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."

Comments

However, initial trials have failed.

[errxn]

To wit, the following was retrieved from the in-flight recorder:

Flight Attendant (FA): Umm, yeah, hieeee...

Pilot (P): Captain speaking.

FA: Yeah, there's like this guy who, umm...I dunno, he just kinda looks icky and, y'know, gross...

P: What's the problem?

FA: Ohh, gosh, I'm sorry, it's just...this guy, y'know, he's scaring me...

P: [sound of pages flipping] WHAT MA'AM IS HE A TERRORIST?

FA: Uhh, I don't think so...

P: [whew] Uhh...Lisa?

FA: Yeah! This is stupid.

P: I know, baby. We gotta do this, though. Just try to keep it up. Just another sec.

FA: I thought you said down in the bar that you were gonna show me how to play your rusty trombone.

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