RE: In-Flight Violence

Robert Bor (R.Bor_at_city.ac.uk)
Thu, 28 Jan 1999 17:21:11 +0000

I agree with all the points. We have to recognise that the demands
of the (piloting) job have evolved and that air rage is now a more
frequent and serious problem for which some specialist training is
required. Unfortunately, most training emphasises restraint and
control (and sometimes includes the help of flight deck staff, which
is very dangerous). Very little is taught on how to de-escalate
potentially volatile situations. Instead of being street-wise and
trying to avert crises, some crew still think it a reasonable goal
to out-argue the pax or convince them that they are wrong. While
this is understandable, we should focus more on standard violence-
averting interventions, and then wait until we're safely on the
ground before calling in the specialists (police etc.). The mission
must remain to maintain safe flight and reduce risk rather than win
an arguement at all cost. I know that some may feel that this is
naive, but I regularly observe (and supervise) intelligent people
falling into the trap and mismanaging a situation that need not have
deteriorated.

Robert Bor

Professor of Psychology
City University
London EC1V OHB
England
> To: crm-devel_at_db.erau.edu
> Date: Wed, 27 Jan 1999 17:21:03 EST
> Subject: RE: In-Flight Violence
> From: "Philip G. Collier" <birdstrike_at_juno.com>
> Reply-to: crm-devel_at_db.erau.edu

>
> Dr. Graham R. Braithwaite states:
>
> >Aviation is such as complex system that evolution in one
> >area means new problems in others. e.g a spin off from
> >2-pilot aircraft is that in events of in-flight violence, it is
> >probably not a good idea to send one of the pilots back
> >to help out!
>
> What you said. Among airline people discussing the issue of
> diruptive passengers, the idea of sending one flight crewmember
> back to "fix the situation" causes more than a little distress.
> It would be a bad deal if the PIC went back and was incapacitated
> by one of the "3 percenters" who can't be talked out of violence.
>
> One captain advised me (a first officer) that he could reach the gear
> and flap handles okay, and that we needed a flight engineer to "work
> that damn panel." Therefore I would be the one to go back. Without
> any real training in dealing with disruptive pax, my approach was to
> "do unto the others before they can do unto me, then let any survivors
> call a lawyer." Fortunately the situation cooled down before my help
> was needed. But imagine how the safety margin is reduced on a two
> pilot airplane if one crewmember doesn't fare well back there and is
> incapacitated.
>
> One friend (a deadheading FE) went back to break up a brawl last
> year, and when he opened the cockpit door found a surreal scene of
> ALL passengers out of their seats and at least one person in midair.
> A virtual Jerry Springer show at FL370. So what is the risk to all of
> the pax if a few disrupters take the cabin? They certainly hinder a
> safety system depending an all crewmembers being fully functional
> in their roles.
>
> It sure would be nice to have some skills in avoiding a violent situation
> aloft in addition to the usual hostage/hijack skills currently covered in
> airline training. Last Superbowl Sunday I was on a flight that diverted
> to
> Denver due to some drunks that wanted to start a brawl, picking an
> armed FBI agent as the prime target. He was skilled in dealing with
> violence-prone persons and prevented what could have been a really
> nasty situation. There was a lot of cursing and provocation, but he
> didn't take the bait. Anyone else may not have been as disciplined.
>
> Finally it came to one option: restrain the perpetrators and get them
> off the plane.
>
> What do crews learn in typical groundschools?
>
> 1. Keep violence off the plane.
> 2. If on board, keep it out of the cockpit.
> 3. Keep it on the ground.
> 4. Don't lose the plane for want of a cabin...
>
> Not too much emphasis is focused on pragmatic ways of getting
> drunks and irates to settle down before things escalate out of
> control. I suspect no one wants to deal with the resulting legal
> hassles that follow these events. The pax don't, and neither do
> the crews.
>
> Hope this stirs some good discussion,
>
> Phil
>
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