Originally Posted by
AKLifetimeFlyer
I thought so too until I talked to someone else who mentioned they saw the jet make the turns. The person said it looked to be a commercial or cargo plane, not military.
If a plane was waiting to see which way the ash plume was headed, they'd probably do a typical holding pattern above ANC until they were certain they'd be able to continue on course without a reroute that would require more fuel. If the detour was too long, they'd have to land at ANC to gas up. Suitable diversion airports (e.g. CDB) are not thick on the ground after ANC if you're heading to Asia.