Welcome to prison.

[Lonewolf]

Of all the stupid things to do, no sympathy at all I'm afraid.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vzn56ieOvbE

[PCPeteUK]

no sympathy either - pity about the computer generated voice over though that can be a bit funny at times...

[Zebedee]

Ya that voice done me ed in

[Kwikasfuki]

The planes flew right over where I work. Quite a show.

[100milesaway]

So what was the purpose of the RAF jet "escorting" the plane into MIA ?.

[viper]

So what was the purpose of the RAF jet "escorting" the plane into MIA ?.

it had a weapons system on board so ultimately it would shoot the Plane down IF the plane became a larger threat to the public. moreover , Its standard protocol for " terrorist" situations and serves as a confidence booster for the passengers, and the airport staff and the service staff who have to deal with the plane once its down.

[Burchy]

You honestly think someone in Whitehall would have the balls to call in an air to air strike to kill a few hundred passengers on board?  Over a major city?

Not in a hundred years

[doebag]

So what was the purpose of the RAF jet "escorting" the plane into MIA ?.

Post 9/11 it would be better to have a commercial airliner in a million pieces in open land than in a city centre.

Malaysian Airlines in open farmland or United Airlines in Lower Manhattan ?

Have to say, I hope the RAF have some good counselling in place for the pilot who does have to press the button.

[Lonewolf]

So what was the purpose of the RAF jet "escorting" the plane into MIA ?.

As has been said Geoff, quite simply, if the situation dictated, shoot it down.

[100milesaway]

As has been said Geoff, quite simply, if the situation dictated, shoot it down.

What over Manchester?.  Why was the plane not diverted to a military airfield, instead of  allowing it to continue to the second? biggest airport in Britain?, which is located very close to one of the most densely populated areas in the country.

Furthermore, I cannot believe that there could be any situation in this country that would justify the shooting down of a passenger aircraft with 300 people onboard.

[PCPeteUK]

Let me say at the outset - I don't want it but personally I believe it is only a matter of time before we have our own 9/11 or Mumbai style terrorist attack on a major UK hotel complex.

Someone in authority will have the unenviable job of calling for the button to be pressed - rather them than me but it may have to be done.

[doebag]

I assume Manchester is the designayed airport for the north of England.
Just about any problem  / suspect plane in the south of England is diverted to Stansted, where they have remote aircraft stands and the local police etc have SOP's for this type of thing.
Manchester does suprise me if it is, there are surely more remote airports that could be used.
There are not lot of military airbases left with adequate size runways and taxiways for very large commercial a/c.

[doebag]

Let me say at the outset - I don't want it but personally I believe it is only a matter of time before we have our own 9/11 or Mumbai style terrorist attack on a major UK hotel complex.

Someone in authority will have the unenviable job of calling for the button to be pressed - rather them than me but it may have to be done.

Indeed, 7/7 could potentially have been a lot worse/larger.

[O.C.]

The authorities are obviously in a position where they are 'damned if they do and damned if they don't''

[Lonewolf]

Furthermore, I cannot believe that there could be any situation in this country that would justify the shooting down of a passenger aircraft with 300 people onboard.

Ok, you keep believing that if it makes you feel better.