Sluggo_Monster

Ckret, Please don’t blow this off, I think it is important. We, (the public) obviously do not have all of the transcript of the conversation between the 305 flight crew and NW Flt-Ops. ATC, GC, etc. This is obvious from the missing page #s. From the transcript that we have, we see a request for two back-pack chutes only. What I’d like for you to confirm is whether or not Cooper requested the “front” chutes. It appears that he certainly did, because you have placed so much importance on his selection of the “good” chest chute to cut up for cord. But, ever seeking the facts, I have no evidence that he even wanted them. While I’m talking about this issue, let me give you some insight to the frustration of someone like me (who was aware of the hijacking in real-time, and has followed the story (closely) since about 1975 (pre-internet)). I want facts, not myths, but with gaps like the one previously mentioned, how can I separate the two? I have to ask myself, how much information is out there, being withheld (probably for “righteous” reasons) that would help me understand what actually happened? I don’t know if I have posted this before (I know I have mentioned it in PMs), but, I “fear the myth” so much that I have, intentionally never read any of the books about the hijacking, whether documentary or fiction. I wish I had never seen any of the TV programs and read few magazine/newspaper articles. Also, there have been a lot of LE records released recently and I am grateful for that. But, with the crime (and it was a crime) in its 37th year, is there a chance of more information being released to the public? Sluggo_Monster (getting ready for NASCAR) Web Page Blog NORJAK Forum

jumpin_Jan , According to the transcript (page 98 @6:21 PM PST) his request/demand was for ALL lights to be turned off in aircraft {Emphasis mine}. So, assuming they complied, they were off. Sluggo_Monster Web Page Blog NORJAK Forum

jumpin_Jan, You a Red Slelton fan, picked that up from someone else, or is it just a co-inky-dink? Sluggo_Monster Web Page Blog NORJAK Forum

Being an arch-whuffo, I'm a little (or a lot) confused about the reference to "both Chutes out". Somebody help me out here. Sluggo_Monster Web Page Blog NORJAK Forum

Ckret, I just spent about an hour composing a post in reply to #1126 stating in no uncertain terms how completely full of S++t your post was. Then, just before posting, I went back and re-read the post. Well, hmmm, could Sluggo ever make a mistake? No! My record of a flawless life is still intact (because I didn’t send it). What I discovered, was ,your use of the term “facts” made me perceive your post as bull-hockey. So, with your permission, I’m going to post what you are trying to say, but with a different emphasis. (Actually, I don’t have your permission, I was just being polite, and I’m 2300 miles away, so… there!)

Jo, The destination would be of less importance because he intended to jump. When told that the aircraft would not go to Mexico without refueling, he then requested Phoenix as a refueling point. Does that ring any bells? Sluggo_Monster Web Page Blog NORJAK Forum

Ckret, I'm calling you out on this one, name the four Low Altitude routes to get to Sacramento or Reno that existed on November 24, 1971. I can name 4 possible combinations; V-23, V-27, V4 and V25, and V4, v21, and V-23. The last two are ridiculous choices. Note: if you cite any three-digit airways, then show me a source that says that route(s) existed and were published (not approved) prior to 11/24/1971. Sluggo_Monster Web Page Blog NORJAK Forum

Safe...PLF, I love you man, but a question isn't a question if you already know the answer. He left behind the parachutes and the tie. The parachutes were given to him during the crime. The tie was his. He took the money, left the tie. Unless he was a waiter or a Law Enforcement official, it looks like a trophy exchange to me. Sluggo_Monster Web Page Blog NORJAK Forum

Albert18, Or, Canadian. All, We're having Tornadoes here (Birmingham, AL) today, so if I don't reply, I'm not ignoring you. Sluggo_Monster Web Page Blog NORJAK Forum

According to Pasternak: "Skyjacker at large A Florida widow thinks she has found him BY DOUGLAS PASTERNAK It was the day before Thanksgiving, Nov. 24, 1971. As Northwest Airlines Flight 305, from Portland, Ore., to Seattle, sped along the runway preparing for takeoff, the man in Seat 18C, wearing sunglasses and a dark suit, handed a flight attendant a note. It said he had a bomb and threatened to blow up the Boeing 727 unless he received $200,000 cash and four parachutes when the plane landed. The man in Seat 18C, purchased his ticket under the name "Dan Cooper."" I don't know how reliable this info is, so, I'm just throwing it out. BTW: I have made it a point to (purposfully) not read any of the books on Cooper. I feel that helps free me from "preconcieived notions". Sluggo_Monster Web Page Blog NORJAK Forum

