Would you help to restrain a possible "terrorist" midflight?

**nickel** · 09-13-2006, 09:56 AM

My question was prompted by this:

Jet passenger tries to open door in midair
POSTED: 5:27 a.m. EDT, September 13, 2006

CHANTILLY, Virginia (AP) -- A man wearing military fatigues and throwing punches into the air tried to open the exit door of a jet during a cross-country flight on Tuesday night, airline officials and passengers said.

United Airlines Flight 890 from Los Angeles landed as scheduled at Washington Dulles International Airport at 8:35 p.m., said Amy Kudwa, a Transportation Security Administration spokeswoman. No one was injured.

Ken Wolfenberger, of Whittier, California, who was on the flight, told The Associated Press in a telephone interview that he helped subdue the unruly passenger. The man wore patches on his fatigues with special forces and jujitsu champion logos, Wolfenberger said.

The man had been acting strangely for about 20 minutes, then sat up, wrapped belts around his hands and threw punches into the air, Wolfenberger said.

Wolfenberger said he heard a flight attendant yell for help and tell the man, "Sir, get your hand off the handle."

"Any time you hear a flight attendant shout 'please help,' you worry that something pretty bad is going to happen," he said.

Wolfenberger said the man was held down and punched by other passengers as he grabbed the man's leg. Air marshals then came and took custody of the man.

The passenger became unruly about 31/2 hours into the flight, said United spokeswoman Megan McCarthy.

"After the passenger was restrained, the pilot decided to land at Dulles," McCarthy said. "It wasn't an emergency landing."

Airport police and FBI agents met the flight and were interviewing the passenger, said FBI spokeswoman Debbie Wierman.

There were 138 passengers and six crew members on board, McCarthy said.

http://www.cnn.com/2006/US/09/12/fli....ap/index.html

So would you be one to step forward and take action or would you let others do it?

**ray** · 09-13-2006, 10:02 AM

I would let people swing me around like a weapon if it helped.

**JLemonjello** · 09-13-2006, 10:14 AM

I agree with the guy in the article- when the flight attendant is calling for help and you hear the word "handle", what good can possibly happen? I would have gone to see what was up and, if necessary, gotten my ass kicked. haha

**molecularfire** · 09-13-2006, 10:24 AM

I'd help. I live under the impression that if I want something done, I'm gonna have to do it myself. That way, anytime someone helps me out, I'm pleasantly surprised.

**MikeD** · 09-13-2006, 10:46 AM

No doubt. I would probably enjoy it, despite the fear that death could be knocking.

**cadetevon** · 09-13-2006, 10:56 AM

Originally Posted by MikeD

No doubt. I would probably enjoy it, despite the fear that death could be knocking.

I'm a black belt in taekwon do and I got some hand-to-hand training while in the US Army (served one tour of four years)... I'd totally get in on some of that a$$whoping.

**DarkFury** · 09-13-2006, 10:56 AM

Heh... free shot to kick someone's ass? Why not?

At least we'd know that they didn't have a gun... (if security has done their job properly.)

I might not know Karate... but I'm a black belt master at Ka-razy!

**BigJon** · 09-13-2006, 11:06 AM

Man...

First of all...this story almost reminds me of the episode of CSI from the first season where there was an unruly passenger who tried the open the jet door in midair and some of the passengers beat him to his death.

What prompted me to think of that is that in the show, the guy had a medical problem that was making him act "unruly". If I were on a plane where a passenger was "acting strange", would I help? I would try to figure out what was wrong with him...instead of instantly trying to subdue him and causing a struggle.

If you get a chance to watch that epidsode ever...you'll see what I mean.

**Mommypooh** · 09-13-2006, 11:19 AM

If I was on a plane and someone tried to take it down and my children were there, I would fight to the death, to protect my babies, I don't even have to think twice about that. I will kill anyone that would endanger my babies.

**ray** · 09-13-2006, 11:25 AM

Originally Posted by BigJon

Man...

First of all...this story almost reminds me of the episode of CSI from the first season where there was an unruly passenger who tried the open the jet door in midair and some of the passengers beat him to his death.

What prompted me to think of that is that in the show, the guy had a medical problem that was making him act "unruly". If I were on a plane where a passenger was "acting strange", would I help? I would try to figure out what was wrong with him...instead of instantly trying to subdue him and causing a struggle.

If you get a chance to watch that epidsode ever...you'll see what I mean.

I know exactly which episode of CSI you're talking about. While I agree beating the person to a bloody pulp wouldn't always be the right approach, when somebody is trying to open the latch to the door in midflight the only thing you can do to stop him is to subdue him with physical force. There is no way for any passenger or the flight attendant to make any other rational decision given the nature of his behavior and I am sure that given the circumstances it would be difficult for a doctor to diagnose any kind of medical issues that may cause such erratic behavior.

**chrissy** · 09-13-2006, 11:42 AM

Originally Posted by Mommypooh

If I was on a plane and someone tried to take it down and my children were there, I would fight to the death, to protect my babies, I don't even have to think twice about that. I will kill anyone that would endanger my babies.

While I understand your meaning and for you it is well and good , I would disagree.

If I was alone, without the kids, I would help with what I could, being finding something to tie him up with, to helping with alerting someone to help -- I am not trained to fight anyone but my sister

But if I had my kids with me, I would try and distract them. I wouldn't want them to see me or anyone else get hurt. My job at that point, I feel, would be to protect them from what is happening around them, pray if it got bad and to let them know that there is stability around them in the chaos.

