This document tells a story of bundles of 2,000 and bank bands on the bundles, some with Seattle First Nation, and Federal Reserve bank and possibly other banks?

No identifying marks were placed on the bands

Just because its an FBI memo doesn't mean its fact or accurate!     Every case is full of junk like this.

I just returned from a vacation in Montana. Lots of fires and smoke there as there is here in Washington. If Cooper landed in the Columbia River, he almost certainly died and that is a d cent possibility! After over 45 years if that is the case, I feel it highly unlikely that we will find any more real evidence. I guess that's why I am exploring other scenarios. Since his flight originated in Portland, its possible that his escape vehicle might have been somewhere in Portland vicinity. Since there are only 2 bridges that cross the Columbia being the Interstate 5 and the Railroad bridge, I decided that the railroad bridge would be by far the most likely escape path. Why ? Most importantly is the fact that you would be more visible on Interstate 5 but also it's a draw bridge and always manned 24/7 by a bridge crew.
If Cooper died in the heavy woods around Ariel, how could the Money find its way to Tina Bar ? I'm pretty sure he's not out there ! So I think IF he survived the jump, he could easily walk his way to the railroad bridge and cross into Portland. There is and has been a railway from Yacolt that travels through Battleground, Brush Prairie and connect to main line a few miles from Vancouver/Portland railroad bridge. I have checked out the full line and it's all still usuable and easy walking. I took the Amtrak round trip from Longview to Portland to try to ascertain what it would be like if you were to walk it. The only dangerous part would be IF a train would come along as you were crossing 2 rather long bridges. It's a double track BUT Cooper would be very visible to the train engineers ! There is room to duck out of sight but not for the faint of heart. Of course jumping out of a plane in darkness isn't for the faint of heart either. After noting there are Hobo camps under the bridges, my train ride showed me NO sight of any Hobo camps as they are far below the track level. So it would be entirely possible for Cooper to never encounter any hobos ! From being VERY familiar with the areas on the Oregon side of those tracks in 1971, I have a lot of places where I know Cooper could have easily left a escape vehicle which would be undetected by anyone. He would have to be a total idiot to leave his vehicle at PORTLAND airport ! I don't think he was an idiot !

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I just returned from a vacation in Montana. Lots of fires and smoke there as there is here in Washington. If Cooper landed in the Columbia River, he almost certainly died and that is a d cent possibility! After over 45 years if that is the case, I feel it highly unlikely that we will find any more real evidence. I guess that's why I am exploring other scenarios. Since his flight originated in Portland, its possible that his escape vehicle might have been somewhere in Portland vicinity. Since there are only 2 bridges that cross the Columbia being the Interstate 5 and the Railroad bridge, I decided that the railroad bridge would be by far the most likely escape path. Why ? Most importantly is the fact that you would be more visible on Interstate 5 but also it's a draw bridge and always manned 24/7 by a bridge crew.
If Cooper died in the heavy woods around Ariel, how could the Money find its way to Tina Bar ? I'm pretty sure he's not out there ! So I think IF he survived the jump, he could easily walk his way to the railroad bridge and cross into Portland. There is and has been a railway from Yacolt that travels through Battleground, Brush Prairie and connect to main line a few miles from Vancouver/Portland railroad bridge. I have checked out the full line and it's all still usuable and easy walking. I took the Amtrak round trip from Longview to Portland to try to ascertain what it would be like if you were to walk it. The only dangerous part would be IF a train would come along as you were crossing 2 rather long bridges. It's a double track BUT Cooper would be very visible to the train engineers ! There is room to duck out of sight but not for the faint of heart. Of course jumping out of a plane in darkness isn't for the faint of heart either. After noting there are Hobo camps under the bridges, my train ride showed me NO sight of any Hobo camps as they are far below the track level. So it would be entirely possible for Cooper to never encounter any hobos ! From being VERY familiar with the areas on the Oregon side of those tracks in 1971, I have a lot of places where I know Cooper could have easily left a escape vehicle which would be undetected by anyone. He would have to be a total idiot to leave his vehicle at PORTLAND airport ! I don't think he was an idiot !

