Perspective: long term questions

[russotto]

Originally posted by tw
We know that National is only reopening because of a self serving Congress. They simply say we will add security on all flights. For who? The public, or for a self serving Congress? No Air Marshall is going to stop a suicidal pilot - Clancy's book again. No ground based defense system can protect anything in Washington if National remains in operation. Aircraft of that size have no business so close to Washington DC. But maybe that is too much logic for a Congress so interested in their own convenience and personal safety?

To protect DC from aircraft which go over 500mph, you'd have to shut down National, Dulles, _and_ BWI, as well as most of the airspace around the entire area. Otherwise, your future terrorist just picks a flight that will go close by. Closing National would be a futile gesture.

I can drive from Dulles to BWI in less 60 minutes, barring traffic. Airliners can go 10 times faster and can take a straight line path. You do the math.