This plane that was escorted into Manchester airport

[IwishIwasmoreorganised]

BBC link

Forgive my ignorance, but what was the purpose of the military jet? How could it have helped?

Apparently to shoot the plane down had there been a bomb on it, over somewhere quiet or the sea.

I would imagine it is there to shoot the plane down if it posed a threat (like the 9/11 planes were used as weapons).

This is what I was told so hope I'm correct, I actually saw the plane and jet as live v near Manchester airport.

Ah, they'd have instructed the pilot to ch age the route to a less populated area?

Wow.

Yes, I always assumed it was to shoot them down if they had no choice

I saw/heard it, too. I was trying to get DD out of the car into the house without waking her up and had to wait until it had gone. Very, very loud and a bit scary because the clouds were thick and I didn't see the jet for a while. It must have gone right over me at one point.

I have to admit I'm so glad we've already been on our annual summer holiday in June as with all these plane stories on the news there is no way I could get on one atm (already scared of flying anyway)

All very worrying recently. I'm still concerned that they don't know where that Malaysia Airways plane is either.

Who the hell makes that shit up, if it was a hoax? It says the pilot was passed a note. Beyond belief. (Although there are few details so far, to be fair.)