I like your logic and your tracing a possible path ... thanks Kermit!

Any thoughts on how the money got to Tina Bar ?  (and when) ?

Tough to solve but IF a lot of people think he nosedived into the Columbia, what's so far fetched to think he might have lost a few bills while he was dodging a train as he was crossing the river ? Nobody ever witnessed exactly where he was carrying $ 200,000 in twenties ! He was tying money to his body with parachute chord so who's to say ? He did ask for a backpack and wasn't too happy his orders weren't followed and he had to adapt.

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I just returned from a vacation in Montana. Lots of fires and smoke there as there is here in Washington. If Cooper landed in the Columbia River, he almost certainly died and that is a d cent possibility! After over 45 years if that is the case, I feel it highly unlikely that we will find any more real evidence. I guess that's why I am exploring other scenarios. Since his flight originated in Portland, its possible that his escape vehicle might have been somewhere in Portland vicinity. Since there are only 2 bridges that cross the Columbia being the Interstate 5 and the Railroad bridge, I decided that the railroad bridge would be by far the most likely escape path. Why ? Most importantly is the fact that you would be more visible on Interstate 5 but also it's a draw bridge and always manned 24/7 by a bridge crew.
If Cooper died in the heavy woods around Ariel, how could the Money find its way to Tina Bar ? I'm pretty sure he's not out there ! So I think IF he survived the jump, he could easily walk his way to the railroad bridge and cross into Portland. There is and has been a railway from Yacolt that travels through Battleground, Brush Prairie and connect to main line a few miles from Vancouver/Portland railroad bridge. I have checked out the full line and it's all still usuable and easy walking. I took the Amtrak round trip from Longview to Portland to try to ascertain what it would be like if you were to walk it. The only dangerous part would be IF a train would come along as you were crossing 2 rather long bridges. It's a double track BUT Cooper would be very visible to the train engineers ! There is room to duck out of sight but not for the faint of heart. Of course jumping out of a plane in darkness isn't for the faint of heart either. After noting there are Hobo camps under the bridges, my train ride showed me NO sight of any Hobo camps as they are far below the track level. So it would be entirely possible for Cooper to never encounter any hobos ! From being VERY familiar with the areas on the Oregon side of those tracks in 1971, I have a lot of places where I know Cooper could have easily left a escape vehicle which would be undetected by anyone. He would have to be a total idiot to leave his vehicle at PORTLAND airport ! I don't think he was an idiot !

I like your logic and your tracing a possible path ... thanks Kermit!

Any thoughts on how the money got to Tina Bar ?  (and when) ?

And how did Cooper know when to jump so that he would be within walking distance of his escape vehicle where ever it was parked?

I think there is a good chance that Cooper's escape plans involved finding a pay phone and calling a waiting accomplice to pick him up where ever.  But that phone call was almost certainly never made.

Cooper's own words are: 'I have been waiting for the right plane, in the right place, at the right time.' He checked at the ticket counter to know if planes had been switched and a 727 was coming in. He obviously had been waiting/searching for the right combination of factors to fall into place. He probably had researched routes or already knew the common routes for flying at low altitude south from Seattle. He designated the speed. Speed = Time. Speed/time = position. (This isnt rocket science!) In addition a number of people including the 305 crew reported they could see the sky glow of Vancouver-Portland that night.

The conventional interpretation of the data suggests Cooper bailed in the time period usually assigned. The only question is where exactly on the flight path that happened. Even the FBI-McChord Search map acknowledges some uncertainty in this matter, but odds favor somewhere north of Portland, if not in the suburbs of Vancouver.

It is completely reasonable to believe the odds favor Cooper landing with the money bag he tied to himself. The odds also favor 'where the money goes Cooper is not far behind'. For money to appear at Vancouver suggests Cooper was physically somewhere in that area with the money at one time. It may be impossible at this point to fill in the blanks until more hard evidence is found.

But the odds favor Cooper survived with the money still tied to himself. What happened after that is anyone's guess.
     

