Terrorism “dry runs” were revealed in a memo from a union representing US Airways pilots to test flight procedures to determine if a terrorist technique will be effective. The most recent dry run was in September.
“There have been several cases recently throughout the (airline) industry of what appear to be probes, or dry runs, to test our procedures and reaction to an in-flight threat,” reads a US Airlines Pilots Association memo obtained by WTSP-TV in Florida.
The memo states that the most recent dry run was Sept. 2 on Flight 1880, which left Reagan National Airport near Washington, D.C., to Orlando, Fla.
It said that shortly after takeoff, several “Middle Eastern men” caused a ruckus.
One of the men ran from his seat to the door and ran into the bathroom “for a considerable length of time.” The other men then walked around the cabin, changed seats, and opened overhead bins. They were apparently trying to distract flight attendants.
The incident was confirmed by the Transportation Security Administration with WTSP but would not elaborate on whether it was a dry run.
A dry run is usually carried out in the initial stages of planning a terrorist attack. In 2006, it was reported that several men were arrested to testing if they could smuggle materials aboard a plane. The plan involved igniting a chemical solution with a camera flash.
Wolf Koch, the Aviation Security Committee Chairman for the Air Line Pilots Association International, told WTSP that “what most security experts will tell you that if a dry-run is occurring, the attack will shortly follow.”
He added that the Sept. 11 terrorist incident was “an incredible attack on us. It was very well orchestrated and they’re going to try it again... 100%, no question in my mind. They’re going to try it again.”
