Today's entry in the "reasons why flying is becoming an unpalatable option for more and more people, including myself" contest.
Now come a commercial pilot and two law-enforcement officers with this book, guaranteed to frighten the shit out of anyone who reads it.
Said pilot Mark Bogosian, one of authors, "Passengers need something to help them be prepared, and information on how to defend themselves is just too valuable to not provide."
"The information contained in this book might very well help save your life one day," the book promises in its first sentence.
The authors assembled the material in September 2002 for consideration as a federal cockpit and cabin defense manual. At the time, the authors said the material was intended only for pilots and flight attendants.
The book has been since modified for easier reading by passengers. But much of the material, including some crew defense tactics, remains unchanged.
I'm decidedly unimpressed by the value of this book. I mean, at security they take away from you everything that might conceivably be of use to defend yourself. What're you gonna do in extremis, hit the perp over the head with the book?
Oh, and I don't recommend trying to carry this book onto a plane: you might find yourself explaining why you have it. Don't check it in your luggage either, for that matter. In fact, don't buy it. Go see a movie or two instead.
Article comments
1 - Jim Carruthers
So, is this like, "Air Rage for Dummies"? Because if I would go berserk on an airplane, I would really want to read the manual first.
Anyways, everywhere I need to go, I have to take the bus. Which, if you get out of hand, they just leave you by the road.
2 - Tommy Hamilton
As co-arthur of "Never Again", it sounds like you have not read the book. What, are you afraid to take action against someone who is about to kill everyone on board? Read the book then comment. Jim, sounds like you got a good head on your shoulders, email me and I will send you a copy. It adapts to all modes of transportation. Go see a movie? Are you serious?
3 - Jim Owens
What form of "Extremis" measures do these Blogged-down critics believe terrorists deserve or it takes to protect ourselves from their horrific terroristic acts. Extrapolate from that the information, security and self protection measures that the average citizen must now take. It has become the obligation of each and every one of us to become the best informed members of society and start bearing more responsibility for our own security and well being, and to educate inform or enlighten those who are not. We can not relegate that to our schools, police force, the military or our government at any level without our personal participating, doing our part, our "fair share", and keeping ourselves informed as much as possible about the situation.
That is our charge in this current.
world situation.
JEO...
4 - Devin Willis
I have been in the bussiness of protecting people and their families for many years
I would recommend this book as good self-defense instruction manual for flight crew. However, not for the
Lay person who has little time or interest to continue to train in
It does include some generally good advice for normal passengers, but overall it was a disappointment in this area.
5 - Kenneth Herman
When my child was nine months old I was holding him cradled in my arms while a stranger attacked me with a crow bar striking me 11 times on the upper body landing 5 blows to my head. My child suffered no injury but I am scarred for life. If I only had the abilty to defend myself I could have prevented the attack. So now I search for methods to protect myself and I sell stun guns and pepper spray for those that may need to help themselves that are unable to take martial arts because of disability or other reason.. My store is SecurityDefenseOutpost.com and my name is Kenny