Why do terrorists attack airplanes instead of easier targets?

Question

I hope I don't give them tips now, but what is the point in risking so much when they could cause bigger panic with much less effort? There are a lot of almost completely unguarded places with full of people, such as malls, underground, public events, schools... etc. Perhaps it wouldn't take as many lives, but some attacks in popular places wouldn't frighten people more.

Answer 1

My question to you is: why does every terrorist attack have to feature the killing of people, when terrorists could easily blow up a large part of the Alaskan pipeline, causing economic chaos? Not only that, but this method would be a lot easier than killing people in a public setting.

There's plenty of other targets like this, but I won't go into those. Most of what you see on television regarding "terrorists" and "airplanes" is pretty much exaggerated by the media. "Terrorists" are always perceived more likely to attack a plane or something after 9/11, or some other form of public transportation such as the UK subway bombings.

I guarantee you that if there is another serious terrorist attack, it won't involve public transportation.

Answer 2

Terrorists have stuck trains and subways (think London). If their preferred target is airplanes, it may be because most people are already a bit nervous about flying to begin with. Add to that the terroist threat and you can scare many people right out of flying. Such terror and disruption of daily life is part of what trhe terrorists are after. So even when not carrying out an attack, the residual effect of previous airplane bombings has achieved a major goal--instilling fear. But still, your point is a good one. Why not malls and public events, etc? These appear to be easy enough targets. Perhaps by focusing on transportation-related targets, the terrorist's goal is to rob the population of its freedom of movement--our mobility--and make us feel like prisoners in our own land.

Answer 3

Its a fear thing. People are already afraid of flying, add to that the fear of terrorism in flight and you have a very strong fear cocktail.

There have been some attempts on ground targets. Iraq would be a perfect example (thus no worries about giving the terrorists ideas) as well as the Brittish and Spanish mass transit bombings. Also the original WTC attack in '93, Oklahoma City, the list goes on.

Answer 4

Because
Air travel is a vast industry and if they hit a couple of planes then a lot of people panic and wont fly. Or it just causes the sort of disruption we have just had/are having and that has an effect on our economy and that of other 'Infidels'
But they should remember that the oil industry has a lot of customers up there.
Hit it too hard and their revenue goes down. So do the countries that export the oil.

Answer 5

Because planes can also be used as the weapon as in the World Trade Center Bombings.
And there is no place to go but down and out on a plane.

Answer 6

You aren't giving away any secrets. There was an aborted attempt in a mall in the Midwest about 3 years ago. I got little mention.

I think because we value travel as a free society, maybe it's their way of proving they can get to us anywhere.

Answer 7

Airliines once on board are easy targets for one or more individuals who don't mind dying. They alarm the public, get a great deal of attention, and affect the economy.

Answer 8

There are more people from more countries aboard airplanes now than ever before. It also gets more media attention, and they can take control of the plane and use it for a weapon.

Answer 9

i think their aim is more of "see what we have done" than "how many can we kill".

the terrorist wanted their target to acknowledge what they have done. if their threat is not "understood" by their target, then they won't be able to get a "deal" ... or sumthin like that.

and also, if more people could see how they've done it, more people will fear them, right?
airplanes could be seen by almost anyone in this world [with tv that is]. imagine the terrorists is wreacking havoc in the sewage system, who will see them?

Answer 10

Much more sensationalist.

And much more casualties unfortunately.

Plus to kill all those people September 11, all they armed themselves with was exacto knives. Tragic and upsetting but much easier than bombing a shopping mall.