I'm asking, do you REALLY think they tried to fly form on a Cirrus? Everybody seems to be locked on to this "formation" issue. Situation: Post 9/11, post Payne Stewart, NORDO aircraft is flying toward a high population, tourist area. Controller makes a request to a commercial aircraft to take a look and make an assessment. How often does this happen? Almost NEVER? If I'm flying and I'm asked to do this, I'm guessing the controller is somewhat CONCERNED. Depending on the type of Cirrus it was, the lighting conditions, etc., I think a 73 could fly 500'-1000' above (keeping it "legal" here for you legalistic types), NOT trying to match airspeed, and with the proper lateral separation, ascertain if humans were in the cockpit and in control. When I was in the Navy, we didn't call this formation..........unless we were talking about the Air Force. Maybe things have changed.