Okay Adamastor you mean that kind of baddie!
If the person has just overstayed their welcome and have no criminal charges against them, they are left at the aircraft door and fly unescorted, getting their papers returned upon arrival. We as crew are not given many details about the person being deported. Although I'm not familiar with the screening done by the company, I'm satisfied that it is sufficient due to a lack of incidents. Was I nervous? Like most things you experience for the first time, it was admittedly unsettling (especially my first handcuffed prisoners), but these kind of transportees do not cause you to bat an eye eventually. Sometimes you do have to have a soothing word with the passengers seated around them though. Most of the ones I've had on board are harmless, polite and not in fear of being returned to Canada of the US (my flying field). I can't speak for overseas flight but I've never heard of any problem.
If the person being transported has been convicted or is on trial for any criminal charge they are always accompanied by a law officer. Depending on the seriousness of the offence, they can be in cuffs or not. Carrying a person accompanied by an officer(s) comes with strict inflight rules. These may vary from airline to airline but I suspect the logic behind them is recognized and practiced by most major carriers. Here's our policy.
Prisoners with escorts must be pre-boarded.
Capt must be advised of their presence or expected presence and seating location.
Should be seated in the rear of the aircraft and not adjacent to an emergency or normal exit.
The escort must seat himself/herself between the prisoner and the aisle. Any restraining devices (eg. handcuffs) must not be attached to any part of the aircraft or it's furnishing.
Crew are to check with the escort prior to offering hot beverages or utensils to the prisoner.
No alcohol is to be served to the escort or prisoner.
They will deplane the aircraft last.
ExSimGuy, I can't speak for FAA regs. but I know manacles are allowed in Canada as long as they are not fixed to the aircraft. Although some people of the prisoner's aquaintance might consider them a justifiable casuality in an air disaster, airlines can't abet this opinion by letting the prisoner "go down with the ship".
