News that Homeland Security would release a report on a June 2004 incident aboard Northwest Airlines Flight 327 has generated enormous interest among bloggers.
The release stems from a Freedom of Information request by The Washington Times in April 2006. The Times first reported in July 2004 that the incident was believed to be a "dry run," one of several meant to test airline security after the September 11 terrorist attacks.
As Scott Johnson recalls at Powerline, this incident was first reported by Annie Jacobsen.
Ed Morrissey at Captain's Quarters notes that Mrs. Jacobsen was "derided as a panic-stricken hysteric," and suggests: "It appears that a few people may owe Jacobsen an apology."
Little Green Footballs says the report "confirms our worst suspicions -- not only about terrorist plans for another 9/11, but about DHS's amazing incompetence, because the incident was not even filed with them until four days later."
AllahPundit at Hot Air notices a resemblance between the behavior of the Flight 327 passengers and the plot busted last year in Britain.
Patterico has written extensively about the event that sparked the book "Terror in the Skies."
Don Surber considers the report a "win" for Homeland Security.
-- Robert Stacy McCain, assistant national editor, The Washington Times
Comments (5)
I find it amazing in this day and age, that upon the first column Annie Jacobsen wrote on her flight,(and I read it immediately over 2 years ago) that some media branded her as a "panic stricken hysteric"
Kudos to her for having the guts to reveal their are many flaws in our Security and despite more fees being added to the price of an airline ticket to leave the USA, under the guise of more security being added, there is great laps still in security at airports and on airlines.
As a travel agent for more then 30 years, I remember security fees being added to international US airline tickets after the Pan AM incident over Scotland.
No one seems to have remembered that fact after September 11. Least of all our Federal Government who used this incident to add more security fees. Are these funds really ALL being used for airport and airline security?
Now we are too politically correct to point out people on planes that do not follow correct passenger procedures, as on Northwest 327. Instead passngers such as Annie Jacobsen were made to feel like foolish females.
Is our airline industry and Government EVER going to get the proper procedures to handling this, I don't think so.
I applaud Ms. Jacobsen for her refusal to back down on this stonewalling by the Government. I just wonder how many incidents like this have taken place. Most passengers or flight crews would not have the guts to plug away at this.
The facts are clear, though seem to be swept under the rug, our airport security and even the airlines themselves as revealed in the NW 327 incident still do NOT have their act together!
Posted by Beth Augerinos | May 29, 2007 8:02 PM
Was at the Minneapolis airport about 15 months after 9/11. One of just a few 'grandmother' types boarding the plane. They singled me out to thoroughly search, including shoes, carry on and purse, with a body pat down done also.
Also boarding the plane were a number of men in various type outfits, of various ages and they were of middle eastern appearance. None were singled out for searching.
As I was being searched, the people at the gate announced that they were running late, so let's board quickly, and that NO ID's or check of boarding passes would be made!
They held the plane to finish searching me and my belongings!
My hat is off to Ms Jacobsen!
Posted by Anne | May 30, 2007 4:27 PM
very interesting, but I don't agree with you
Posted by Idetrorce | December 15, 2007 8:40 AM
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Posted by Betty | January 23, 2008 9:47 AM
either, first, purchase such goods as are likely to be consumed by idle poor, in Burn's History of the Poor Laws.}. In 1688, Mr Gregory King, whose
Posted by Iris | January 24, 2008 4:28 PM