Troops at LHR
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The security troops at LHR have been available to be there for years and years and years. They have turned out many, many times. Sometimes it is an exercise other times because of a terrorist threat.
Troops and police are available, if, as and when they are required at all major UK airports.
Because of the tense times we are going through the media have given this turn out at LHR their full attention, at other times it has been completely ignored. I don't think there are any grounds for a conspiracy theory.
Troops and police are available, if, as and when they are required at all major UK airports.
Because of the tense times we are going through the media have given this turn out at LHR their full attention, at other times it has been completely ignored. I don't think there are any grounds for a conspiracy theory.
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suppose, the authorities recieve information that LHR is to be subject to a threat, this is backed up through various sources they have,
they have 2 options, do nothing or do something,
if they do nothing and nothing happens, all well and good,
if they do nothing and something happens, they end up in the brown smelly stuff.
if they do something to try to prevent or deter the threat, they end up with loads of critisism, the services get enough grief as it is.
bearing in mind that they state they have a specific threat/information regarding heathrow, im sure if they had the same for any other airport they would do the same.
they have 2 options, do nothing or do something,
if they do nothing and nothing happens, all well and good,
if they do nothing and something happens, they end up in the brown smelly stuff.
if they do something to try to prevent or deter the threat, they end up with loads of critisism, the services get enough grief as it is.
bearing in mind that they state they have a specific threat/information regarding heathrow, im sure if they had the same for any other airport they would do the same.
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Funny how Powell states that this tape is definately bin laden, and links him to Saddam. In the past its been - "It might be him, but it might not, as we think he's dead".
Now as soon as it appears to link him to Iraq it is him for sure.
BlueEagle - there may well be troops at airfields reguarly, but where I live (M25, directly under all DVR / DET departures), the number of police around has to be seen to be believed.
Now as soon as it appears to link him to Iraq it is him for sure.
BlueEagle - there may well be troops at airfields reguarly, but where I live (M25, directly under all DVR / DET departures), the number of police around has to be seen to be believed.
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Well when the world is on the brink of something big like sorting out some of the crazies in the world, lets organise a big walk!!
You should be getting behind your prime minister who is showing some balls!! Going for a walk and pretending the problems of the world will go away is sheer stupidity at best!!
And no I'm not an American.
You should be getting behind your prime minister who is showing some balls!! Going for a walk and pretending the problems of the world will go away is sheer stupidity at best!!
And no I'm not an American.
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Covert operations are fine up to a point, but you need real fire power if it becomes necessary to take out a vehicle rapidly.
Two squaddies in plain clothes driving a hire car cannot provide this. The presence of armoured cars with the bits sticking out would seem to be required.
If only they had been there when the IRA fired their mortars!
Two squaddies in plain clothes driving a hire car cannot provide this. The presence of armoured cars with the bits sticking out would seem to be required.
If only they had been there when the IRA fired their mortars!
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noidea, you really do have no idea don't you:
"You should be getting behind your prime minister who is showing some balls!! Going for a walk and pretending the problems of the world will go away is sheer stupidity at best!!"
..or just an attempt to show the prime minister that some are apposed to his ideas of war, a free entitlement to do so.
"You should be getting behind your prime minister who is showing some balls!! Going for a walk and pretending the problems of the world will go away is sheer stupidity at best!!"
..or just an attempt to show the prime minister that some are apposed to his ideas of war, a free entitlement to do so.
There has been permanent armed police in the terminal at Luton for months now. They also occasionally man a checkpoint in the tunnel on the approach road but never during their lunch hour when they all stop for tea!
I'm not pro-labour, and definitely not pro-war, but on this particular issue, I think the government and the b'crats have got it about right.
Doing nothing would be plain stupid, both politically and ethically.
This is low-key compared to the US security activities, and so I dont believe Blair is trying to whip-up sympathy for a war.
What concerns me is that if there is a determined plan to launch and hand-launched SAM at any UK airport, or perhaps a transit-van bomb in the City of London, then these security measures will not stop it. I dont think it could be stopped.
I'm a PPL, not commercial.
I would not want to be on on-board a US or BA logo plane on Friday or Saturday.
For any of you guys that are rostered out of LHR Friday or Saturday, arent you considering not flying???
Doing nothing would be plain stupid, both politically and ethically.
This is low-key compared to the US security activities, and so I dont believe Blair is trying to whip-up sympathy for a war.
What concerns me is that if there is a determined plan to launch and hand-launched SAM at any UK airport, or perhaps a transit-van bomb in the City of London, then these security measures will not stop it. I dont think it could be stopped.
I'm a PPL, not commercial.
I would not want to be on on-board a US or BA logo plane on Friday or Saturday.
For any of you guys that are rostered out of LHR Friday or Saturday, arent you considering not flying???
Increased Security at LHR - should it close??
No, I'm not saying there is rumour to close the aiport, but want to see/hear it discussed.
The recent and highly visible security around LHR and other airports is very concerning, whatever your viewpoint on the potential war.
I'm not pro-labour, and definitely not pro-war, but on this particular issue, I think the government and the b'crats have got it about right.
Doing nothing would be plain stupid, both politically and ethically.
But is the government acting on hard facts?
It certainly HAS told us that it will not tell us.
What concerns me is that if there is a determined plan to launch a hand-launched SAM at any UK airport, then these security measures are very unlikey to stop it.
I'm a PPL, not commercial, but I would not want to be on on-board a US carrier or BA plane on Friday or Saturday.
