Aviation safety

Monday. 04.09.2017

Every plausible threat results in landing

Cancelled, delayed, diverted flights: Bomb threats in recent months scare travelers - and significantly disrupt air traffic. How does the industry deal with this? We asked a pilot. On May 25, 2015, Whit Monday, it was particularly bad: Bomb threats came one after another, including against a Delta Airlines plane from London and a United Airlines plane that had taken off from Madrid, both heading to New York, as well as against planes from Air France, American Airlines, and Saudi Arabian Airlines. Although the ten threats received by the authorities later turned out to be "not credible," even American fighter jets took off that day to protect the passengers. Who actually decides how to handle a bomb threat against an aircraft in flight? We spoke to Philip Keil. The 33-year-old pilot, who works for a German holiday airline, gives lectures, advises companies on effective crisis management, and writes books. The World: What is the procedure in case of a bomb alarm? Philip Keil: If the informant's statements do not clearly indicate that it is a stupid joke, for example, if the statements are contradictory or illogical, every such threat must be initially classified as true. A crisis team set up by the affected airline then works with police experts. The crew is immediately notified. And if the threat can be verified, for example, if the informant mentions the location of the bomb, it is addressed first. If not, the pilots and flight attendants, in consultation with the experts on the ground, systematically follow a "Bomb Threat" checklist to minimize the risk of detonation. The World: What does that mean exactly? Keil: I cannot reveal details of this checklist, only this much: Bombs often react sensitively to pressure or temperature changes as well as to vibrations. Some of the measures are aimed at this. The World: Does this also include an immediate landing? Keil: Of course, we are talking about an immediate landing followed by a coordinated evacuation of passengers and crew. The World: So, every threat that targets an aircraft and sounds somewhat plausible results in an immediate landing? Keil: Yes. The World: How costly is a "hoax bomb threat" for an airline? Keil: This can range between four and high six-figure amounts, depending on whether intervention units come into action, accommodations for passengers and crew are necessary, and planned subsequent flights are delayed. The World: As a captain, you have "air police authority" on board, meaning you can, for example, handcuff passengers in case of imminent danger. Not everyone will accept that. Are pilots or crew trained in close combat? Keil: Flight attendants are familiar with basic self-defense techniques and handcuffing. Especially in security-threatening situations, it is a top priority that the crew knows how to help themselves and keep the cockpit door closed. The World: Can the crew seek help from other passengers to overpower unruly passengers? Keil: Flight attendants are even strongly advised to approach able-bodied persons, strong men of young and middle age among the passengers, if a passenger becomes physically violent towards the crew or other passengers. The World: In 2010, the District Court of Duisburg ruled in favor of a passenger who was denied boarding due to an "alcohol smell" by the pilot. The pilot had to cover the passenger's costs. Do you think that's fair? Keil: To evaluate that, I would need more details about the case. An "alcohol smell" alone is certainly not a disputable reason for refusing transportation, as this person does not pose a danger or unreasonable disturbance to fellow passengers. However, if this passenger also became behaviorally conspicuous, i.e., aggressive, abusive, motorically or verbally impaired, the pilot must refuse transportation to the passenger. The legal situation is clear on this. The World: Alcohol is often a problem on board. Should alcohol service not be completely banned? Keil: It's not that simple. In most cases, passengers who later cause trouble are already intoxicated when boarding. Any sanctions would have to take effect beforehand. So far, flight attendants on board decide when to stop serving alcohol. And that works quite well. The World: Really? Reading the newspapers, one might get the impression that many passengers forget their manners above the clouds. Do the low-cost tickets of budget airlines attract the wrong people? Keil: I wouldn't generalize that. I have personally experienced that supposedly better-off guests tend to think they have special privileges and can treat their surroundings and flight attendants condescendingly. Respect and decency are not a matter of bank balance. The World: What was the worst experience in your pilot career? Keil: I remember a passenger who boarded with a freshly applied cast on her arm. Due to the significantly lower cabin pressure during flight, the risk of unimaginable pain and permanent damage to the affected arm would have been too high, so we were not allowed to transport her for her own safety. However, the lady adamantly refused to leave the aircraft. It was only when I threatened to call airport police that she left cursing and even spat on the plane. The World: Besides the "air police authority," do you also have the right to marry couples on board? Keil: No, as much as I would like to bless lovers above the clouds. Pilots cannot perform a legally binding marriage ceremony. More information about our Top100 Speaker Philip Keil can be found HERE