US Airways Captain Briefs Pax with Ax

[Airbubba]

Some of the safety briefings are getting quite creative...


From www.usatoday.com (http://www.usatoday.com) :


Passengers turning into air police

By Blake Morrison, USA TODAY


The pilot of US Airways Flight 62 stepped from the cockpit Sunday night, an ax in his hand. "These are extraordinary times," he told passengers over the jet's public address system. The cabin quieted. Then he rattled off three scenarios in the event of a terrorist attack aboard the San Francisco-to-Charlotte flight. "One, someone stands up and says 'bomb,' " the pilot said. "If they tell you that, it's a lie." Second, someone pretends to be an air marshal. "We don't have an armed marshal on this flight," he said, still holding the ax.


Third, someone might threaten to release some sort of biological agent. Don't be afraid, he told passengers. Pilots would land the plane before any lasting harm could be done.

In any case, the pilot advised, passengers should not back down. "Throw your shoes at them. A couple of you get up and tackle him. Beat the snot out of him. I don't care."

As for the ax he was holding, standard on jets in case of emergency? It's kept in the cockpit, he said. "It's very sharp. I can shave with it. For anyone to try to break into this cockpit would be a very bad idea."

Then the pilot paused. "Having said all this, I'd like you all to sit back, relax and enjoy the trip." Some passengers chuckled. Almost everyone clapped.

[Flap 5]

... so any potential highjacker now knows there is a weapon in the cockpit that he can use and it's much more effective than a pen knife or box cutter.

[bin Ich]

First, it's the hijacking and crashing into the WTC. Now it is the anthrax. Bin Laden has done more damage to the USA than any other terrorists. What's next? We don't know but it probably won't be another hijacking. So, why waste the time in doing foolish cabin announcement? :rolleyes:

[Sunshine Express]

.....and that here isn't a Sky Marshall!

Still, I can't help but like the guy's
sense of occasion and humour.
;)

[CaptA320]

Although I very much sympathize with the emotions prevailing right now in air travel I believe it is our duty as professionals to conduct ourselves in a professional manner. I for one will not be briefing my passengers with the aid of the crash axe. I believe passengers right now need to be reassured that safety procedures have been tightened and airport security is at the highest level. Our job is to fly aircraft, that's what we have been trained for and that's what we get paid for. Additionally I believe telling your passengers that we have no sky marshall on-board is not such a great idea either.
Let us all be calm and collective at these times and get on with the business of flying.

[ 18 October 2001: Message edited by: CaptA320 ]

[Payscale]

That might work for you in the wild west. In Europe he would have been fired. :D

[Charlie Mike]

If American pilots are allowed to carry side-arms....would it have been two shots into the ceiling and a fancy twirl to get the gun back in the holster!!! :p

[BEagle]

"Wilkom on board this Euro-bore flight. It vill be safe. Ve don' have hijackers in Europe as none can pass the JAA exams for hijackers. If any non-JAA hijackers are on this flight, plizz make yourself known to the cabin crew. Ve vill then arrange for counselling and fluffy-huggy sessions. If all else fails ve vill, with your agreement, secure you with JAA-compliant red tape - but not too tightly. Thank you for your attention, ve hope that you tolerate the remainder of the flight!"

[411A]

....and quite rightly so...another lose cannon. Pilots should stay on the flight deck and leave the cabin to the F/A's, because that is precisely what they are paid for.

[Knold]

Oh, I think I've heard of this Captain before...
Wasn't he the dad in the Trigger happy family on TV?

Nice one Hoppalong :eek: :eek:

[Mert]

" Some passengers chuckled. Almost everyone clapped." And the rest sat there quietly and s#&t themselves.
I wonder what he'll do next time, threaten to bust a cap in someones a$# with the flare gun? He may have good intentions, but his delivery seems a bit off kilter.
:(

[HEAVYWHALE]

You guys need to lighten up! Damn!

Don't you guys ever have fun?

[criticalmass]

AXE: n, pl axes, v. axed, axing. An instrument with a bladed head on a handle or helve, used for hewing, cleaving, chopping etc. (source: The Macquarie Dictionary)

I couldn't find AX in my dictionary at all. For Gawd's sake, America, stop re-inventing a perfectly servicable language. It is already complicated enough without further obfuscation.

I like the Captain's attitude, though. About time people began to stand up for themselves and were actually encouraged to do so.

[Skyhawk XP]

Most airlines have one; somone who has to be vastly different to the majority. Usually someone that is very insecure deep down and has to be closely monitored as they age.

Ps. I have worked with a Captain who was similar to the above. Sad to say he failed a medical !!! later in life.

[caulfield]

That is PRECISELY the attitude we need to see nowadays.No nonsense,say it like it is mixed in with a bit of humor.Its a fight for survival..and passengers appreciate this kind of approach,despite what Euro bores might think.My god,they're even carping on about spelling for chrissakes.

[Hamrah]

Just for the record, this particular event is fast becoming an urban myth. It was first reported to have happened on a United Flight on September 14th or thereabouts. I have now received 6 versions, all reportedly second hand accounts ( a friend of a friend) based around 4 different US airlines, and all with slight differences (The "ax" is a new twist, especially as I didn't believe that US aircraft are fitted with a crash axe)

H

[HEAVYWHALE]

Hey CriticalmASS,

You are one to talk being from AUS. You guys CHOP up the English language more than any other county I've ever seen! No pun intended! Get it? AXE- Chop? Ha! Thought I'd just explain, in case you are a little slow on the uptake. Just fun'in whit cha mate!

And to you soft bellied Euro's. Just wait till they arm us, they just passed the Bill in the Senate 100-0 in favor to do so. Try not to shoot yourselves in the foot, since I know that you guys have so much experience in handling weapons.

Just remember it's... 1. sight picture 2. align 3. breath 4. hold 5. squeeze

One shot, one kill!

A little humor goes a long way, guys! I swear some of you must be loads of fun on a Transoceanic Xing! Life is too short, play hard.

[Airbubba]

>>The "ax" is a new twist, especially as I didn't believe that US aircraft are fitted with a crash axe<<


From FAR 121.309:

"Crash ax. Except for nontransport category airplanes type certificated after December 31, 1964, each airplane must be equipped with a crash ax. "

I guess you thought the ax was another urban legend <g>...

[criticalmass]

HeavyWHale,

You forgot, after firing always make sure you have another round chambered in case a back-up shot is required. And keep still, trust your ghillie-suit for concealment and have your escape route planned in case you need to vacate rpaidly.

Also, clean up your spent brass. Any sniper who finds a good hide doesn't want to reveal it to oppositon forces...he may want to use it again. Besides, 300 Win Mag brass is expensive and I just love handloading!

"Reach out and touch someone...at a kilometre!"

[PanicButton]

Holding the ax overdid it a bit but laying down the rules, what to do in case of... is a good idea. It makes everybody feel safer. The passengers all clapping, keeping together, is something to terrify hijackers! :D