by Russell Eaton

Hijackings of aircraft are usually followed a pattern of negotiations between the hijackers and the authorities, followed by some form of settlement (not always the meeting of the hijackers’ original demands) or the storming of the aircraft to rescue the hostages.

It is roughly estimated that since the nineteen eighties, there have been about 25 skyjackings a year. (compiled from Criminal Acts Against Civil Aviation 1988 and 1989, and other sources).

Before 9/11, most airlines had a policy requiring the pilot to comply with hijackers’ demands in the hope of a peaceful resolution. Since then, policies have changed in favor of arming and strengthening the cockpit.

Options for preventing skyjacking now include screening of passengers and luggage to keep weapons off the airplane, putting air marshalls on flights, and equiping the cockpit to keep hijackers out.

Most skyjackers are, in fact, not political terrorists in the conventional sense. Skyjackings are mostly caused by people with mental instability and a strong sense of grievance. Some skyjackings arise from air rage incidents that get out of control.

Whatever the reason and motivation of the skyjackers, passengers and crew are nevertheless put at risk. This is so even if the cockpit is not overtaken and even when the aircraft is not in flight.

Here are the best ten things things you can do to help you survive a skyjacking.

1. Generally be aware of your surroundings at all times. When you are in an airport or aboard an airline, watch out for situations or activities that do not appear to be normal.

2. Report unusual activity. If you see anything in the airport or on an aircraft that looks out of place or otherwise inappropriate such as unusual behavior or potential security violations, inform someone in charge.

3. Make no assumptions about who could pose a threat. If someone is determined to carry out a violent skyjacking, realize that such a person or persons can be of any gender, age, or nationality. Therefore, do not assume that any particular type of person is likely to do harm simply because of outward appearances.

4. Become as low profile as possible. As soon as it is clear that a skyjacking is in progress, do nothing to draw attention to yourself. Stay quiet and be as invisible as possible. But remain observant in case there is an opportunity for escape, and work as a team with others if the need arises.

5. Always keep your seat belt fastened while you are seated. This gives you extra protection that you might need if the aircraft is put through unusual maneuvers or hits unexpected turbulence.

6. Listen to the flight attendants and watch them. The primary reason flight attendants are on an aircraft is for safety. If there is some kind of emergency or potential emergency situation, look to the flight attendants for guidance and help.

7. Everytime you travel become familiar with your aircraft. As soon as you are seated review the emergency safety instructions. Then count and memorize the number of rows to the nearest exits (toward the front or the back of the plane). Also make sure you understand how to use the seatback telephone service if such telephones are available.

8. Use a telephone if safe to do so. In an emergency, such as a skyjacking, use your mobile or the seatback telephone to alert the emergency services on the ground. But only do this if you can make the call without being noticed by the skyjackers. In the European Union the emeregency telephone number is 112. In the USA it is 911.

9. Make use of a camouflage passport. If your nationality is ‘western’, if your religion, culture or country (or even the sound of your name) could be associated with some kind of war or conflict, then you need to consider having a camouflage passport. You would only use the camouflage passport in the event of a skyjacking, and of course you would destroy or hide your real passport. You also need to remember to get rid of other items that may reveal your real identity.

Skyjackers are likely to collect all passports. Possession of a camouflage passport is perfectly legal since it is not a false passport and has not been used to commit any crime. To get a camouflage passport do a search on internet.

10. Work as a team. If the situation on the aircraft has the potential for danger, it is usually better to share information with crew members and the other passengers and to work together. Individual action, either during a normal emergency or during a hijack or other deliberate threat to the aircraft, is usually much less effective than a coordinated group action.

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