     

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I just returned from a vacation in Montana. Lots of fires and smoke there as there is here in Washington. If Cooper landed in the Columbia River, he almost certainly died and that is a d cent possibility! After over 45 years if that is the case, I feel it highly unlikely that we will find any more real evidence. I guess that's why I am exploring other scenarios. Since his flight originated in Portland, its possible that his escape vehicle might have been somewhere in Portland vicinity. Since there are only 2 bridges that cross the Columbia being the Interstate 5 and the Railroad bridge, I decided that the railroad bridge would be by far the most likely escape path. Why ? Most importantly is the fact that you would be more visible on Interstate 5 but also it's a draw bridge and always manned 24/7 by a bridge crew.
If Cooper died in the heavy woods around Ariel, how could the Money find its way to Tina Bar ? I'm pretty sure he's not out there ! So I think IF he survived the jump, he could easily walk his way to the railroad bridge and cross into Portland. There is and has been a railway from Yacolt that travels through Battleground, Brush Prairie and connect to main line a few miles from Vancouver/Portland railroad bridge. I have checked out the full line and it's all still usuable and easy walking. I took the Amtrak round trip from Longview to Portland to try to ascertain what it would be like if you were to walk it. The only dangerous part would be IF a train would come along as you were crossing 2 rather long bridges. It's a double track BUT Cooper would be very visible to the train engineers ! There is room to duck out of sight but not for the faint of heart. Of course jumping out of a plane in darkness isn't for the faint of heart either. After noting there are Hobo camps under the bridges, my train ride showed me NO sight of any Hobo camps as they are far below the track level. So it would be entirely possible for Cooper to never encounter any hobos ! From being VERY familiar with the areas on the Oregon side of those tracks in 1971, I have a lot of places where I know Cooper could have easily left a escape vehicle which would be undetected by anyone. He would have to be a total idiot to leave his vehicle at PORTLAND airport ! I don't think he was an idiot !

I like your logic and your tracing a possible path ... thanks Kermit!

Any thoughts on how the money got to Tina Bar ?  (and when) ?

And how did Cooper know when to jump so that he would be within walking distance of his escape vehicle where ever it was parked?

I think there is a good chance that Cooper's escape plans involved finding a pay phone and calling a waiting accomplice to pick him up where ever.  But that phone call was almost certainly never made.

Kermit,

At one time, you talked about some sort of military airport/outpost just south of PDX and you also mentioned the name of a road where Cooper may have parked his car, Oregon side.  I hope I'm not saying too much, but if you would, please elaborate -- would like to get your thoughts on that.ui

Meyer

I worked for the Post Office as a letter carrier from 1960 to 1968 and again from 1981 to 2001. In 1962 I was sent to Lackland Airforce Base in Texas for basic training and then to Oregon Air National Guard at Portland Airbase. Portland Airbase actually shares the same grounds as PDX ( Portland International Airport ). It's located off Cornfoot Road where both the regular airmen and Air National Guardmen must enter through a secured gate. The Regular Airforce and Air National Guard aircraft use the southern runways closest to Cornfoot road. The other runways were for the commercial and private aircraft. That was the case in the 60's and I'm pretty sure still applies. I drove by recently and there has been a ton of development along Cornfoot road and the Airbase. The Army National,Guard has facilities there now and I see Boeing has facilities on the western edge of base. In the 60's and 70's, there was nothing there but the Airforce and Air National Guard bases. I was a mechanic in Air National,Guard assigned to Refueling maintenance. I wasnt all that good at mechanics so naturally that's where they assigned me ! 😁