For any of you guys that are rostered out of LHR Friday or Saturday, arent you considering not flying???
Should the airport be closed?
Look at it this way.
Severe weather is a known hazard, and occasionally airports are shut or flights delayed or cancelled to reduce the risk.
So should not the Aviation Authorities CAA/BAA be pushing incredibly hard to ascertain the facts here??
The recent and highly visible security around LHR and other airports is very concerning, whatever your viewpoint on the potential war.
I'm not pro-labour, and definitely not pro-war, but on this particular issue, I think the government and the b'crats have got it about right.
Doing nothing would be plain stupid, both politically and ethically.
But is the government acting on hard facts?
It certainly HAS told us that it will not tell us.
What concerns me is that if there is a determined plan to launch a hand-launched SAM at any UK airport, then these security measures are very unlikey to stop it.
I'm a PPL, not commercial, but I would not want to be on on-board a US carrier or BA plane on Friday or Saturday.
For any of you guys that are rostered out of LHR Friday or Saturday, arent you considering not flying???
Should the airport be closed?
Look at it this way.
Severe weather is a known hazard, and occasionally airports are shut or flights delayed or cancelled to reduce the risk.
So should not the Aviation Authorities CAA/BAA be pushing incredibly hard to ascertain the facts here??
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Personally, I believe it's something of an incredible coincidence that the major security alert comes just days before a major anti-war demo in London. This is more likely to be Senator Blair of the 51st State's attempt to say "Look, guys, this is how bad it is. So that's why we need to bomb Iraq, OK?"
Besides which, if we close Heathrow, the terrorists have won. QED
Besides which, if we close Heathrow, the terrorists have won. QED
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Is war coming??
Deploying troops to close Airports smacks of Martial Law. There is nothing to do with the Anti War demonstration, but the Islamic Festival that is coming to an end this weekend.
I am not frightened to fly this weekend, and in fact, hopefully my flight to New York will be half empty. I am not going to let anyone else tell me whether I will be able to fly or not.
I would like to see or hear about the threat that has caused all of this over-reaction. Am I the only one who is curious about this??
I am not frightened to fly this weekend, and in fact, hopefully my flight to New York will be half empty. I am not going to let anyone else tell me whether I will be able to fly or not.
I would like to see or hear about the threat that has caused all of this over-reaction. Am I the only one who is curious about this??
if we close Heathrow, the terrorists have won
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MILITARY JETS OVER LONDON
BREAKING NEWS...
News at 1100z just states a military fighter and a Nimrod has been patrolling the skies over London this morning.
Coupled this is similar to yesterday afternoons situation over Washington DC where everyone and everything is on a high scale of alert.
WHAT EXACTLY IS THE THREAT?
UK Government & PM has yet made no official statement on the type of threat and what EXACTLY is supposed to be happening.
All we hear about is the possbility of an aircraft being shot down.
NO, Airports should not close. No-way.
That would cause pandamonium and countless problems and too much economic damage nobody needs right now.
Reassuring the public,travellers and staff alike is the right thing to do and it seems to be working. We dont want people being afraid to fly. We dont need anymore deterrants to fly.
News at 1100z just states a military fighter and a Nimrod has been patrolling the skies over London this morning.
Coupled this is similar to yesterday afternoons situation over Washington DC where everyone and everything is on a high scale of alert.
WHAT EXACTLY IS THE THREAT?
UK Government & PM has yet made no official statement on the type of threat and what EXACTLY is supposed to be happening.
All we hear about is the possbility of an aircraft being shot down.
NO, Airports should not close. No-way.
That would cause pandamonium and countless problems and too much economic damage nobody needs right now.
Reassuring the public,travellers and staff alike is the right thing to do and it seems to be working. We dont want people being afraid to fly. We dont need anymore deterrants to fly.
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Join Date: Sep 2002
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3 points (you may not agree)
1) I agree with 5milesbaby in that people are entitled to be opposed to the war. But on the other hand i garantee that 90% of those going on the march in London on Saturday would not be able to give a realistic and effective alternative to solving the Iraq crisis without war. War is not the perfect senerio (what is) but what else can be done? The West could carry on with the inspections and talks but no dout the issue of non cooperation from Iraq and possible war will crop up again in a year or two.
2) The idea that the milatary being at Heathrow is to sway the public into supporting Blair in a war in Iraq is not thought out and well pretty stupid. It costs so much money to keep the milatary at the airport especially with tanks, plus it will discourage people coming to England. If the goverment just wanted to frighten the public into thinking we are under threat it would be far easier and cheaper to produce leaflets on terror threats, or do what America
is and advise us to stock up on emergancy rations.
3) I can understand extra sercurity, ie more police/soldiers looking for suspect packages and searching cars etc, but why tanks and heavy machine guns? What are they expecting, an artilary invasion of heathrow or somthing?
2) The idea that the milatary being at Heathrow is to sway the public into supporting Blair in a war in Iraq is not thought out and well pretty stupid. It costs so much money to keep the milatary at the airport especially with tanks, plus it will discourage people coming to England. If the goverment just wanted to frighten the public into thinking we are under threat it would be far easier and cheaper to produce leaflets on terror threats, or do what America
is and advise us to stock up on emergancy rations.
3) I can understand extra sercurity, ie more police/soldiers looking for suspect packages and searching cars etc, but why tanks and heavy machine guns? What are they expecting, an artilary invasion of heathrow or somthing?
Last edited by tom_higginson; 13th Feb 2003 at 14:57.