I'm posting this as a follow up to the thread, now moved to the D & D, on the shooting of a passenger by air marshalls. One of my side jobs is teaching self defense and after 9/11 we put together a seminar on inflight self-defense for business travellers. With the recent shooting I think its very important that people understand how different the law enforcement and security situation is on a plane versus anywhere else. Even on a plane just sitting on the ground if it is fully fueled it is a bomb and the cramped environment of a commercial flight greatly increases the danger to other passengers from any threat. Here some tips from our seminar that I think would be helpful for all of us to know. Current In Flight Security Situation -Prior to September 11, 2001 the pilot would take charge of any situation. -Pilot will now not leave cockpit and will attempt to land plane if problems occur. -There are still a very limited number of air marshals and there will probably never be enough to have them on every flight. - Air marshals are undercover and will not break cover unless they sense that the plane is about to be taken over and then they will act decisively. - There is no option to flee an in flight security situation. - Everyone on the plane is expendable. Psychological Environment on Plane -Stressful and confining environment. -Highly controlled environment. -Most people are more docile and cooperative on plane. Types of Attackers. (It is important to distinguish what type of attackers there might be on a threat since the reaction to all isn't the same.) -Air-rage – Deranged attacker set off by intoxication, stress of traveling and fear of flying. - Panicking Individual – Driven by fear may try to take over controls or open doors. -Bully – Demanding individual who will use intimidation to get results. -Terrorist – Goal driven focused attacker. Recognizing Potential Threats (a threat might not come out of the blue so its important to recognize types of behavior that may lead to a threat.) -Threatening behavior. -Suspicious behavior. -Escalating behavior. -Odd behavior. -Need to differentiate between potential threat and innocent actions. (This is very important. Someone leaning down to tie their shoes is more than likely not a shoebomber looking to detonate their Nikes.) -Don’t be paranoid! (If you get paranoid and act aggressively towards other passengers you are making yourself a potential threat.) Legal Ramifications -No obligation to retreat. (In regular self-defense you are obligated to retreat if you can and only fight as a last resort. Since you can't retreat on a plane and everyone is at risk there isn't that obligation.) -In flight governed by federal law or country of where flight is destined. -Liability falls on passengers regarding actions that may injure others. -Airlines are liable for lax security. (What this means is that an airlines are more at risks legally for failing to stop something than overreacting.) -Don’t become an aggressor yourself. General Strategy -Be aware of your surroundings. Who is around and where. -Limit attackers’ movement. Prevent them from reaching cockpit, galley, lavatories or taking hostages. -Remove objects an attacker could use as a weapon. -Don’t become a hostage yourself. -If an air marshal declares who they are take cover to give them a clear view of attacker. Sobering Thoughts -There are thousands of flights daily that takeoff and land without incident. (There's no need to be paranoid.) -Everyone on the board the plane is expendable. The plane’s safety is your safety. (If there is a threat though you shoujld be prepared.) -Be prepared to act! (If you can be prepared to help out. This doesn't just apply to self-defense but also to helping with sick passengers and calming stressful passengers.)
I think you forgot the most obvious safety rule...Don't say that you have a bomb and then reach into your bag when a Federal Air Marshall is pointing a gun at you...
These days, I'd just advise anyone flying to be prepared to duck and cover. And it's not the terrorists who are so quick to shoot... (please don't anyone take my comment too seriously or move this to the D&D. who knows, RM95 might want to participate in this thread.)
Of course you could always not cooperate with the flight crew and then claim that you're the "Rosa Parks" of the airline industry after you get capped.
One would hope so. Most of self-defense really just comes down to common sense but that still doesn't keep people from putting themselves into situations where they're endangered.
