Originally Posted by Eff Oh
Jockflyer
A Captain of any aircraft cannot stop anyone from getting off. As you said it is unlawful imprisonment. He can only stop a person from entering the aircraft (pax). As far as this handing over control thing goes, I have never seen it in any company manual I have worked for. The police assume control of the aircraft upon reciept of the bomb threat? Does that mean if during said threat an engine fails do you need to consult the police with regard to the QRH??? Also do the police sign the tech log when signing the a/c back in following the all clear? No, because they can't. Upon getting the all clear do the retrospectively hand back control for the incident and say "well you're back incharge now so all of that was nothing to do with us!?!" The whole thing needs clearing up BIGTIME!!
Let be reasonable about this. Of course the police are not responsible for signing the tech log, and no, if the engine fails you don't need to ask them if you can do what needs done. The flight crew and ultimately the Captain are still responsible for the safe operation on the aircraft. However, once the bomb threat or hijack or any other unlawful act occurs and it's reported by the flight deck to ATC, the Captain will be under the control of the Police or other Government body as far as where the aircraft goes, and when the pax can disembark etc.
The reason for this I would imagine, is that its highly unlikely that the Captain has any experience of this type of thing, and would therefore not be aware of what is required to ensure a safe outcome to a potentially fatal situation. However, we would all hope that the authorities who would be in charge, will have well thought out stratgies to deal with the situation.
I understand that the Ryanair guys got their knuckles wrapped because they did not advise ATC that the Flight Deck was secure (ie pilots in control, not terrorists or hijackers). That is why the Tornados were scrambled to escort them. Had the Captain not followed intructions, they may well have been shot down. That sounds dramatic, but true. I'm sure the Captain could have found his own way to Prestwick, so why else would they be there?.
So Eff Oh, you may not have found it in any company manual, but perhaps next time you have some security Training, ask Dr D Harris, and I'm sure he'll back up what I've said.