Addendum to last: The cartoons in the 50s were more about conventional aircraft than space adventures. The only image I found was not very clear (I couldn't even tell what language it was). Sluggo Web Page Blog NORJAK Forum

All, Several of you have asked about the possibility of Cooper being Canadian. Also, there has bee a lot of discussion about the origin of the alias “Dan Cooper”. I think someone has been “holding out” on good ol’ Sluggo. Here’s a story: This morning I got a news alert about an article on an Italian publication called “Avion News” it was a terribly translated (Italian to English) article about the Amboy Chute. (It insists that the chute Cooper used was made of Steel not Silk, I love babble fish). The article (at http://www.avionews.com/index.php?corpo=see_news_home.php&news_id=1087954&pagina_chiamante=index.php) said: “So, the hunt's still going on. But there' a curiosity about name. Dan Cooper was the name of a toon created by Albert Weinberg, from Belgium, during the 50's. He was a Canadian airman, involved in many adventures regarding spying's cases and science fictions. His adventures were released on papaer called "Tintin". {Emphasis mine.} In Italy the stories have been translated and released on "Corriere dei piccoli" at the end of the 60's.” So I did a Google search on: "Albert Weinberg" Belgium Tintin "Dan Cooper" And found: Albert Weinberg (1922- ) began his comics career by working as an assistant to Victor Hubinon (Buck Danny) on a book devoted to the War in the Pacific ("Tarawa") and on the series Blondin & Cirage. From 1949 to 1956, he wrote and drew two space / science fiction series for "Heroic- Albums": Luc Condor and Roc Meteor. Weinberg joined the editorial team of "Tintin" in 1950, for which he created two science fiction series, the remarkable Alain Landier and Dan Cooper. Another character Weinberg created for "Tintin" was blonde tour guide Vicky in 1970. (Dan Cooper met Vicky in the spy-oriented "L'Affaire Minos" (#21) which took place in Athens. In 1971, Weinberg created Knut Andersen for "Pif" and soon after, Barracuda for the German magazine "Zack". If you go to : http://www.coolfrenchcomics.com/dancooper.htm You will find something interesting. (See attached cartoons.) Now, Weinberg is still alive (where? I don’t know), but maybe, just maybe, he had contact with a fanatical admirer in the late 50’s and 60’s. Sluggo_Monster Web Page Blog NORJAK Forum

1. If you are going toi exit the rear, why not sit at the rear? 2. Smoking section? ?. Boarded from the rear. (it is my understanding that the aft door had to be extended and locked for boarding, 377 can confirm). 4. There was a belief that the tail section most often survied in a crash and most survivors came from the tail section. (can't confirm). Sluggo Web Page Blog NORJAK Forum

Quade, My High-speed (yeah riiight) cable has been out for a little while, so I had some time to think about my flying experience(s) in the years between 1969 and 1971. After this post: I got a little angry, well maybe not angry, just miffed. I’m fixing dinner and saying to myself; “Who does he think he is, questioning the veracity of a statement made by Sluggo?” Then I thought about it, and I realize it doesn’t make much sense, but I’m not senile yet (my birthday is Saturday and I plan to get senile then), and I distinctly remember flying on planes with few passengers. In fact, I never had to sit next to a stranger, ever. Totally opposite from today. Then I thought about the circumstances, I was flying short hops (commuter flights). I did take one cross-country flight in ‘69 but the rest were Bay Area to Sou. Cal. And back. There were three airlines that I flew, (Hughes) Air West, something called PSA, and Air California. At both SFO and SJC, there were flights going to LAX and SNA that left each hour. Maybe Air West was on the hour, Air Cal on the half-hour, you get the picture. So going to Sou. Cal was like catching a bus. For the one longer flight I took SFO to ATL, I honestly don’t remember much about it, and certainly whether it was crowded or not. So, maybe I should have qualified my statement, stating that it was based on my experience flying commuter airlines in 1971. However, that is exactly the same kind of flight Cooper was on. SKYWHUFFO , Yes, they assigned seating back then much as today, except you had to specify smoking or non-smoking. (My mind is playing a scene from “Airplane” right now.

