If I'm on a plane that's being hijacked and I can get a call out, WHO DO I CALL?

Question

In an emergency situation on an aircraft, if I can get an Airfone to work, WHO DO I CALL to alert authorities on the ground to help?

Answer 1

The emergency number.

However at the risk of sounding defeatist...in a hijacking, you would be better for your own sake and the sake of your fellow passengers to NOT make phone calls...if the hijacker(s) is/are looking for provocation...a phone-call from something so obvious as an Airphone is most likely to create that...hijackers do and will go to any measure to ensure control and would not hesitate to injure or possibly kill you...

Unfortunately, too, there is not a great deal ground-based authorities can do to help a hijacking. Problem is, short of shooting down the plane - they can't get on board and detain hijackers...and if the aircraft does land somewhere (say, the hijacking is not 9-11 style, but PLO style) then the hijackers will want outside contact - to let the world see what is happening on board...so authorities will be alerted.

For everyone's sake, the best thing to do is more or less sit tight and be quiet - unless it is apparent that the plane, say, is to be used as a weapon. But if it's being returned to an airfield...that's different. Pilots have ways of discreetly alerting ATC of the problem - usually through selecting the code 7500 on their radar transponder - which sends an encoded signal to the radar screen on the ground, alerting of hijacking - this is generally confirmed by the controller calling the plane in question and asking something indirect such as "confirming assigned code?" - and if the reply is in the affirmative or there is no reply...then hijacking is assumed. That way...there is no obvious alert!

Answer 2

Since 911, the cockpit doors have finally been secured. (On aircraft that are U.S. registered, or land in the U.S.) While there is still a possibility of a hijacking, the odds are lower.

If you just happened to be on a hijacked aircraft, there isn't anything a person on the ground is going to be able to do.... other than give the order to shoot you down.

Don't worry, there are measures in place that you aren't aware of, and won't be posted here either.

Answer 3

Call either a close friend or relative and tell them the flight number, airline, and as much else as you can about what is happening, and tell them to call 911. Or call a Airphone operator and they will handle the situation and contact the proper authorities.

Answer 4

Call 911

Answer 5

Just tell the Airphone operator. 911 calls from an Airphone won't go though to a 911 call center.

Answer 6

Try 911, first.

Then call your house or work so you can trust the person on the line to believe you. The best place to call would be a place that has several phone-lines available so you could stay in contact with the person you called while they, or someone else, dialed the proper authorities.

The last thing you want to happen is for someone to hang up on you!!!!!!!!

Answer 7

Depending on where you are and what carrier you have 911 my not work. For instance Virgin Mobil has no 911 system so you would be SOL. I would call someone I knew and that would answer, give the the info and hope for the best!

Answer 8

Forget making a call, grab the cushion from under you to use it as a shield. Then grab the halon fire extinguisher and fire it as the perpetraters face. Once he's down, beat the living $hit out of him with the empty bottle. Then notify the flight attendant that they'll need a body bag when you land for his lifeless a$$!!

Answer 9

Call 911.

Answer 10

Ghostbusters