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Wireless Devices Could Foil Hijack Attempts

ErikPeterson writes Flight attendants soon may be outfitted with wireless devices that would be used to alert pilots of attempted hijackings or other in-air security threats. The Federal Aviation Administration said Wednesday that it plans to require that airlines provide a way for the cabin crew to "discreetly notify" pilots "in the event of suspicious activity or security breaches in the cabin." The proposed regulation, which is not yet final, grew out of an advisory panel that the Transportation Department created after the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. That panel recommended that cabin crew have "a method for immediate notification to the flight deck during a suspected threat in the cabin" that would permit pilots to take appropriate action, such as beginning an immediate landing."

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  1. Ground Breaking! by Mateito · · Score: 5, Funny

    Cool. So this is the first real-world implementation of Wi-Fi-Fly-Hi-Ji technology!

    1. Re:Ground Breaking! by Alien+Being · · Score: 5, Funny

      At first I thought you were a marketing genius, then I read the subject.

  2. Re:Flight computer overrides pilot's commands by Quiet_Desperation · · Score: 4, Funny

    PILOT: Oh, crap! Hijackers.
    COPILOT: Switch on the computer control.
    PILOT: (flips switch)
    COMPUTER: Would you like to play a game?
    PILOT: Oh, crap!

  3. Alternative Solutions by Quiet_Desperation · · Score: 4, Funny

    Air marshals putting bullets in the heads of potential hijackers can foil them, too. :)

    Why bother with potentially cranky technological solutions when extreme violence works better, and is much more satisfying?

    Remember: violence is the last refuge of the incompenent... because the competent don't leave it until last. :D

  4. further uses by johnny+cashed · · Score: 4, Funny

    Could this also notify the flight crew of impending airline bankruptcy?

  5. This just in by JVert · · Score: 4, Funny

    "Hold up there skip, I.. i'm getting an email. Oh my god! we're getting hijacked! Wait. No, I got another one that says we're ok, it was a joke. Wait! another one! this one... hey skip? Can we drop by Nigeria? Aparently this guy has 10 million dollars and he'll give us half if we just help him get it out of the country. Ha! you gotta see this one, aparently Cathy stole Ausies lunch and is ripping her a new one via bluetooth! Hey is that a mountain ahead?"

  6. Re:Not so bad... by erroneus · · Score: 5, Funny

    Then they could use some other means... say, a device that would measure the wetness of the wearer's underwear. If they piss themselves, it could set the alarm off! I'm not sure what you would call this technology, but I suppose it just *DEPENDS* on the creator. ;)