FAA notified New York PD this document shall not be released to public 1,000 people complete panic

[seemslikeadream]

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5jQCKDUYswf9K9lMjX4oxtDxHVqXQD97R45D80


The FAA notified the New York Police Department of the flyover, telling them photos of the Air Force One jet would be taken about 1,500 feet above the Statue of Liberty around 10 a.m. Monday. It had a classified footnote that said "information in this document shall not be released to the public or the media."



http://online.wsj.com/article/BT-CO-20090427-719030.html

(Updates with sources saying White House plans for a second photo shoot in Washington, D.C. being reconsidered)

A Boeing airplane escorted by a military jet flew low over Lower Manhattan on Monday, frightening office workers and spurring evacuations in what turned out to be a U.S. government-approved publicity operation.

The maneuvering of the 747, which circled around some skyscrapers, recalled memories of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, which resulted in the deaths of thousands after two hijacked commercial airplanes rammed into the World Trade Center. Onlookers and evacuated workers said they were incredulous that government agencies didn't issue an ...


http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5jQCKDUYswf9K9lMjX4oxtDxHVqXQD97R45D80


Jet flyover in lower Manhattan sets off panic
By ULA ILNYTZKY and SARA KUGLER – 23 minutes ago

NEW YORK (AP) — An airliner and supersonic fighter jet zoomed past the lower Manhattan skyline in a flash just as the work day was beginning Monday. Within minutes, startled financial workers streamed out of their offices, fearing a nightmarish replay of Sept. 11.

For a half-hour, the Boeing 747 and F-16 jet circled the Statue of Liberty and the lower Manhattan skyline near the World Trade Center site. Offices evacuated. Dispatchers were inundated with calls. Witnesses thought the planes were flying dangerously low.

But the flyover was nothing but a photo op, apparently one of a series of flights to get pictures of the plane in front of national landmarks.

It was carried out by the Defense Department with little warning, infuriating New York officials and putting the White House on the defense. Even Mayor Michael Bloomberg didn't know about it, and he later called it "insensitive" to fly so near the site of the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks.

The director of the White House military office, Louis Caldera, took the blame a few hours later. One of the planes was a 747 that is called Air Force One when used by the president.

"Last week, I approved a mission over New York. I take responsibility for that decision," Caldera said. "While federal authorities took the proper steps to notify state and local authorities in New York and New Jersey, it's clear that the mission created confusion and disruption. I apologize and take responsibility for any distress that flight caused."

[Captain Hilts]

1. Okay. Who told the FAA to not give a warning that 'sometime' AF1 would be in the area. nt

[seemslikeadream]

2. Air Force One photo op panics NYC - finger-pointing begins

http://features.csmonitor.com/politics/2009/04/27/air-force-one-photo-op-panics-nyc-finger-pointing-begins/


Panic

John Leitner, a floor trader at the New York Mercantile Exchange Building, told the Associated Press that about 1,000 people “went into a total panic” and ran out of the building around 10 a.m. after seeing the planes whiz by their building, near the World Trade Center site.

“Apparently, nobody in the building was informed that this was going to happen,” he said. “Everyone panicked, as you can certainly understand.”

It’s easy to understand why there would be panic. It’s astonishing that nobody thought the public ought to have a heads up.

[zeemike]

3. Now why would they want to keep that a secret?

It makes no sense at all.

[luvspeas]

4. It doesn't make sense...

One story on the 11 o'clock news the night before and a press release to the media, and this would have been one of those "I Love NY" experiences for everybody. Would it have spoiled things if people waived?