ELECTION 99
US EDITION
COLUMNISTS
DIARY
SPECIALS
INTERVIEWS
CAPITAL BUZZ
REDIFF POLL
DEAR REDIFF
THE STATES
YEH HAI INDIA!
ELECTIONS
ARCHIVES

Search Rediff

Caught on a hijacked plane? Relax

Josy Joseph in New Delhi

What is the ideal way for a hostage to deal with a hijacking? According to experts though there are no concrete steps that can see a victim through a hijack, some precautions "are advisable."

The US State Department's 'Hostage Survival and Hijacking Survival Guidelines' list some of the dos and don'ts. The guidelines are broken into three parts:

*Precautions to be taken before boarding an aircraft.
*Your reaction when hijackers take over.
*Preparing for an ordeal as negotiations begin.
*Dos and don'ts during a rescue operation.

A traveller should make sure that his/her affairs are in order before undertaking an air journey. Special care should be taken to prepare an up-to-date will, insurance policy and a power of attorney for the spouse. If these things are taken care of, then the individual, in event of an hijack, can concentrate all of his/her efforts on the one thing of paramount importance - survival.

To increase one's ability to survive, the traveller must realise that there are certain dynamics involved in a hijacking and he/she must understand how these interacting forces affect the end result.

Each individual involved in an incident of this type will have an impact on the eventual outcome, and one wrong move by either a victim or a perpetrator could easily result in a disaster rather than a peaceful conclusion to the incident.

The first thing that a traveller should remember is that he/she is not the only one who is scared and nervous. The perpetrator too is in the same emotional state.

Fear can trigger a disaster, and it does not take much for some individual to set off a spate of violence.

Violence in a hijacked plane will be directed at the person(s) who are perceived to be a threat or a nuisance to the hijackers.

The physical takeover of the aircraft by the hijackers may be characterised by noise, commotion, and possibly shooting and yelling. It can also be quiet and methodical with little more than an announcement by a crew member.

The first few minutes of the hijacking are crucial, and during these moments one should stay calm and encourage others around to do the same. Remember that the hijackers are extremely nervous and possibly scared too. Comply with your captors' directions. If shooting occurs, keep your head down or drop to the floor.

Once the plane is taken over, the passengers are likely to be separated by citizenship, sex, race, etc. The passports may be confiscated and the carry-on luggage ransacked.

The hijackers may then enter into negotiations with concerned authorities, and the talks could last indefinitely. The crew may be forced to fly the aircraft to yet another destination. During the negotiations, the passengers may be used as a bargaining tool, lives may be threatened, or a number of passengers may be released in exchange for fuel, landing/departure rights, food, etc." This will be the longest phase of the hijacking.

The following steps should be taken during this phase:

*If you are told to keep your head down or maintain a particular body position, talk yourself into relaxing into that position. You may need to stay that way for some time.
*Prepare yourself mentally and emotionally for a long ordeal.
*Do not attempt to hide your passport or belongings.
*If addressed by the hijackers, respond in a regulated tone of voice.
*Use your time wisely by observing the characteristics and behaviour of the hijackers. Mentally attach nicknames to each one and notice their dress, facial features and temperaments.
*If you or a nearby passenger is in need of assistance due to illness or discomfort, solicit the assistance of a crew member first. Do not attempt to approach a hijacker unless similar assistance has been rendered by them for other passengers.
*If you are singled out by the hijackers, be responsive but do not volunteer information.

The last phase of the hijacking is resolution, be it by use of a rescue team or an agreement through negotiations.

The characteristics of a hostage rescue force introduction into the aircraft will be similar to the hijacker's takeover - noise, chaos, possibly shooting.

*If you hear shots fired inside or outside the aircraft, immediately take a protective position put your head down or drop to the floor.
*If instructed by a rescue force to move, do so quickly, putting your hands up in the air or behind your head; make no sudden movements.
*If fire or smoke appears, attempt to get emergency exits open and use the inflatable slides or exit onto the wing.
*Once you are out of the aircraft, follow the instructions of the rescue force or local authorities. If neither are there to guide you, move as quickly as possible away from the aircraft and eventually move towards the terminal or control tower area.
*Initially, even the passenger could be treated as a hijacker or co-conspirator by the rescue force. You will be treated roughly until it is determined by the rescue force that you are not part of the hijacking team.
*Cooperate with local authorities in relating information about the hijacking.

NIGHTMARE ON FLIGHT 814
The complete coverage

Tell us what you think of this report