Fighter Escorts

[NathanL100 0]

A jumbo jet that was being escorted by two fighter jets just passed over my house fairly low (15,000 feet eprox.). Has anyone else seen things like this? I don't know if seeing this makes me feel safer or more concerned.
Did I Hear Someone Say BEER??
Nathan

[Michele 1]

Hi, Nathan
That is happening all over. The diverted commerical flights - those made to land in areas which are far from their destination - were allowed to continue on their way to their original destinations. No new flights, and no "local" flights (I think I heard anything you can drive to within 8 hours) and no international flights are being allowed to take off. And only those carrying passengers are allowed to fly, not cargo.
I have no information about fighter jets other than high level gubmint folk. Perhaps one of our military guys could fill us in, or one of the pilots?
As to how high they are flying, I couldn't tell you. I live near an airport, and when a jet flew over, I was startled and a tad concerned....but it is what's happening.
I never thought I would miss the rumble of take-off and landings. Until yesterday, that is.
Ciels-
Michele
"What of the dreams that never die? Turn to your left at the end of the sky".
~e e cummings~

[FallinWoman 1]

My guess as to the altitude is that since there is little other air traffic, there is no need to go all the way up to 30 or 35 grand. Does that make sense?

[NathanL100 0]

Quote

(I think I heard anything you can drive to within 8 hours) and no international flights are being allowed to take off. And only those carrying passengers are allowed to fly, not cargo.

My mom is stuck in Boston and my sister is stuck in France. I'm really worried about them getting onto planes.
Wow did you hear on the News (CNN)!!!! They are evacuating the Empire State building!!! What the hell is going on??
Did I Hear Someone Say BEER??
Nathan

[Macaulay 0]

I wonder if the people on board realise that the "escorts" are actually there to shoot the plane down in the event it is hijacked? It's probably a good deterrent right now.
- Macaulay

[Michele 1]

Yeah, Nathan.
A bomb sniffing dog hit on a package at the Emipre State Building. Evacuations are taking place, the Bomb Squad is there, and there is massive police response. This has been "confirmed" on several stations.
However, in trying to not panic, there are two scenarios which I think are likely:
1) the dog is tired, and made a mistake
2) there are overreactions to suspicious packages.
In the event it is a real bomb, it could be a copycat....someone who decided yesterday was fun, and wants to get some attention. Or it could be a second wave of attacks.
I hope it is a tired dog.
(And yes, Mac, that is the reason some flights are being escorted. However, not every flight is, and I wonder about that.)
Ciels-
Michele
"What of the dreams that never die? Turn to your left at the end of the sky".
~e e cummings~

[Michele 1]

Quote

However, in trying to not panic, there are two scenarios which I think
are likely:
1) the dog is tired, and made a mistake
2) there are overreactions to suspicious packages.

The dog was tired. The building was cleared, and no bomb found. Thank god.
Ciels-
M
"What of the dreams that never die? Turn to your left at the end of the sky".
~e e cummings~

[NathanL100 0]

Quote

the dog is tired, and made a mistake

I can't imagine what it would be like to be a cadaver dog or a bomb sniffing dog!!! I wonder if the dogs realize what a terrible, but important job they have?
Did I Hear Someone Say BEER??
Nathan

[FallingMarc 0]

I can't see why they would be flying that low. Jets fly up at high altitudes because that's where a turbine engine is most efficient.
Maybe they were descending, approaching their destination? 15,000 is pretty low for a jumbo jet to cruise...
Always speculating,
Marc

[lazerq3 0]

From what I've seen on TV shows about training dogs for bombs ,drugs ,or what ever its more like a game to them! I mean thats how it shows them training. If they find what there looking for they get a treat and or get to paly a tug game wo\ith the trainer. I'm sure the trainer is taking everything very seriously but to the dog its just another day of hide and seek.
jason

[FallinWoman 1]

Hey Marc, I don't know anything about planes (except how to throw myself out of them) How much extra fuel does it take to get up to 30 grand or more versus how much fuel do they save cruising at a higher altitude??

[FallinWoman 1]

If I am being stupid because I really don't know about plane, someone please set me straight. I realize that I am ignorant about some things!!

[Aviatrr 0]

Quote

A jumbo jet that was being escorted by two fighter jets just passed over my house fairly low (15,000 feet eprox.). Has anyone else seen things like this?

Don't worry - it was likely a standard intercept and identify mission.. It's more a show of force rather than actually to identify the aircraft - the controllers already know who it is.. It's a deterrent.. As for the altitude....if they were really that low(large jets often look lower than they really are), they were in the intial climb or the final descent.. Jet engines are extremely inefficient at low altitudes, and do not normally operate there for long periods..
Mike

[FallingMarc 0]

I know turbines run more efficiently at higher altitudes to the extent that if they're flying farther than a few hundred miles, it's cheaper to climb to above a certain altitude. I'm not sure exactly how high it is. And, for shorter distances, it's cheaper to fly piston engine aircraft.

[Aviatrr 0]

Quote

How much extra fuel does it take to get up to 30 grand or more versus how much fuel do they save cruising at a higher altitude??

That will depend on the type of aircraft.. For anything more than about a 100-150 mile flight, 15,000ft is WAY too low.. Jet engines are not very efficient at low altitudes.. A fuel burn at 15,000ft could easily be two to three times what it would be at 35,000ft - AND the airplane would be going slower at the lower altitude.. Most airliners cruise at FL310, FL330, FL350, FL370, FL390, and FL410.. FL means Flight Level, and add two zeros to the end of the FL to get the altitude(such as FL310=31,000ft).. These are typically the best altitudes for the fuel burn/speed combination.. The altitude used will depend on the length of the flight.. The higher you go, the less fuel a jet engine uses - but the less thrust it creates.. Climbing from Sea Level to FL310 could take 15 minutes, but climbing from FL310 to FL410 could take another 15-20 minutes due to lower thrust at higher altitudes, resulting in slower climb rates.. Clear as mud?!
Mike

[freeflir29 0]

On the dog subject, I have seen a lot of TV documentaries on disasters. They were showing the dogs in the Cali earthquakes. The handlers were talking about the stress the dogs were under. Trust me, those dogs don't like finding bodies. It stresses them out just as much as the handler. You know your pets get upset when you do. These dogs are probably as much or more in tune with their handler than your average house pet.
"We must kill them. We must exterminate them. Pig by Pig, Cow by Cow" -Apocolypse Now
Clay