What should we do when we experience hijacking?
#16
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 38,417
Tricky question.
Firstly, I'd imagine it would be close to impossible to know if it's a 9/11-style, 'crash into a building,' hijacker or a egypt air 'I just want to meet my wife again' hijacker. The former necessitates far greater personal action/risk-taking than the latter.
Personally I would probably just do nothing other than login to the plane's wi-fi, buy internet access, and send "this might be goodbye" messages to all my loved ones.
Firstly, I'd imagine it would be close to impossible to know if it's a 9/11-style, 'crash into a building,' hijacker or a egypt air 'I just want to meet my wife again' hijacker. The former necessitates far greater personal action/risk-taking than the latter.
Personally I would probably just do nothing other than login to the plane's wi-fi, buy internet access, and send "this might be goodbye" messages to all my loved ones.
#17
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: CMH, West Coast
Programs: AA Executive Platinum, oneworld emerald
Posts: 2,741
Nah, I'm taking them down at all costs regardless of whether they're attempting to breach the cockpit. If they're hijacking the plane to do anything for any reason, I'm fighting dirty and taking them down. I'm not going to sit there and assume things about their intentions.
#18
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2010
Posts: 13,573
I think you can probably tell them apart (political claim type versus kill the lot type) so that may impact my decision, but I am firmly of the 'take them out as soon as you can, if you can' camp (exceptions would be if they were wearing explosive vests with dead man triggers, holding a grenade with pin removed, etc.).
I think the population, as a whole, is more inclined to cooperate to defeat hostages on a plane in a post 9-11 world, as the loss of life on board would almost certainly be less than the loss of life on the ground if that was the intent of the terrorists. Even if the terrorists had small arms (I am assuming the likelihood of anything larger than a handgun is remote) there is a finite number of shots they can fire before needing to stop to reload.
I also think pilots are maybe more likely to cause potential harm to passengers to save the plane load these days as well (e.g. knocking out oxygen supply to the cabin) which would be a good option, provided no dead man triggers of course!
I think the population, as a whole, is more inclined to cooperate to defeat hostages on a plane in a post 9-11 world, as the loss of life on board would almost certainly be less than the loss of life on the ground if that was the intent of the terrorists. Even if the terrorists had small arms (I am assuming the likelihood of anything larger than a handgun is remote) there is a finite number of shots they can fire before needing to stop to reload.
I also think pilots are maybe more likely to cause potential harm to passengers to save the plane load these days as well (e.g. knocking out oxygen supply to the cabin) which would be a good option, provided no dead man triggers of course!
#19
Moderator, Hilton Honors
Join Date: Nov 2003
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The chances of anyone experiencing a hijacking is extremely remote, unless you are the hijacker.
There are plenty of risks that are far more likely to occur to worry about instead of this.
There are plenty of risks that are far more likely to occur to worry about instead of this.
#20
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: SJC/SFO
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There was a sea change in common wisdom that occurred in real time on 9-11. Before then, it was "Everyone stay quiet, do what the hijackers want, and you'll all get out alive." By mid-morning on that fateful day people had figured out, "The hijackers are determined to kill every single person on this plane plus thousands more on the ground. Consider yourselves deputized."
#21
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: USA
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Unfortunately, post 9/11 I have to assume they will crash they plane, killing not only everyone on board, but many on the ground. I would attack anyone who attempted to hijack the plane, and use as much force as needed to stop them. No holds barred - eye gouging, groin shots, biting - anything it takes to stop the threat, and if they die it's on them, not me. If I'm going to die, I'll do it fighting.
Nah, I'm taking them down at all costs regardless of whether they're attempting to breach the cockpit. If they're hijacking the plane to do anything for any reason, I'm fighting dirty and taking them down. I'm not going to sit there and assume things about their intentions.
#22
Join Date: May 2014
Location: CMH, HNL
Programs: UA, HA
Posts: 583
Nah, I'm taking them down at all costs regardless of whether they're attempting to breach the cockpit. If they're hijacking the plane to do anything for any reason, I'm fighting dirty and taking them down. I'm not going to sit there and assume things about their intentions.
Man, I really hope I am on the same flight as you if it's a 9/11 kind of hijacking.
In a world where our kids know about Run, Hide, or Fight, something tells me you're hardwired for the last one. Respect.
-1. Needlessly harsh.
#23
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#24
In Memoriam, FlyerTalk Evangelist
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#25
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Join Date: Sep 2013
Posts: 817
Man, I really hope I'm not on the same flight as you if it's a ride to Cuba kind of hijacking. And...
Man, I really hope I am on the same flight as you if it's a 9/11 kind of hijacking.
In a world where our kids know about Run, Hide, or Fight, something tells me you're hardwired for the last one. Respect..
Man, I really hope I am on the same flight as you if it's a 9/11 kind of hijacking.
In a world where our kids know about Run, Hide, or Fight, something tells me you're hardwired for the last one. Respect..
Frankly, it isn't about being a hero per se. It's about the fact that sadly, it's better to risk the loss of the plane than the loss of the plane PLUS lives on the ground.
#26
Join Date: May 2014
Location: CMH, HNL
Programs: UA, HA
Posts: 583
You realize that the 9/11 hijackers also claimed if people complied they would not be hurt, right?
Frankly, it isn't about being a hero per se. It's about the fact that sadly, it's better to risk the loss of the plane than the loss of the plane PLUS lives on the ground.
Frankly, it isn't about being a hero per se. It's about the fact that sadly, it's better to risk the loss of the plane than the loss of the plane PLUS lives on the ground.
And calling someone's opinion nonsense (even if it it seems warranted) is -1 on the scale of Promoting Civil Discourse.
#27
Suspended
Join Date: Mar 2016
Posts: 179
Looks like things are getting worse these days and it came up to my mind since I fly a lot on commerical airplanes.
What actions could we take realistically when we experience hijacking?
Is it the best to just sit calm and follow what the hijackers tell us to do?
What are your thoughts on this?
What actions could we take realistically when we experience hijacking?
Is it the best to just sit calm and follow what the hijackers tell us to do?
What are your thoughts on this?
#28
Moderator: Manufactured Spending
Join Date: Jul 2011
Posts: 6,583
There was a sea change in common wisdom that occurred in real time on 9-11. Before then, it was "Everyone stay quiet, do what the hijackers want, and you'll all get out alive." By mid-morning on that fateful day people had figured out, "The hijackers are determined to kill every single person on this plane plus thousands more on the ground. Consider yourselves deputized."
I think that political hijackers will usually make it clear what they want, such as the release of prisoners. If they don't, it's safe to assume they are suicide hijackers, and charge against them.
#29
Join Date: Apr 2015
Programs: AA
Posts: 286
Unfortunately, post 9/11 I have to assume they will crash they plane, killing not only everyone on board, but many on the ground. I would attack anyone who attempted to hijack the plane, and use as much force as needed to stop them. No holds barred - eye gouging, groin shots, biting - anything it takes to stop the threat, and if they die it's on them, not me. If I'm going to die, I'll do it fighting.