Violence in the Skies

Seminar on hijack and disruptive passenger management

Date:       8-11 December 2008
                with Hijack Exercise on
                8 December
Venue:   Amsterdam, The Netherlands

in association with KLM logo

Seminar Programme

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Violence in the Skies
 

Ever since the first hijacking in Peru in 1931, the aviation industry has had to grapple with the issue of ensuring security in the skies. We have had to respond to the threat posed by the asylum seeker wishing to hijack an aircraft to pastures deemed greener, by the terrorist determined to infiltrate an improvised explosive device onto a passenger jet, and by psychotic individuals who suddenly vent their anger at 33,000 feet. More recently the industry has had to develop procedures and technologies to mitigate the threat posed by the terrorist with suicidal intent

Despite all the technologies deployed and airport-based systems in place, the industry remains exposed. The reality is that one is more likely to be hijacked than to ditch at sea.
With this in mind, it is incumbent upon airlines to place as much, if not more, emphasis on the training of aircrew in security procedures and practices. Aircrew must recognise that they are part of the security web.

Disruptive passenger incidents are a daily occurrence plaguing the aviation industry. Flight attendants are the in-flight security professionals deployed to respond. Yet, it is still the case that the majority of the world’s airlines do not train their aircrew in the basic skills required to subdue a violent individual.

"Violence in the Skies" offers regulators and airline personnel responsible for procedural development and aircrew training an opportunity to meet, discuss and study potential responses to all unlawful acts perpetrated in-flight.

SEMINAR FORMAT
Green Light runs seminars on a range of different security topics. Most seminars are limited to 25 delegates in order that participants interact with each other and exchange viewpoints. Whilst Green Light instructors facilitate the programme, they also actively encourage audience participation.

"Violence in the Skies" normally runs twice per annum, once in Asia and once in Europe.

To reserve your place, please register using the secure online booking form. Alternatively, please contact us on Tel: +44 (0) 20 8255 9447 Fax:+44 (0) 20 8255 9446 or jolanta@avsec.com.

Standard Rate (payments by 22 July 2008): £595 +VAT where applicable* = £699
Late Booking Rate: £700 +VAT where applicable* = £822.50

*Only UK delegates and delegates from non-VAT registered EU companies attending the tour are required to pay VAT

COURSE MATERIALS
All delegates are given course notes, where appropriate, and certificates of attendance. We do not hand out soft copies (electronic) of the notes.

VENUE AND ACCOMODATION
Delegates will be expected to pay for their accommodation during seminar. Preferential rates have been negotiated by KLM. The seminar itself will be held in KLM’s conference centre.

CANCELLATION POLICY
All cancellations received less than 60 days before seminar will be liable for 50% of the seminar fee, 100% if the cancellation is within 14 days of the seminar commencement date.

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SEMINAR PROGRAMME*

Monday 8 December
HIJACK EXERCISE

Commencing after 16.00 and ending approximately 23.00.

Tuesday 9 December
13.00 – 17.30
EXERCISE DEBRIEF
SECURITY AND THE CREWMEMBER

Avsec History
From criminal hijackers through to suicidal terrorists, how have attacks against civil aviation changed since 1931? We look at a few events that have shaped the aviation security procedures we see in place today and then look at the incidents that have occurred since 11th September 2001 and consider the lessons for the future.

Modern Inflight Security Challenges
For years the industry has taught aircrew about concepts such as "Least Risk Bomb Location", yet given the nature of 21st Century terrorism, crewmembers now also need to know how to handle a suspect chemical or biological agent found in the aircraft cabin, let alone less sophisticated threats such as Improvised Incendiary Devices.

Disruptive Passenger Triggers
We ask ourselves how much we, as players in the industry, are to blame for disruptive passenger incidents? Whilst many are quick to cite alcohol or smoking bans as causes, there are other factors that may exacerbate a passenger's anger.

Wednesday 10 December
09.00 – 17.00
DISRUPTIVE PASSENGER WORKSHOP

Disruptive Passenger Triggers
We ask ourselves how much we, as players in the industry, are to blame for disruptive passenger incidents? Whilst many are quick to cite alcohol or smoking bans as causes, there are other factors that may exacerbate a passenger's anger.

Mindset & The Law; Restraint Techniques and Restraint Exercises
Around the world disruptive passenger incidents plague our industry on a daily basis. Ultimately, aircrew need to be equipped with the basic skills to enable them to successfully restrain an individual who compromises the safety and security of an aircraft. We demonstrate a few basic skills that all aircrew are capable of learning without resorting to fancy martial arts routines. These techniques can be reviewed before every flight as part of the pre-flight briefing

Thursday 11 December
09.00– 16.00
HIJACK MANAGEMENT

Profiling for Aircrew
Prevention is better than cure. With this in mind we consider how to prevent violence in the skies occurring. We demonstrate how to utilise the best passenger profilers of them all – the aircrew! How might they identify somebody that poses a threat to a flight? We consider the crewmembers ability to assess passenger behaviour and identify the "absence of the normal" and "presence of the abnormal".

Art of Questioning
Identifying the problem is only the first step in the profiling process; confirming and resolving it is the greater challenge. We look at how our latent communication skills can be used to confirm or clear a threat passenger.

Stages of a Hijack
How a 'typical' hijack progresses from the Intimidation Phase, through the Custodial Phase to Resolution, and a more detailed look at the syndromes associated with hostage taking incidents: Stockholm Syndrome, London Syndrome and John Wayne Syndrome. We also look at the management of incidents that do not fit textbook definitions.

Crew Role
What do we realistically expect of our aircrew when they are faced with a hijack? In discussion format, we consider how we should train our aircrew to respond to the nightmare scenario.

 

*This programme is subject to modification

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