Apparently, high-level decisions have been made about how much delay is acceptable in the US air transport system, when there’s a high possibility of terror attacks: U.S. Agents Search BA Jet at Washington Airport. (Hat tip: NC.)

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. security officials detained a British Airways Boeing 747 on arrival at a Washington D.C. airport on Wednesday and spent several hours searching it, the Department of Homeland Security said.

Department spokeswoman Rachael Sunbarger told Reuters that BA Flight 223 to Dulles Airport from London “has been detained and remains on the tarmac for further screening.” She gave no further details.

Local media reported the plane, carrying 247 passengers and 17 crew, landed at 7:06 p.m. The reports said those on board were ferried to the terminal building about three hours later.