Since the White House was warned of a possible attempt to hijack a U.S. plane for the purpose of bargaining with the government for the sheikh’s release, it might have seemed appropriate to take appropriate precautions.
Even if those in the White House thought that there was merely the possibility of attack outside U.S. borders, domestic safety measures could have been placed upon high alert, simply as a precautionary exercise. This would not have alarmed anyone and might have prevented the disaster.
As it happened, on September 11, 2001, American Airlines Flight 11 stopped transmitting signals at 8:20 a.m. and crashed into the World Trade Center at 8:45 a.m. – 25 minutes later.
A primary U.S. air defense system, NORAD, was not notified by the FAA until 8:40 a.m. - 20 minutes after the lack of transmission – but responded quickly and fighter planes were in the air within 12 minutes – at 8:52 a.m. - seven minutes too late.
To read the NORAD Press Relase of September 2001, citing response times, please click: http://www.norad.mil/presrelNORADTimelines.htm
Even if those in the White House thought that there was merely the possibility of attack outside U.S. borders, domestic safety measures could have been placed upon high alert, simply as a precautionary exercise. This would not have alarmed anyone and might have prevented the disaster.
As it happened, on September 11, 2001, American Airlines Flight 11 stopped transmitting signals at 8:20 a.m. and crashed into the World Trade Center at 8:45 a.m. – 25 minutes later.
A primary U.S. air defense system, NORAD, was not notified by the FAA until 8:40 a.m. - 20 minutes after the lack of transmission – but responded quickly and fighter planes were in the air within 12 minutes – at 8:52 a.m. - seven minutes too late.
To read the NORAD Press Relase of September 2001, citing response times, please click: http://www.norad.mil/presrelNORADTimelines.htm