Scully Posted August 5, 2014 Report Share Posted August 5, 2014 Just watched the news on which a passenger jet was shadowed by an 'fully armed' RAF fighter plane following an alleged bomb threat. Fair enough, but what was the role of the fighter plane? Was it there to ensure the passenger plane didn't detour from its flight, and if it suddenly did, was its intention to shoot down the jet? I don't know how these things work, but its the only conclusion I can come to, or am I missing something? If so, what justification could the government have for causing so much death and mayhem to civilians both in the air and on the ground if indeed the intention was to shoot down the plane? It's not as if the fighter plane could have forced the passenger plane over the sea before shooting it down to minimise casualties. I understand that without the fighter there, the plane could simply have detoured to central London or perhaps the palace or Houses of Parliament, but if that was the intention and the threat was genuine I doubt the bombs presence would have been made known until it was too late or it would have been on a London bound flight. Genuine question as I really would like to know. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KFC Posted August 5, 2014 Report Share Posted August 5, 2014 The fighter plane would have all options open and having a chase plane on station would give immediate accounts of the intentions of the airliner. Depending on the situation it would also give the crew opportunities to pass visual clues as to what was happening on board. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rich1984 Posted August 5, 2014 Report Share Posted August 5, 2014 just a presence or a little intimidation perhaps ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
parapilot Posted August 5, 2014 Report Share Posted August 5, 2014 Visual deterrent, gather info, and if they decided to do a 9/11 or head to London then yes, the option to shoot it down is there. I'd hate to make that decision, kids etc on the plane but it may take out hundreds / thousands on the ground , so that decision may have to be made. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paddywack12 Posted August 5, 2014 Report Share Posted August 5, 2014 (edited) Looks like it was all a hoax, but the richard head responsible needs the book throwing at him edited for swear filter Edited August 5, 2014 by paddywack12 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nobbyathome Posted August 5, 2014 Report Share Posted August 5, 2014 i would say it was there to see exactly what was going on and yes if needed shoot it down to save life on the ground harsh but justified Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kdubya Posted August 5, 2014 Report Share Posted August 5, 2014 if it looked like it was going to be used to commit an act of terror the plane would be shot down simple as that. KW Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnFreeman1310 Posted August 5, 2014 Report Share Posted August 5, 2014 It's not a reasuring thought for the jet pilot tho I'm sure yes he may save those on the ground but will also kill all the innocents on the plane ect. John Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scully Posted August 5, 2014 Author Report Share Posted August 5, 2014 i would say it was there to see exactly what was going on and yes if needed shoot it down to save life on the ground harsh but justified That's what I can't fathom out though. The casualties on the ground could be higher than those on board the plane. A helluva decision to have to make. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul223 Posted August 5, 2014 Report Share Posted August 5, 2014 I've been in the airport collecting the MIL today, luckily her plane had just landed before this unfolded with other planes being diverted to Leeds (I think?) was quite unnerving walking out to the car with the fighter jet in the air and no other planes in sight, case of time to get out of here! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
figgy Posted August 6, 2014 Report Share Posted August 6, 2014 The plane if it was going to be used as a large missile should be shot down, the greater good and all that. It's made the BBC Breakfast News this morning with footage of the shadowing plane off the wing. Figgy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matty7247 Posted August 6, 2014 Report Share Posted August 6, 2014 The guy who made the hoax should be made to pay for thr cos of the jet in flight, works out roughly as £35.000 an hour. Might make others looking for headlines think again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sha Bu Le Posted August 6, 2014 Report Share Posted August 6, 2014 The guy who made the hoax should be made to pay for thr cos of the jet in flight, works out roughly as £35.000 an hour. Might make others looking for headlines think again. The idiot who started the whole thing is looking at some serious jail time, (unless of course he's a suitable case for treatment) as I type, on the news he has just been sectioned under the mental health act. Should kept in for a long long time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Davyo Posted August 6, 2014 Report Share Posted August 6, 2014 The idiot on board shouldnt be jailed(tax payers money) he should be put in an old plane on a dissused airfield with a bomb strapped to him and made to detonate it himself.Or just put him on another flyt but throw him out at 20,000ft. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
100milesaway Posted August 6, 2014 Report Share Posted August 6, 2014 I'm not too sure of how seriously they took this threat, surely it should have been diverted to a military or much less busy airport.,not our second largest in the country. but what do I know. from Auntie. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sha Bu Le Posted August 6, 2014 Report Share Posted August 6, 2014 The idiot on board shouldn't be jailed(tax payers money) he should be put in an old plane on a disused airfield with a bomb strapped to him and made to detonate it himself. Or just put him on another flyt but throw him out at 20,000ft. An extreme idea Davyo unfortunately it would probably be a violation of his human rights. What the punishment may have been is now academic as he's been sectioned under the nutcase regs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sha Bu Le Posted August 6, 2014 Report Share Posted August 6, 2014 I'm not too sure of how seriously they took this threat, surely it should have been diverted to a military or much less busy airport.,not our second largest in the country. but what do I know. from Auntie. Yes Auntie I thought it a little odd too, if memory serves don't they have quarantine area at Stansted for handling such events. Would have thought the plane should have been diverted there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
100milesaway Posted August 6, 2014 Report Share Posted August 6, 2014 Yes Auntie I thought it a little odd too, if memory serves don't they have quarantine area at Stansted for handling such events. Would have thought the plane should have been diverted there. Yes SBL, I'm sure your right about Stanstead , so as the fighter had been escorting the airline for 40 mins, i think it was sussed what was happening early doors, otherwise it could easily have diverted to Stanstead. from Auntie. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kyska Posted August 6, 2014 Report Share Posted August 6, 2014 I'm not too sure of how seriously they took this threat, surely it should have been diverted to a military or much less busy airport.,not our second largest in the country. but what do I know. from Auntie. Contrary to that I would of thought the most important thing was to get the aircraft on terra firma asap. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kdubya Posted August 6, 2014 Report Share Posted August 6, 2014 (edited) why allow a plane that is a threat to fly close to the capital,? get it past and out of the way and shoot it down there if you have to,after all the north is a barren wasteland with large desolate area's is it not? KW Edited August 6, 2014 by kdubya Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
parapilot Posted August 6, 2014 Report Share Posted August 6, 2014 He may have demanded to go to manchester!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scully Posted August 6, 2014 Author Report Share Posted August 6, 2014 He may have demanded to go to manchester!! Probably, hence the 'sectioning'. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kdubya Posted August 6, 2014 Report Share Posted August 6, 2014 He may have demanded to go to manchester!! it was going there in the first place so that one is out, prob just a pee head with a couple to many KW Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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