Cannon Fodder - yes or no.?

Question

We've all heard the stories about Homeland Security putting forth a scenario where an Air Force figher jet could be dispatched to shoot down an airliner that is perceived to be a threat.

But is it also true that they wanted remotely activated explosives placed on passenger aircraft so that if an airliner became a threat they could bring it down by the mere act of pushing a button?

Or is something put forward by the conspiracy theorists?

It sounds a little farfetched to me.

Answer 1

No, there was NEVER any consideration given to what you state.  The plan to shoot down commercial passenger aircraft alone was not easily hit upon.  (I wouldn't want to be the crew on alert given that intercept.)  Given the over 3000 commercial aircraft in the air over the US at any one time, how is one going to design a fail safe trigger that ONLY detonates that aircraft?  You've also solved a good part of the hijacker's dilemma:  how to get explosives in sufficient strength to down an aircraft onboard without detection.

Answer 2

Conspiracy theorists at work.  There is too much risk in putting explosives on a plane- think of the public reaction if something was to detonate unintentionally.  This is doubly unnecessary since a fighter could take down most any passenger aircraft within just a few minutes of it being identified as a risk, nearly anywhere in the country.

Answer 3

not worthy of my reply

Answer 4

Sure they could shoot a plan down if they had time.

Not going to stick bombs on airplanes with remote control... that is just silly.

Answer 5

Most US airlines now use the CLC force. It's a top-secret force highly trained combat leprechaun commandos.

They camp out in a small room under the cockpit, and if the plane is threatened by terrorists, they pop out, and take down the intruders.

When they're done they sprinkle mushroom dust in the cabin to make everyone forget the incident.

Often they forcibly interrogate any survivors before the airplane lands, and gain fabulous anti-terrorist intelligence.

Nancy Pelosi found out about the forcible interrogation and wanted to shut the program down because "terrorists were uncomfortable." When Bush found out about her opposition he sent the CLC to her house where they successfully "talked some sense into her."