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I just returned from a vacation in Montana. Lots of fires and smoke there as there is here in Washington. If Cooper landed in the Columbia River, he almost certainly died and that is a d cent possibility! After over 45 years if that is the case, I feel it highly unlikely that we will find any more real evidence. I guess that's why I am exploring other scenarios. Since his flight originated in Portland, its possible that his escape vehicle might have been somewhere in Portland vicinity. Since there are only 2 bridges that cross the Columbia being the Interstate 5 and the Railroad bridge, I decided that the railroad bridge would be by far the most likely escape path. Why ? Most importantly is the fact that you would be more visible on Interstate 5 but also it's a draw bridge and always manned 24/7 by a bridge crew.
If Cooper died in the heavy woods around Ariel, how could the Money find its way to Tina Bar ? I'm pretty sure he's not out there ! So I think IF he survived the jump, he could easily walk his way to the railroad bridge and cross into Portland. There is and has been a railway from Yacolt that travels through Battleground, Brush Prairie and connect to main line a few miles from Vancouver/Portland railroad bridge. I have checked out the full line and it's all still usuable and easy walking. I took the Amtrak round trip from Longview to Portland to try to ascertain what it would be like if you were to walk it. The only dangerous part would be IF a train would come along as you were crossing 2 rather long bridges. It's a double track BUT Cooper would be very visible to the train engineers ! There is room to duck out of sight but not for the faint of heart. Of course jumping out of a plane in darkness isn't for the faint of heart either. After noting there are Hobo camps under the bridges, my train ride showed me NO sight of any Hobo camps as they are far below the track level. So it would be entirely possible for Cooper to never encounter any hobos ! From being VERY familiar with the areas on the Oregon side of those tracks in 1971, I have a lot of places where I know Cooper could have easily left a escape vehicle which would be undetected by anyone. He would have to be a total idiot to leave his vehicle at PORTLAND airport ! I don't think he was an idiot !

I like your logic and your tracing a possible path ... thanks Kermit!

Any thoughts on how the money got to Tina Bar ?  (and when) ?

And how did Cooper know when to jump so that he would be within walking distance of his escape vehicle where ever it was parked?

I think there is a good chance that Cooper's escape plans involved finding a pay phone and calling a waiting accomplice to pick him up where ever.  But that phone call was almost certainly never made.

Kermit,

At one time, you talked about some sort of military airport/outpost just south of PDX and you also mentioned the name of a road where Cooper may have parked his car, Oregon side.  I hope I'm not saying too much, but if you would, please elaborate -- would like to get your thoughts on that.ui

Meyer

I worked for the Post Office as a letter carrier from 1960 to 1968 and again from 1981 to 2001. In 1962 I was sent to Lackland Airforce Base in Texas for basic training and then to Oregon Air National Guard at Portland Airbase. Portland Airbase actually shares the same grounds as PDX ( Portland International Airport ). It's located off Cornfoot Road where both the regular airmen and Air National Guardmen must enter through a secured gate. The Regular Airforce and Air National Guard aircraft use the southern runways closest to Cornfoot road. The other runways were for the commercial and private aircraft. That was the case in the 60's and I'm pretty sure still applies. I drove by recently and there has been a ton of development along Cornfoot road and the Airbase. The Army National,Guard has facilities there now and I see Boeing has facilities on the western edge of base. In the 60's and 70's, there was nothing there but the Airforce and Air National Guard bases. I was a mechanic in Air National,Guard assigned to Refueling maintenance. I wasnt all that good at mechanics so naturally that's where they assigned me ! 😁

Now how many people actually knew about Portland Airbase next to Cornfoot Road?  I have to Google Earth it and check it out.  Thanks for that information, Kermit.
Meyer

Don't read too much into the "Portland Airbase", "Air National Guard Base", "Naval Air Station", or any other such names you see associated with the Portland International Airport.  These places probably consisted of only a few aircraft and probably a hangar or two.  The original T-33 that chased the hijacked airliner, as well as Himmelsbach's helicopter, was from that side of the PIA.

