Terrorists use violent means to exercise oppressive power over others. While many terrorists are not individuals acting under the color of state power and law, their actions nevertheless demonstrate a type of authority and control over the lives of others that few can dispute. Whether it is in the case of the 9/11 hijackers, or suicide bombers like Richard Reid or most recently, Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab, it is abundantly clear that passengers and crew now find themselves having to be agents of resistance against such oppressive power in rather short time frames.
In the case of United Airlines Flight 93, the passengers learned about the earlier events of the day (the crashing of three other planes into the Twin Towers and the Pentagon) and realized that if they didn't do something soon, their lives as well as those on the ground would be taken. Consequently, they attempted to storm the cockpit resulting in the hijackers opting to crash the plane rather than being captured.
Employing different means, Abdulmutallab just two days ago sought to detonate a bomb in flight, rather than hijack the aircraft. Due to a malfunction in the explosive's detonation, Abdulmutallab was instead engulfed in flames. This prompted Dutch film maker Jasper Schuringa to quickly attempt to subdue Abdulmutallab and with the assistance of other passengers put out the flames. Abdulmutallab was then removed to the first class cabin and confined until the plane landed.
Although factual differences surely distinguish the two situations, what is also abundantly clear is that passengers successfully subverted the power and objectives of the terrorists in question. They could have remained seated and allowed events to transpire.[1] Given the short time span and the (in)capabilities of the state to intervene (or have knowledge of what is transpiring), these circumstances demonstrate that individual and/or collective resistance may be one of the only practical means to challenge such oppressive authority as it arises in flight.
All said and done however, passengers should not have to be concerned about taking such action. They should be able to expect that equipment and personnel ought to detect and prevent such explosives from making it onto a plane.
[1] This is not to suggest that the passengers of the three 9/11 flights that crashed into the World Trade Center and Pentagon were negligent or deserving of their fate either. The reality is the passengers on United Flight 93 learned of the fate of their counterparts and decided to act. The passengers on the earlier hijacked planes were unaware of what was about to transpire. For all they knew, they were being taken hostage and the hijackers would reveal their demands to the government at a later stage. Furthermore, one cannot underestimate the incredible and crippling fear that terrorists can instill in a given moment.
Source:
In the case of United Airlines Flight 93, the passengers learned about the earlier events of the day (the crashing of three other planes into the Twin Towers and the Pentagon) and realized that if they didn't do something soon, their lives as well as those on the ground would be taken. Consequently, they attempted to storm the cockpit resulting in the hijackers opting to crash the plane rather than being captured.
Employing different means, Abdulmutallab just two days ago sought to detonate a bomb in flight, rather than hijack the aircraft. Due to a malfunction in the explosive's detonation, Abdulmutallab was instead engulfed in flames. This prompted Dutch film maker Jasper Schuringa to quickly attempt to subdue Abdulmutallab and with the assistance of other passengers put out the flames. Abdulmutallab was then removed to the first class cabin and confined until the plane landed.
Although factual differences surely distinguish the two situations, what is also abundantly clear is that passengers successfully subverted the power and objectives of the terrorists in question. They could have remained seated and allowed events to transpire.[1] Given the short time span and the (in)capabilities of the state to intervene (or have knowledge of what is transpiring), these circumstances demonstrate that individual and/or collective resistance may be one of the only practical means to challenge such oppressive authority as it arises in flight.
All said and done however, passengers should not have to be concerned about taking such action. They should be able to expect that equipment and personnel ought to detect and prevent such explosives from making it onto a plane.
[1] This is not to suggest that the passengers of the three 9/11 flights that crashed into the World Trade Center and Pentagon were negligent or deserving of their fate either. The reality is the passengers on United Flight 93 learned of the fate of their counterparts and decided to act. The passengers on the earlier hijacked planes were unaware of what was about to transpire. For all they knew, they were being taken hostage and the hijackers would reveal their demands to the government at a later stage. Furthermore, one cannot underestimate the incredible and crippling fear that terrorists can instill in a given moment.
Source:
"Airline attack suspect's dad warned U.S. officials" The Toronto Star (27 December 2009) online: The Toronto Star .
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