Ignition Override
12th Sep 2001, 07:57
Well, if the other pilot(s) never return or you both are ordered out at the same time, would you refuse to leave, and be ready to die in your seat before (probably) giving up control of the plane? What would (will) your decision be?
Let's hope there are no copycat terrorists or disturbed people waiting for our guard to be let down later.
What happened today in Washington DC and NYC almost happened a few years ago to a FEDEX widebody cargo jet, a DC-10, due to one individual. Mr. C. (about to go before a board and explain why he lied on his FEDEX application about having been fired from Flying Tigers: he faced the end of his career) probably would have flown into the FEDEX hub or a row of their larger airplanes. A (US) PSA Bae-146 was downed years ago by an employee with a large pistol who had been fired. Aerobatic pro Julie C's (also a commercial jet pilot) father, was the Captain on a doomed flight when a nut killed everyone in a FH-227 out west. This is why US airlines keep the cockpit door closed enroute. This might have triggered the removal of all life insurance boxes from US airport terminals.
If the terrorists today only used knives, did they convince everyone to leave the cockpit and go aft with the threat of a bomb, at least as reported from one plane?
Your decision will likely have very grim results, no matter what you do. Must we sit/stand helpless in the cabin, if that was the case?
Maybe the airlines should ask the larger passengers nearest the cockpit along with some in coach whether they would help out, in case a crewmember called for help? Just an idea in case any passengers could verify that all crewmembers were forced from the cockpit.
[ 12 September 2001: Message edited by: Ignition Override ]
Let's hope there are no copycat terrorists or disturbed people waiting for our guard to be let down later.
What happened today in Washington DC and NYC almost happened a few years ago to a FEDEX widebody cargo jet, a DC-10, due to one individual. Mr. C. (about to go before a board and explain why he lied on his FEDEX application about having been fired from Flying Tigers: he faced the end of his career) probably would have flown into the FEDEX hub or a row of their larger airplanes. A (US) PSA Bae-146 was downed years ago by an employee with a large pistol who had been fired. Aerobatic pro Julie C's (also a commercial jet pilot) father, was the Captain on a doomed flight when a nut killed everyone in a FH-227 out west. This is why US airlines keep the cockpit door closed enroute. This might have triggered the removal of all life insurance boxes from US airport terminals.
If the terrorists today only used knives, did they convince everyone to leave the cockpit and go aft with the threat of a bomb, at least as reported from one plane?
Your decision will likely have very grim results, no matter what you do. Must we sit/stand helpless in the cabin, if that was the case?
Maybe the airlines should ask the larger passengers nearest the cockpit along with some in coach whether they would help out, in case a crewmember called for help? Just an idea in case any passengers could verify that all crewmembers were forced from the cockpit.
[ 12 September 2001: Message edited by: Ignition Override ]