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I just returned from a vacation in Montana. Lots of fires and smoke there as there is here in Washington. If Cooper landed in the Columbia River, he almost certainly died and that is a d cent possibility! After over 45 years if that is the case, I feel it highly unlikely that we will find any more real evidence. I guess that's why I am exploring other scenarios. Since his flight originated in Portland, its possible that his escape vehicle might have been somewhere in Portland vicinity. Since there are only 2 bridges that cross the Columbia being the Interstate 5 and the Railroad bridge, I decided that the railroad bridge would be by far the most likely escape path. Why ? Most importantly is the fact that you would be more visible on Interstate 5 but also it's a draw bridge and always manned 24/7 by a bridge crew.
If Cooper died in the heavy woods around Ariel, how could the Money find its way to Tina Bar ? I'm pretty sure he's not out there ! So I think IF he survived the jump, he could easily walk his way to the railroad bridge and cross into Portland. There is and has been a railway from Yacolt that travels through Battleground, Brush Prairie and connect to main line a few miles from Vancouver/Portland railroad bridge. I have checked out the full line and it's all still usuable and easy walking. I took the Amtrak round trip from Longview to Portland to try to ascertain what it would be like if you were to walk it. The only dangerous part would be IF a train would come along as you were crossing 2 rather long bridges. It's a double track BUT Cooper would be very visible to the train engineers ! There is room to duck out of sight but not for the faint of heart. Of course jumping out of a plane in darkness isn't for the faint of heart either. After noting there are Hobo camps under the bridges, my train ride showed me NO sight of any Hobo camps as they are far below the track level. So it would be entirely possible for Cooper to never encounter any hobos ! From being VERY familiar with the areas on the Oregon side of those tracks in 1971, I have a lot of places where I know Cooper could have easily left a escape vehicle which would be undetected by anyone. He would have to be a total idiot to leave his vehicle at PORTLAND airport ! I don't think he was an idiot !

I like your logic and your tracing a possible path ... thanks Kermit!

Any thoughts on how the money got to Tina Bar ?  (and when) ?

And how did Cooper know when to jump so that he would be within walking distance of his escape vehicle where ever it was parked?

I think there is a good chance that Cooper's escape plans involved finding a pay phone and calling a waiting accomplice to pick him up where ever.  But that phone call was almost certainly never made.

Kermit,

At one time, you talked about some sort of military airport/outpost just south of PDX and you also mentioned the name of a road where Cooper may have parked his car, Oregon side.  I hope I'm not saying too much, but if you would, please elaborate -- would like to get your thoughts on that.ui

Meyer

I worked for the Post Office as a letter carrier from 1960 to 1968 and again from 1981 to 2001. In 1962 I was sent to Lackland Airforce Base in Texas for basic training and then to Oregon Air National Guard at Portland Airbase. Portland Airbase actually shares the same grounds as PDX ( Portland International Airport ). It's located off Cornfoot Road where both the regular airmen and Air National Guardmen must enter through a secured gate. The Regular Airforce and Air National Guard aircraft use the southern runways closest to Cornfoot road. The other runways were for the commercial and private aircraft. That was the case in the 60's and I'm pretty sure still applies. I drove by recently and there has been a ton of development along Cornfoot road and the Airbase. The Army National,Guard has facilities there now and I see Boeing has facilities on the western edge of base. In the 60's and 70's, there was nothing there but the Airforce and Air National Guard bases. I was a mechanic in Air National,Guard assigned to Refueling maintenance. I wasnt all that good at mechanics so naturally that's where they assigned me ! 😁

Now how many people actually knew about Portland Airbase next to Cornfoot Road?  I have to Google Earth it and check it out.  Thanks for that information, Kermit.
Meyer

Don't read too much into the "Portland Airbase", "Air National Guard Base", "Naval Air Station", or any other such names you see associated with the Portland International Airport.  These places probably consisted of only a few aircraft and probably a hangar or two.  The original T-33 that chased the hijacked airliner, as well as Himmelsbach's helicopter, was from that side of the PIA.

Sorry but the 142 nd Fighter Wing at Portland Airbase is a very prominent part of the Air Defense for the entire NW from Northern California to Canada ! There are close to 500 full time airmen working with over 1100 assigned to the Unit. F -15 RedHawks are on alert 24/7   This may be an older Jet but still one of the best around. They have won many Top Gun awards at many competitions. They were one of the first in the air on Sept 11, 2001. The history goes back to the 40's and they participated in many wars over the years. I take pride in my former Unit !

First, my whole point was that the various "airbases" were just portions of PIA.  I have watched F-15s coming out of the low clouds to land to the east on the northern runway at PIA.  I don't know if these were Air Guard aircraft or regular USAF but four of them popped out of the clouds with about a one minute separation between aircraft.  My guess is that those particular aircraft had been on a training flight.