving every time there is an accident.

[texasleo]

7. "that's pre-911 talk"

[Deb]

8. Sen. Schumer talked about this 2 yrs ago -

When the FAA deemed even stricter rules appropriate for the Republican Convention.

http://www.senate.gov/~schumer/SchumerWebsite/pressroom/press_releases/2004/PR02765.FAANYC071704.html

[Ksec]

10. Im just amazed that they were allowed to do that at all since 911

I mean anyone could get a small plane and load it with 200 lbs of TNT and then do whatever. What the heck is that about?

[Patsy Stone]

11. All you need to know is that you're only allowed 3 oz. of shampoo

Of course, if you combine that with everyone else's 3 ozs...that's a lot of gels and liquids. ???

[951-Riverside]

14. *chuckles* n/t

[951-Riverside]

12. More government BS

How the hell is changing the flight path going to prevent some depressed, suicidal maniac from plowing his or her plane into a building in New York?

[blonndee]

13. Wouldn't greater security at these small airports be

a better, more practical solution? Maybe in addition to this, I mean. If someone wants to load up a plane with *whatever*, seems like "restrictions" wouldn't do much to stop them if they were really determined.

[Patsy Stone]

16. Exactly.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=102&topic_id=2561292&mesg_id=2561590

[Beetwasher]

15. Wow! That Was Quick!!! Way To Go Guys!!!

Only 5 years after 9/11 and five buildings hit by planes later! Just like the Flash!!! :eyes: