Quote:
Originally posted by sycamore
... And is the area around the Pentagon not restricted airspace? (Not being sarcastic...I am unfamiliar with just what is and is not restricted airspace in DC.) ...
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According to my Washington maps, there are only two areas restricted in Washinton DC. A circle in the NW corner (is that the Naval Observatory?) and a patch from Union train station across to the Lincoln and Jefferson Memorials (that covers the White House, Capitol, and Foggy Bottom). The Potomac is not restricted and one commerical flight path passes directly over the Pentagon. Nothing outside of Washington DC limits is restricted. About half of Washington is not restricted.
In reality, there is really very little in NYC that is not redundant elsewhere. Even much of Washington is not a good target. However the Capitol and White House are too small, too easily located, and too important - ideal targets.
Part of the reason why Washington was so slow to respond to airliner attacks - no one (of significance) even believed or wanted to believe Clancy's scenario of a 747 crashing into the Capitol. Even just months eariler, a wild passenger tried to bash his way into the cockpit. He was only stopped when a large number of passengers joined the melee to attack the wild passenger. I believe it took six passengers plus flight crew to defend the cockpit. Even then, the 'Powers that Be' refused to address airline flight crews continued demands for better security - after how many Congressional hearings? IOW we needed this WTC attack to break complacency at the highest levels of government. Even now, those same complacent ones are still considering opening National for limited flights.
BTW keep in mind what Mary Scifone(?), the FAA's own Inspector General said about FAA mentalities after the TWA800 explosion. Her words (and also those of the NTSB) accused FAA of a graveyard mentality. Look what it takes to face reality after how many flight crews were attacked by unrully (unarmed, non-terrorist) passengers. Clancy's book alone should have been enough warning. The FAA and Congress did nothing. Even one Newark gate attendent is paralyzed and his attacker was declared innocent. How many graves were necessary to finally address even restricted airspace or even felony sentences for unrully passengers?
Look at how many flights Newark alone handles with two (too close) runways. Dullles could easily accomadate the increased traffic. BWI is vastly under utilitized. I sat on a bike trail in Linthicum watching. BWI is almost an unused airport by comparision. It needs more gates. It has plenty of room for expansion.
What would be the compromise on National? Congressman would be allowed private flights from National. Screw that. They should have to drive out to Dulles like everyone else. Just guess what state will suddenly get new funding for bigger highways westbound.
If you did not notice, many US cities received Aegis frigates or destroyers, or had Patriot batteries setup. You should start hearing about aircraft missile defense systems setup in the Washington DC area in the near future (I wonder where) - with Patriot sized missiles capable of taking a wing off or splitting the cabine of a 747. NYC may get one battery in NJ's Atlantic Highlands. The point is that a city like Washington requires a 5 minute warning for defensive decisions and responses. Currently the Air Force is notified within two minutes of any flight anomolies. Future responses should means no airliners over Washington and a new defense system (old technology) to provide a 'last point of defense' system.
BTW, current air defense over the White House cannot take out any airliner. They only installed defenses for aircraft that had already crashed on White House grounds - nothing for anything of larger size - again complacency.
In the meantime, restricted airspace should include all of and outside of Washington including VA, the CIA, Pentagon, and halfway to Dulles. Restricted airspace means only high security aircraft such as military and even then only with specific security restricitions. There was really no reason for airliners to be over any part of Washington. Presently most of Washington and nothing in adjacent MD or VA is restricted airspace.
As for NYC, my maps show no restricted airspace other than those conditions associated with Airport Control perimeters and minimum altitudes. Ironically, there are more restrictions on airspace well out into the Atlantic where Military Operations Areas are closed during military training. Maybe some NYC airspace restrictions will also be applied.
The second airliner that hit the WTC flew down from NY State, over western North Jersey, to McGuire AFB before turning to hit the WTC. He turned directly over F-16s that were never scrambled to defend NYC. Instead, fighters from Cape Cod were trying to defend the WTC. Indeed the Strategic Air Command (or equivalent) will take on a new mission and will reassess their anemic response so that 5 minutes should be sufficient response time.
Basically, the only reason that the military had any response at all was fighters waiting for a bomber attack incoming from the Atlantic. In hindsight, I don't think those Cape Cod fighters had authority to shoot down the second airliner even if they had arrived two minutes earlier. Again, there was no planning for domestic air terrorism. I don't believe anyone in the Air Force had enough balls to order missiles into that second 767 with only 30 seconds to make the decision. They did not have authority to make such as decision. But then we will never know since I am sure no one wants to talk.