Tragedy of Flight 103: The Inside Story

Col. Wood:
Now, what are the aims of the terrorist? Any ideas?

Col. Wood:
Well, yes. But, as Mao Tse Tung said, "Kill one, scare a thousand."

Col. Wood:
I purchased all these items quite openly from the duty-free. In the right hands, they could blow a 747 out of the air. Now, watch carefully...

Ulrich Weber:
Koch, you typed up that agenda for tomorrow's meeting?

Oliver Koch:
Yes, I'm just doing it. Ulli?

Ulrich Weber:
Hm?

Oliver Koch:
I noticed there's nothing in here about security.

Ulrich Weber:
It's an administrative session!

Oliver Koch:
Well, I was just thinking about that warning we got a couple of weeks back.

Ulrich Weber:
What are you talking about?

Oliver Koch:
Well, you know, that... they picked up that cell and terrorist setup in Neuss. Something about bombs in tape recorders.

Ulrich Weber:
And you expect us to do anything special with that one?

Oliver Koch:
I recommend it should be on today's agenda.

Ulrich Weber:
You are going beyond your competence, Koch! This is not in your job description!

Oliver Koch:
I recommend that we take the batteries off of every single radio cassette player, we find, okay?

Ulrich Weber:
We tell our people "loose on the passenger's private property" and they smash half the things they touch. We'd go to the limit with baggage claims.

Oliver Koch:
Ulli, it's the only way to ensure...

Ulrich Weber:
We'd be the only airline in the world going that would go to these lengths! Do you think our passengers would be willing to check in four hours before the flight? Or they're not going to complain 'cause we couldn't match a piece of luggage with the traveller? All these people want is to get home on time!

Ulrich Weber:
Oliver, you've got to lighten up, pal. It's almost Christmas. All is said and done. Air travel is still safer than crossing the road.

Capt. Jim McQuarrie:
Good evening, Scottish.

ATC Alan Topp:
Uh, this is Scottish. Ident, please.

Capt. Jim McQuarrie:
This is Clipper 103, requesting oceanic clearance.

ATC Alan Topp:
Clipper 103, good evening. Uh, for identification, squawk 0357 with ident please.

ATC Alan Topp:
Clipper 103, route direct, 59 North 10 West to Kennedy. Maintain flight level 310.

ATC Alan Topp:
Clipper 103? Clipper 103?

ATC Alan Topp:
I've got multiple returns. It's showing five returns! They're funneling out downwind. Clipper 103, this is Scottish? Come in! Clipper 103? I've lost the Clipper!

Watch Controller Ford:
Shuttle reports an explosion on the ground.

ATC Alan Topp:
You're kidding! That must be the Clipper.