God! No wonder I feel so old today! da Slug Web Page Blog NORJAK Forum

I have no proof, just the memory of flying twice a week from The Bay Area to Orange County. Remember, I said all airlines had more routes than they needed. If they bought more aircraft, it was to run the routes not because they were full of passengers. More routes, more guv'ment $$$$. If the tickets don't pay for the gas, who cares? Uncle Sugar has the money. Then "Deregulation" came and the airlines became a private business instead of a public utility. My opinion, of course. Sluggo_Monster BTW: How old are you? BTW: In 1773 or 1974 (during the "oil crisis"}, I flew on a 727 from Ontario to SFO with a crew of 6 and 6 passengers. Would that happen today? (It's a true story, but a special case, don't take that too seriously.) Web Page Blog NORJAK Forum

Safe…PLF (You young whipper-snapper), He knew it wouldn’t be packed, because no plane was ever packed in 1971. The airlines were subsidized by the guv’ment and each airline had 10 times the routes they really needed. In fact, students flew at half-price (I think) and so did people who were traveling to a family member’s funeral or to be with them on their death-bed. Now, it may have been a little different on the Bos-Wash (Boston to Washington) corridor. I remember an Arlo Guthrie routine about a student being dogged by Ckret an FBI agent. The student gets on the plane so the FBI agent buys a ticket for the same flight and boards the plane, this causes the student to get “bumped” and the FBI agent takes a flight he doesn’t want. It was not at all unusual for a passenger to ask “What was the equipment?” Meaning what kind of plane will it be. Of course it was subject to change if you bought in advance. So, time of departure purchase would actually be the only way to “absolutely guarantee” that you got a B-727. Now days, if you go to an airline ticked counter just before a flight, ask what kind of plane it is, purchase a one-way ticket with cash, you will get pulled aside by TSA. Just like the Cooper Vane, DB is partially responsible for that profile being suspicious. Sluggo_Monster (Feeling very old right now) Web Page Blog NORJAK Forum

happythoughts, This is an example of why I am so curious about each poster's age and the way it molds their perceptions. I'm guessing you are in your early 30's. In 1971 there were no ATM, credit cards were rare (I goy my 1st in 1969), people used cash, and point of sale was most often point of purchase. He paid $18.xx for the ticket (probably about like $140 now), At that time, if you bought tickets in advance they came from a travel agent who went to the airport and picked them up (no office computers, unless you had an IBM 1620 in your office). All I'm saying is: Your age changes your perspective on the case and what you think in a probable course of action would be (just using you for an example) Ckret, the same is true for you! Sluggo_Monster PS Edit: I think it was established that he bought the ticket just before boarding. Ckret? Web Page Blog NORJAK Forum

Ckret, If he looked like this (Duel1.jpg) he may be my 2nd cousin twice removed! Sluggo_Monster (Just sittin’ here in “Bama, wonderin’ why you drink them lattes) Web Page Blog NORJAK Forum

Okay.... Now, I'm getting somewhere! That statement tells me you have: K - Knowledge E - Experience S - Skills A - Attitude Now, I have to add another E for ego, or is it a S for Self-Assurance, or maybe an A for Type-A personality. The Emergency Room Physician example was not an accident. Boy, I glad your back!

It has nothing to do with this “issue” (if you mean the hijacking). I post a lot, but I lurk a lot too. I’ve noticed throughout the course of these discussions (some friendly and some not-so-friendly) that there are two distinct sets of; attitudes, mores, morals, and that word that the kids like to use “memes” that come through in the discussions. So, I have assigned an age to everyone, and I just want to see if I’m right (or close to right). I mean, we don’t see each other, we don’t hear each other, I just want to pull back the curtain and see who I’m talking to. Sluggo_Monster Web Page Blog NORJAK Forum

reply]These FBI folks aren't exactly dim witted. You'll get no argument from me there, and I hope I didn't imply that they are. That's why I used the ER analogy, Knowledgeable, Experienced, Skilled, and Motivated (attitude) people are the people I want on my team. It’s just that experience can sometime work against you. It is the only unsolved hijacking in US history. Doesn’t “only” mean unique? Web Page Blog NORJAK Forum

Ckret, I hope you will take this as it is intended. I feel that you really would like to be a part of solving or advancing the Northwest 305 hijacking case. That’s something that you and I (and a lot of folks on this board) have in common. I have no idea what kind of law enforcement (LE) officer you are, nor do I know what kind of an investigator you are. I don’t even know how the performance of LE’s and Investigators is measured (Do you publish box-scores in the paper?