The Hijacking Protocol

The policy was simple: if someone attempted to hijack a plane, you followed their instructions. The idea was to avoid immediate harm by cooperating with hijackers, under the assumption that compliance would delay or prevent violence.

The Assumption of Safety

This approach was based on the belief that hijackers wanted to negotiate or demand something, and not to destroy the plane. The priority was to keep passengers safe by avoiding confrontation.

A Fatal Miscalculation

On 9/11, the attackers exploited this protocol. The hijackers knew that the crew would comply, allowing them to take control of the planes with minimal resistance. This was a loophole they leveraged with deadly precision.

The Unthinkable Happens

No one anticipated that the planes would be used as missiles. The idea that hijackers would crash the planes on purpose was not part of the security game plan. This unprecedented tactic led to catastrophic results.

A New Era of Security

The events of 9/11 changed everything. On September 12th and beyond, the policy shifted drastically. Pilots would never again relinquish control of the cockpit, no matter the threats or violence occurring in the cabin.

Absolute Control

Even if hijackers threatened or harmed passengers, pilots were now instructed to maintain control of the aircraft. The logic was clear: the plane going down takes everyone out, so the cockpit must be secured at all costs.

Beyond Physical Security

Security protocols now include rigorous passenger screening and reinforced cockpit doors. But the most significant change is the mindset: no more compliance with hijackers, ensuring such an attack can never happen again.

The 9/11 attacks exposed a critical vulnerability in aviation security. By learning from this tragedy, the protocols have evolved to ensure the safety of passengers and prevent such events from ever happening again. The heroic resolve of flight crews today stands as a testament to the lessons learned from that fateful day.

Stay tuned,

BREEFX ✨

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