An interesting read Jeff.
I would take issue with one point though, the part that implied that the people on 3 of the planes didn't have the balls to fight. There is no telling what happened up there.
It is one thing to fight when you know the terrorist is intent on killing everyone on board, but it is another to risk the lives of everyone aboard (possible bomb)when the orginal intent was to hold the passangers captive just long enough to draw attention to a cause. Did the passangers know which situation they were in ? Unlikely as this type of tactic had not been used before.
I think my mother said it best, even though she is squeemish at the best of times, she commented that if she knew that the hijackers were on a suicide mission and that there were children on board, she would fight tooth and nail even if it meant her own death if it gave the young ones a chance. Proud of you mum.
Hijacked with knives & boxcutters???
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riverworld
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Yog,
I also took issue with the articlist's obvious view that the folks in the "other" planes perhaps didn't do enough.
I would NEVER, EVER dare to presume what another should or could have done under those horrendous circumstances.
I believe that likely, these hostages were made to think that this was just a "usual" hijacking where there would ultimately be a controlled landing, demands for money, etc. and that they all had a reasonable chance for survival and a great deal to lose by resisting.
I suppose that never again will people be at all sure of this scenario, in a similar situation.
I did think that the author's idea for a well armed group of passengers was a comforting thought, though. I guess you'd probably then need an airplane with a Kevlar-lined fuselage.
Jeff/1911.
Edited by - Jeff/1911 on 9/16/2001 2:43:03 AM
I also took issue with the articlist's obvious view that the folks in the "other" planes perhaps didn't do enough.
I would NEVER, EVER dare to presume what another should or could have done under those horrendous circumstances.
I believe that likely, these hostages were made to think that this was just a "usual" hijacking where there would ultimately be a controlled landing, demands for money, etc. and that they all had a reasonable chance for survival and a great deal to lose by resisting.
I suppose that never again will people be at all sure of this scenario, in a similar situation.
I did think that the author's idea for a well armed group of passengers was a comforting thought, though. I guess you'd probably then need an airplane with a Kevlar-lined fuselage.
Jeff/1911.
Edited by - Jeff/1911 on 9/16/2001 2:43:03 AM
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Gatekeeper
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- Location: Wisconsin USA
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Gatekeeper
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- Location: Wisconsin USA
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Rory Quinn
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When I flew back fom NYC on saturday night, I didn't really expect any trouble, but I couldn't help but be more than alert.
As regards weapons on hand etc. I was sitting two rows from a former member of the Irish army. We had met by chance in the airport and had discussed (idly) hijacking scenarios to kill time (there was a seven hour total delay). If something did happen, I figured I wouldn't have to go it alone and we'd both had some training.
I hadn't been stopped from taking onboard my maglite, which can serve as a fair CQB weapon. Also still had my heavy leather belt with it's buckle, I guess. There were a number of things which could have served as bludgeoning weapons from small fire-extinguishers to oxygen breathers (one of the passengers was ill).
My main concern would have been what if the terrorists bluffed us: i.e 'This is a bomb, we have no knives. But come closer, and we'll blow this plane up.'
Unfortunately, there would have been no option but to call their bluff and risk it. N
As regards weapons on hand etc. I was sitting two rows from a former member of the Irish army. We had met by chance in the airport and had discussed (idly) hijacking scenarios to kill time (there was a seven hour total delay). If something did happen, I figured I wouldn't have to go it alone and we'd both had some training.
I hadn't been stopped from taking onboard my maglite, which can serve as a fair CQB weapon. Also still had my heavy leather belt with it's buckle, I guess. There were a number of things which could have served as bludgeoning weapons from small fire-extinguishers to oxygen breathers (one of the passengers was ill).
My main concern would have been what if the terrorists bluffed us: i.e 'This is a bomb, we have no knives. But come closer, and we'll blow this plane up.'
Unfortunately, there would have been no option but to call their bluff and risk it. N