Interesting story. We know the 9-11 history that they bad guys will work for decades to plan, stage, and execute their plans.

If this is a case, like many others, of his name and info matching another person who does belong on the watch list, then it should be resolved soon without too much more trouble.

The problem comes in to play if he IS the person they meant to put on a watch list. They very well may have information that can not be released to the public that would effect an on-going investigation. This could easily be an effort to test the system as well... nice squeaky clean guy, former US military, recent islamic convert.... this is a tough one to call. I am SURE they had a valid reason for putting him on the watch list... weather or not they can make the reason public is another matter.

I expect, that if it is an on-going investigation, the court hearing will go closed session, with records sealed... and based on the goverment's case the judge will either uphold the position on the watch list - and issue an injunction prohibiting public release of the information; or he/she will order him removed from the watch list.

as devil's advocate, the days of them being able to buy a ticket and take a chance at getting into the flight deck are much much harder than ever before in our history. If they truly wanted to repeat their past success, I can think of no better way than to get their people into jobs as pilots....