We are now into the fourth week of a 24/7 muddle of four facts and infinite speculation. Let me express my sympathy for all the family and friends who are directly effected by this terrifying mystery. But, for some people, watching this endless drama has been truly rewarding.
As I have wandered through this world, I have known those who describe themselves as students in the University of the Streets. They would watch TV shows like, IT TAKES A THIEF, MACGYVER, or BURN NOTICE, as if they were Audio/Visual aids for their Survival 104 course. Now, we may have learned nothing, but if I were a terrorist...I would be taking notes.
What have the bad guys learned?
!. It is possible to make a huge plane full of people simply disappear. For a couple of weeks, at least.
2. The ubiquitous array of satellites and military and civilian radars can be avoided.
3. Macy's doesn't tell Gimbels. Thailand doesn't tell China. Pakistan doesn't tell India. Bangladesh and Burma would never admit they don't have the money for the latest equipment to really prove they saw anything.
4. Cutting off oxygen to the cabin at high altitude, while wearing an oxygen mask oneself will kill everyone pretty quickly.
5. Have to learn how to turn off that maintenance ping and we can be completely a phantom.
6. With all the countries that would applaud our efforts, we need to find only one place to land.
If AQ's major thrust is to bankrupt the Western Hegemony, this is another hit. It costs a fortune in money, time and aggravation. It instills another layer of fear in all travelers. It would be another "victory" for AQ if they had a hand in this. They seem to have long term goals and patience. And, death by a hundred cuts is a quite painful torture to endure on your way out. (BTW, since we know nothing, we do not know if this is a test run by international terrorists...or, not).
6:15 AM PT: Excuse me...MH370