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Man Who Stole Plane Near Seattle Raises Troubling Security Question

nytimes.com

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Re: Man Who Stole Plane Near Seattle Raises Troubling Security Question

#41

Post by duxup »

Someone1234 wrote: post #35
cgdcraig wrote: post #27

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It's not like the engine start procedure on one of those things is a turnkey solution. The amount of domain knowledge needed serves as a form of soft security.

So soft, you can find the QRH in both the cockpit and online[0]. Or more fun learn it in an accurate simulator e.g.: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J0Z1WFDz81k [0] https://flyuk.aero/assets/downloads/resources/checklists/UKV...

"DOCUMENTATION ..........................................ON BOARD"

Wait... isn't that what you'd be reading right there? Or is the documentation and checklist not the same thing?

Re: Man Who Stole Plane Near Seattle Raises Troubling Security Question

#42

Post by ianai »

Someone1234 wrote: post #35
cgdcraig wrote: post #27

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It's not like the engine start procedure on one of those things is a turnkey solution. The amount of domain knowledge needed serves as a form of soft security.

So soft, you can find the QRH in both the cockpit and online[0]. Or more fun learn it in an accurate simulator e.g.: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J0Z1WFDz81k [0] https://flyuk.aero/assets/downloads/resources/checklists/UKV...

I still don’t see the key as the problem here. The problem is society not talking to this individual earlier and trying to help.

Re: Man Who Stole Plane Near Seattle Raises Troubling Security Question

#43

Post by ReverseCold »

nsomaru wrote: post #29
geggam wrote: post #22

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Gravity has less of an impact on something already on the ground

Technically gravity has more of an impact on something already on the ground, r being smaller

I think he just means the object in the air has higher potential energy due to gravity.

Re: Man Who Stole Plane Near Seattle Raises Troubling Security Question

#44

Post by beenBoutIT »

It's really nice to see American Air Supremacy in response to a potential terrorist air threat. Neutralizing the stolen plane with a Sidewinder missile would have provided a slightly better show of force to would-be terrorists, but this was pretty good IMO. Our Air Force is more powerful than it's ever been, while our mental health system was better off back in the 1940s.

Re: Man Who Stole Plane Near Seattle Raises Troubling Security Question

#45

Post by adjagu »

gumby wrote: post #15

> "Mr. Russell...had worked his shift on Friday." So glad they told us this important fact. I wonder if his final direct deposit (to his estate) will include that days' pay or if it will count as a vacation day? Has the news always been this inane?

That sentence did stick out to me too. As abrupt and lacking further information as it was it did serve to notify us as to how he was able to be on the tarmac and gain access to the airplane. I do feel that the author could have expanded that thought a bit more.

Re: Man Who Stole Plane Near Seattle Raises Troubling Security Question

#46

Post by creato »

cm2187 wrote: post #36
JanSolo wrote: post #6

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Listen to the recording of ATC personnel talking to the rogue pilot. He's just a normal guy with a few screws loose. I think they correctly assessed this man to be non-threatening to ground targets. Now, if the guy was non-responsive or erratic or started making threats, I do expect that the F15s might have been used.

Do you trust your hijackers to announce their intention to run into a building? In fact if a 9/11 ever happens again, the hijackers will have a pretty hard job convincing the passengers this is not a suicide mission and they shouldn't rebel. I always thought that is what prevented another 9/11, not confiscating baby milk at airport security checks.

Listen to the ATC recording. It is obvious the guy was not an (intentional) threat and was apparently not near populated areas.

I actually found the ATC recording to be quite moving and very sad. It's frustrating to read comments here assuming he was not shot down because everyone involved was just gullible.

People entrusted to make good decisions did just that.

Re: Man Who Stole Plane Near Seattle Raises Troubling Security Question

#47

Post by mistersquid »

Two things really caught me about this story besides the security implication.

First, the skill Russell deployed from (only?) having used a PC flight simulator surprised me. If Russell in fact never had any flight experience outside a simulator, well, I'm just stunned at what he was capable of doing. (Linked in article, here for convenience.) [0]

Second, and more importantly, Russell's demise is tragic, pure and simple. He seems relatively smart, had loved ones who cared about him, and was well-liked and well-regarded by his peers and co-workers.

Yet, something was very broken for Russell.

I won't speculate about what may have caused Russell's despair, but I can't help but feel his demise could have been avoided. I wish this story had a different ending.

[0] https://twitter.com/CameronThomsen/status/102815764815856844...

EDIT: readability

Re: Man Who Stole Plane Near Seattle Raises Troubling Security Question

#50

Post by beenBoutIT »

ianai wrote: post #42
Someone1234 wrote: post #35

Earlier quoted context omitted.

So soft, you can find the QRH in both the cockpit and online[0]. Or more fun learn it in an accurate simulator e.g.: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J0Z1WFDz81k [0] https://flyuk.aero/assets/downloads/resources/checklists/UKV...

I still don’t see the key as the problem here. The problem is society not talking to this individual earlier and trying to help.

The problem was releasing all of the mental patients. https://www.nytimes.com/1984/10/30/science/how-release-of-me...
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