**cadetevon** · 09-13-2006, 11:46 AM

Originally Posted by chrissy

But if I had my kids with me, I would try and distract them. I wouldn't want them to see me or anyone else get hurt. My job at that point, I feel, would be to protect them from what is happening around them, pray if it got bad and to let them know that there is stability around them in the chaos.

Good point Chrissy. I too would fight to the death to protct my son, but what you say makes total sense.

**MikeD** · 09-13-2006, 11:52 AM

I'd bring my boys along for the fight.

**gwilks98** · 09-13-2006, 12:07 PM

I'd be happy to help subdue a terrorist, but if I see him reaching for the door, I'm going to strap myself in in hopes I don't get ripped out of the plane. If I'm in the emergency row right in front of the door, game on.

It's not like he is going to take the plane down. He's just going to kill himself and anyone else free standing in that end of the cabin.

**nickel** · 09-13-2006, 12:25 PM

I'd be in without giving it a second thought.

**renovation** · 09-13-2006, 12:38 PM

im not sure what i do . i like to think i jump right in . but to be truthful . i dont know

i fly a lot and never been there .

**ryan_self** · 09-13-2006, 12:41 PM

Originally Posted by BigJon

Man...

First of all...this story almost reminds me of the episode of CSI from the first season where there was an unruly passenger who tried the open the jet door in midair and some of the passengers beat him to his death.

What prompted me to think of that is that in the show, the guy had a medical problem that was making him act "unruly". If I were on a plane where a passenger was "acting strange", would I help? I would try to figure out what was wrong with him...instead of instantly trying to subdue him and causing a struggle.

If you get a chance to watch that epidsode ever...you'll see what I mean.

I remember this episode, it was a case where several passengers inadvertantly smothered (and purposefully stomped on) the offender. There's a lot you can do between that and the other extreme of "nothing at all."
When someone indicates an interest and ability to take my life and/or those I care about, I attack and let the questions get settled later.

**bachviet** · 09-13-2006, 02:21 PM

Hell yeah!

**Nija** · 09-13-2006, 02:49 PM

It's not like they are going to be able to open the door.

**Prisoner 24601** · 09-13-2006, 03:12 PM

Like everyone else, I'd start beating the living feces out of those punks!!!

**Kevster** · 09-13-2006, 06:29 PM

Situations like this make me glad I know and study Judo on a regular basis. I'd have him 'restrained' (and possibly screaming) in a very short amount of time.

**cheapie** · 09-13-2006, 06:40 PM

while it's admirable to say you'd be restrained in that situation, i know how my adrenaline flows when i have to fight going ape on just my kids when they've done stuff like dump a can of paint on the floor, launched off the couch onto my computer, or micturated on my rug. i can't imagine how much more crazy i'd be if some dude was trying to open the door. once i started stomping, it isn't likely that i would only do so until i thought he was appropriately subdued. when that fight or flight instint takes over, it's hard to back down.

**ShawnLee** · 09-13-2006, 11:22 PM

I'd have fun with the beat-down. Not that it's the coolest thing to say or most restrained position possible, but dude. The adrenaline of that would probably drive me to start punching.

**Jane83** · 09-14-2006, 12:50 AM

if im menstrual, i can beat anyone up

**nickel** · 09-14-2006, 05:24 AM

Originally Posted by Jane83

if im menstrual, i can beat anyone up

how about when you're premenstrual? don't tell me you're a puppy dog then.

**faither** · 09-14-2006, 05:41 AM

I'm in and agree with those that unless there was a threat to the safety of the plane or other, I'd attempt to control and detain, not harm.

**cadetevon** · 09-14-2006, 08:30 AM

Originally Posted by cheapie

while it's admirable to say you'd be restrained in that situation, i know how my adrenaline flows when i have to fight going ape on just my kids when they've done stuff like dump a can of paint on the floor, launched off the couch onto my computer, or micturated on my rug. i can't imagine how much more crazy i'd be if some dude was trying to open the door. once i started stomping, it isn't likely that i would only do so until i thought he was appropriately subdued. when that fight or flight instint takes over, it's hard to back down.

Might I sugest some form of martial arts? I too felt the same way as you... but six years later... and lots and lots of hours on the mat, I've changed quite a bit.

**tailgater** · 09-14-2006, 09:32 AM

Originally Posted by nickel

My question was prompted by this:

http://www.cnn.com/2006/US/09/12/fli....ap/index.html

So would you be one to step forward and take action or would you let others do it?

I would definitely be one of the troubleshooters to come forward and help the person, in this case a Stewardess, asking for help. It's in my blood!

**molecularfire** · 09-14-2006, 10:27 AM

Originally Posted by Jane83

if im menstrual, i can beat anyone up

What is your excuse for the other 3+ weeks out of the month.

**Kevster** · 09-14-2006, 05:06 PM

Originally Posted by cadetevon

Might I sugest some form of martial arts? I too felt the same way as you... but six years later... and lots and lots of hours on the mat, I've changed quite a bit.

For me it has been over 10 years on the mat, and it's changed me greatly. I have a much greater awareness of what is going on around me, and I generally look for avenues of escape as well as possible targets, depending on the situation. I've said it before and I'll say it again: I love judo.

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