Weapons & planes don't mix, so what could you use to take back a Hijacked flight?

[AKElroy]

I'm new to THR, so feel free to move on if this thread is overdone. I travel quite a bit. Prior to 9/11, I always carried a knife on the plane & really cannot stand to be weaponless when traveling. What legal, everyday items would you consider for defense on a plane? Are sharp, ruggedly made pens legal? Sharp plastic combs?

 

[hobgob]

Laptops could make good projectiles. seat cushions are removable, could be used as a shield to protect against sharp objects the assailants may be using to hijack. Could be used to shield your person while charging the assailant. IDK, just some ideas. Some people will no doubt find flaws.

 

[Jdude]

Lawdog has suggested in the past to use your belt with a combination lock on the buckle. Almost anything can be a weapon. On an aircraft, your best option is to get up at the same time a a dozen or forty other passengers and beat the hijacker to death with your bare hands.

Unless you are the hijacker. In that case, you better just sit down and shut up, because if I have to stop you I am bringing all of my buddies and an ass whoopin' with me.

All jokes aside, your tools on an aircraft are limited. Your finest weapon - your mind - will always be with you. When in doubt just headbutt someone.

 

[SDC]

Canes or pens would probably be pretty useful, but if I had nothing else, I'd probably grab a fire extinguisher off the bulkhead and feed it to someone; not too many people can shake something like that off (the several-pound chunk of metal in the face, I mean).

 

[nekwah]

agree with everyone else. most hijackings, like 9/11, the hijjakers had what, boxcutters? Not a very effective weapon. Like Jdude has said, beat them to death with your hands and hope they really dont have a bomb onboard. I read a fictional book where the character used fruit to take down hijackers, an apple i think, sounds very fictional but who knows it might work.

 

[PT1911]

shoes, belts (the lock thing is pretty good), a sock full of quarters(or any change for that matter) big jawbreaker in a sock (that is creative)...

thats just about all I've got.. will think on it some more...

 

[hso]

AKElroy,

We've discussed this very topic repeatedly here, as well as focusing on other areas where your typical carry weapons are not allowed.

We recently had a discussion of pens that were best suited to a SD role.

We've discussed water bottles/containers and their role.

Canes, belts, tools, keys, carabiners, etc.

As the venerable SM is known to say, "Software, not hardware".

Lee Lapin's sig is "Tool Set, Skill Set, Mind Set".

Others say, "The gun/knife/stick is the tool. Your mind is the weapon."

They all mean the same thing. Think, explore, observe and be aware of your surroundings and the people in them and look to what is at hand to apply.

Regardless, lots of reading here about what might serve as an intentional improvised weapon.

 

[06]

A plain old lead pencil held between the knuckles is a formidable punch weapon. Anything heavy placed in a sock becomes a literal "black jack" and can be used effectively. With your bare hands you can gouge eyes, teeth can take out jugulars/windpipes, and several determined people can take down most any assailant. wc

 

[Rupestris]

I travel quite a bit on business. This is what I carry on a plane:

Combining a couple of these items give you an effective "blackjack" and restraint devices.

Both of the bracelets in the first pic are made of 8' to 10' of 550 Lb test paracord. A 2' section combined with the SwissTech multi-tool from the keychain might make a functional defensive weapon if you use some imagination. As would the cable lock.

Pens are legal. So are soda cans, some knitting needles, chop sticks, keys, screwdrivers (check the TSA website for length limits) blunt scissors, and CD's.

With a little imagination, any can be used to harm an individual bent on taking a plane.

Personally, I think 9/11 ruined it for any would-be hijacker. Try to take over an aircraft today and most of the passengers would believe death is eminent. They'd do anything and everything to keep from being flown into a building. I think you'd have the support and cooperation of the entire flight when it comes to administering a thorough beat down on the first person to step out of line.

They're already PO'd at the "cattle car" treatment they received at check in, security and boarding. Then all the over-head bins are full. The guy next to you has some strange skin disease and won't shut up. A terrorist looking for an arse whupin' would be just the thing to break up the monotony. Especially if you have the middle seat near the rest room where the 350 Lb guy from row 6 just couldn't finish the 2 hour flight without stinking up the whole plane. He might end up with some collateral damage.

 

[X-Rap]

Surefire with a crenelated bezel, put a filter cap on it to cover the edge. Haven't heard of flashlight restrictions.

 

[poolsean]

What about throwing what just about EVERYONE has on their person, your cell phones! It would be like 0000000 buckshot.
Definately want to go for the head shot.

 

[KevinAbbeyTech]

Kubotan?

 

[Hans Esker]

Just looking at Rupetriss' picture:
Multiple fistloads, Garrote, rolled up magazine for striking tool, interrogation tool, bola, flail, and those are just off the top of my head. I cant figure what to do with the liquid from the batteries however, but it does have possibilities

 

[Hans Esker]

Fiskars has certainly taken Gerber in some odd directions

 

[TimboKhan]

I am 400 pounds of all man, so honestly, I would just use my enormous mass. If I run at someone and hit them, they are going to go down and it is going to hurt. It would need to be a pretty bad situation for me to do that, but that would be what I would do.

 

[earplug]

Seat Belt

I don't fly much anymore. I have wondered about how hard it would be to cut off a seat belt and use the belt and clasp as a weapon.

 

[TimboKhan]

I have wondered about how hard it would be to cut off a seat belt and use the belt and clasp as a weapon

Well, I guess my response to this pondering is this: If you had a knife or scissors that you could use to cut the seatbelt, why wouldn't you just use that as a weapon as opposed to the seatbelt and buckle combo?

Of course, that answer ignores the fact that you can't take a knife or scissors on board with you anymore, so I don't know what you could use to cut it anyway.

 

[Gordon]

Drink cart or some interesting stainless trays on food carts, you just need 200 pounds + of American push behind their edges.

 

[Diamondback6]

I nlike a line from Mas Ayoob: "Mr. Atta, I'll see your box-cutter and raise you three feet of American hardwood."

Age or a limp can sometimes have their uses...

 

[TAB]

Kubotan?

Not going to make it on a plane...

Anything and every thing you can think of is a weapon.

 

[DRYHUMOR]

I try to carry a metal pen and pencil set.

 

[bikerdoc]

I fly couple times a year and always try to think about this situation. Sometimes you get a seatmate you can rely on, some times not. Either way, observe, think, plan and hope you do not have to act.

 

[Carl Levitian]

Canes and pens would still be the best bet. On a crowded plane there will be no room to swing flexable weapons, but a cane will still block and lunge well.

 

[Limeyfellow]

earplug:
I don't fly much anymore. I have wondered about how hard it would be to cut off a seat belt and use the belt and clasp as a weapon.

I guess you could ask for a seatbelt extension. This gives you a good 18-24 inches of belt connected to a heavy ends.

 

[Nickjc]

www.rickhinderer.com

pen that doubles as a kubotan...tsa has no idea....have flown thousands of miles with it.....

but forget the weaon it is the mindset....AND training....

want a knife onboard....

take a cc....cut it on a diagonal....sand the edges....sharp as a knife...hide it in your wallet....