This thread makes an interesting read, this horrible event has changed our industry.
I am surprised how many times the word "suicide" has been used.
"Suicide" is to take ones own life, intentionally taking 150 lives to make a point is mass murder.
To put it another way:
a "Sad" person will take their own life, be it, hot bath, pills, bullet or car into a tree.
A "Mad" person is one that will premeditate and execute unthinkable acts.
This jack ass is no different to someone that straps on a bomb vest or kills hostages in a coffee shop.
There is no fool proof litmus test to identify these people, they are smart, charming and controlled.
I believe the big issue is the narcissistic personality traits,,,,, "I'll show them" or "I'll change this industry".
The realities of the aviation industry, we need Type A behavior on flight decks, people able to act and that will not be crippled by stress or conflict.
There are statistics stating that approximately 1% of the population are psychopathathic / sociopathic personalities, I believe this number is much much higher in workplaces that draws Type A behaviors.
Take the test ( be honest ) :
Sociopath Test