True Story re Airline Safety
Oct 17th, 2001, 05:46 AM
#1
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True Story re Airline Safety
Yesterday my uncle took a flight on USAir. He was trying to get comfortable next to the GIGANTIC man sitting next to him (roughly 6'5" 300lbs as my uncle tells it), when the pilot approached them. The pilot whispered to the enormous man that if he was interested, he would be given the aisle seat in row #1 in first class. The only catch was that he had to be responsible for the safety of the cockpit! He informed the man (and my eavsdropping uncle) the he was the plane's last line of defense and he wanted the man to physically stop, with whatever means were necessary, anyone who appeared to have a malicious intent.
With that, the man took his new seat, the pilots entered the cockpit and closed the door, and a flight attendant wheeled a drink cart in front of the cockpit door. The flight was uneventful but at the time my uncle walked off the plane, the drink cart was still there and the cockpit door hadn't opened once.
Couple questions: obviously sky marshalls aren't going to be on every flight, but do the pilots know when they are there? He basically announced to my uncle and a few other nearby passengers that there wasn't a sky marshall when he asked the big guy for help; how smart was that? Is this the future of airplane safety, the biggest guy on the plane is responsible, regardless of training? Should I start bulking up in hopes that I'll get free upgrades?
With that, the man took his new seat, the pilots entered the cockpit and closed the door, and a flight attendant wheeled a drink cart in front of the cockpit door. The flight was uneventful but at the time my uncle walked off the plane, the drink cart was still there and the cockpit door hadn't opened once.
Couple questions: obviously sky marshalls aren't going to be on every flight, but do the pilots know when they are there? He basically announced to my uncle and a few other nearby passengers that there wasn't a sky marshall when he asked the big guy for help; how smart was that? Is this the future of airplane safety, the biggest guy on the plane is responsible, regardless of training? Should I start bulking up in hopes that I'll get free upgrades?
Oct 17th, 2001, 06:27 AM
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To more possibilities:
1. Maybe sky marshalls don't identify themselves to the crew, not even to the pilots. Perhaps there's a password they use, only if necessary.
2. The enormous guy WAS the marshall, but the pilot didn't want to reveal his status to the passengers.
1. Maybe sky marshalls don't identify themselves to the crew, not even to the pilots. Perhaps there's a password they use, only if necessary.
2. The enormous guy WAS the marshall, but the pilot didn't want to reveal his status to the passengers.
Oct 17th, 2001, 06:35 AM
#3
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Pretty weird story there, Marc. Any chance the big guy was a WWF wrestler, or an NBA basketball or NFL football player? Could the pilot have just been offering him a better seat and been kidding about guarding the cockpit? Could the big guy have been the sky marshall? The final line of defense was a drink cart??? Are you sure your uncle isn't pulling your leg?
Looks like there's still a few kinks to be worked out with the new security procedures.
Looks like there's still a few kinks to be worked out with the new security procedures.
Oct 17th, 2001, 07:27 AM
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man oh man, it didn't take long for a troll-buster to raise their ugly heads. To answer your question, no I am not a troll, I don't waste my time making b.s. posts.
I did think of the possibility that my uncle was just screwing with me, except for the fact that it isn't his style PLUS, and this is pure coincidence, check out the front page of today's (10-17) USA Today. The article is titled "Passengers Turning Into Air Police: Board a jet and you might be asked to help subdue a terrorist"
It seems that my uncle's experience is more commonplace now that we thought. The article does answer one of my questions: why the pilot would basically admit that there wasn't a sky marshall on board. I figured that it would be best for the passengers to think anybody could be one, but the article points out that if the passengers don't know, then someone could claim to be one and take control of the plane. If everyone knows there isn't one on board, then there is no chance of impersonation. never thought of that.
check the USA Today today, troll busters.
I did think of the possibility that my uncle was just screwing with me, except for the fact that it isn't his style PLUS, and this is pure coincidence, check out the front page of today's (10-17) USA Today. The article is titled "Passengers Turning Into Air Police: Board a jet and you might be asked to help subdue a terrorist"
It seems that my uncle's experience is more commonplace now that we thought. The article does answer one of my questions: why the pilot would basically admit that there wasn't a sky marshall on board. I figured that it would be best for the passengers to think anybody could be one, but the article points out that if the passengers don't know, then someone could claim to be one and take control of the plane. If everyone knows there isn't one on board, then there is no chance of impersonation. never thought of that.
check the USA Today today, troll busters.
Oct 17th, 2001, 08:15 AM
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Great -- "Hello ladies and gentlemen, this is your Captain speaking. The weather is Orlando is sunny and 85 degrees. We won't be having a sky marshall on board today so if there are any large fat guys back in coach who want to guard the cockpit in exchange for all the peanuts and soda you can consume from the drink cart, please notify your nearest flight attendant."
Oct 17th, 2001, 08:53 AM
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Sounds like a plan to me! It certainly couldn't hurt to have physically imposing people in front of the cockpit. After all, the passenger can always decline to go up front. Personally I think we need all the help we can get and see nothing wrong with it. You never know, it may deter someone.
Oct 17th, 2001, 09:14 AM
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What if the "physically imposing" person they choose to sit up front, happens to later be the one causing the problem. He gets "air rage" or forgot to take his medication so he is mentally unbalanced? Now he/she is one step closer to the cockpit and has free rein.
Oct 17th, 2001, 09:17 AM
#13
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How 'bout this: when someone buys a ticket, they can submit an application to be flight protector (or something like that) and include whatever credentials they might have that would prove they could do the job. They'd also have to include enough info (and time) to let the FAA or airlines check them out. (sounds silly, but who knows!?)
Oct 17th, 2001, 09:33 AM
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Interesting article, Marc. I'm not sure how I'd respond to a pilot walking out with an axe!
Personally I doubt they would try to use planes again (certainly wouldn't if they read the article). We are all ready to do battle. Think I'll start taking my club's kickboxing class, which I've assiduously avoided, before my next flight and see if I can't get upgraded to 1st class. Would I have to kickbox my way down the jetway to highlight these talents do you think?
gt;
Personally I doubt they would try to use planes again (certainly wouldn't if they read the article). We are all ready to do battle. Think I'll start taking my club's kickboxing class, which I've assiduously avoided, before my next flight and see if I can't get upgraded to 1st class. Would I have to kickbox my way down the jetway to highlight these talents do you think?
gt;
Oct 17th, 2001, 09:36 AM
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anon, "what if"? What if anyone else on the flight is imbalanced or forgot their medication? None of the hijackers on Sept.11th appeared to be very big but look at the damage they did. I still think it's a good idea and obviously so do the pilots and airline executives who have a better perspective and made a concientous decision to do this. Don't you think they've thought this through and weighed the pros and cons? I actually think Stephanie has a good idea. I think there are a lot of people willing to get up there and help anyway they can. Why not take advantage of this?
Oct 17th, 2001, 09:46 AM
#16
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I just think giving everyday passengers the task of defending the cockpit is outrageous. Thorough background checks and training should be given to anyone assuming this task. My point is let's leave it to the professionals ( law enforcement personnel). Personally, I'm not comfortable with a ticket taker or pilot judging who is the best candidate to guard the cockpit!
