WP: Passenger Lists Sought For Flights Over U.S.

[kskiska]

Thursday, April 21, 2005; Page A01

The U.S. government plans to force foreign airlines flying over American soil to turn over the names of passengers on board or check the names against U.S. government watch lists in an effort to prevent terrorists from entering U.S. airspace.

Under current rules, overseas carriers are required to provide passenger manifests to U.S. officials within 15 minutes of takeoff if they are to land in the United States, according to the Transportation Security Administration.

Officials have been concerned that terrorists may try to hijack a plane over the United States and crash it into a building, as occurred on Sept. 11, 2001. Officials acknowledge, however, that no credible intelligence exists indicating such a plot.

"We are currently considering a measure that would require foreign carriers to vet their passenger manifests against the 'no-fly' list and 'selectee' lists on overflights," said TSA spokeswoman Yolanda Clark. The no-fly list is a secret list of thousands of names of known or suspected terrorists who may pose a threat to U.S. aviation. The selectee list contains the names of individuals who are not known terrorists but present a possible threat to the airplane.

more…
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A6015-2005Apr20.html

[question everything]

1. As with KLM last week, on its way to Mexico

It could have - I think - fly over the ocean parallel to the coast. Would have been cheaper and less time and returning back to Amsterdam. That is, if the airlines is secure in its own checkup and thinks that the U.S. has no business requiring lists of passengers