NCJ Number
62368
Journal
AEROSPACE MEDICINE Volume: 43 Issue: 10 Dated: (OCTOBER 1972) Pages: 1118-1121
Date Published
1972
Length
4 pages
Annotation
PRACTICAL GUIDELINES ARE GIVEN TO ASSIST FLIGHT DECK CREWS, CABIN ATTENDANTS AND AIR CREW MANAGERS IN CONTROLLING THE IN-CABIN HIJACKER.
Abstract
ONCE A HIJACKER HAS GAINED ENTRY TO AN AIRCRAFT, AIRLINE PERSONNEL MUST MEET THE FOLLOWING OBJECTIVES: (1) PROTECT THE LIVES AND SAFETY OF THE PASSENGERS, CREW, AND HIJACKER, (2) PREVENT DAMAGE TO THE AIRCRAFT, AND (3) ACHIEVE THESE OBJECTIVES RAPIDLY AND WITH MINIMAL COST. THE HIJACKER SHOULD BE HANDLED IN A CALM AND RATIONAL MANNER, AND HIS CAPTURE, WHICH MAY LEAD TO VIOLENT ACTS THAT WOULD JEOPARDIZE FLIGHT SAFETY, SHOULD NOT BE A PRIME OBJECTIVE OF THE CREW. CREWS CAN ALSO LEARN TO REDUCE ANXIETY, COMMUNICATE EFFECTIVELY, AND ASSESS THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THEIR ACTIONS. MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION WITH THE HIJACKER IS ESSENTIAL FOR CONTROL. VERBAL COMMUNICATION SHOULD CONSIST OF SHORT, SIMPLE STATEMENTS, SHOULD BE CONDUCTED IN A QUIET AREA OF THE AIRCRAFT, AND EYE CONTACT SHOULD BE MAINTAINED DURING CONVERSATION. CONTROL BY VIOLENT ACTIONS IS SOMETIMES INEVITABLE AND THIS PROBLEM IS ALSO DISCUSSED. A SHORT TRAINING PROGRAM FOR AIRCREW, CABIN CREW, AND SENIOR SUPERVISORS IS OUTLINED. THIS PROGRAM IS DESIGNED TO ENHANCE THE ABILITY OF PERSONNEL TO ANALYZE THE SITUATION AND COPE BETTER WITH THE HIJACKER. TABULAR DATA AND REFERENCES ARE GIVEN. (MJW)