How to Beat a Hostile Threat on an Airplane

The average time it takes to end a physical altercation on land, sea, or air is 47 seconds. [Image](https://) Greetings Everyday Spy, In 2021, the Federal Aviation Administration announced a ‘disturbing’ increase in passengers disrupting flights. US air carriers reported more than 2,500 instances of unruly passengers. From druggies and drunks to mental health issues, many of these tense moments turned hostile, including passengers assaulting flight attendants and even trying to break into the cockpit mid-flight! In a normal year, FAA reports between 140-180 unruly passengers. That is an increase of 1400% in just 6 months! If you plan to fly for business, vacation, or family, I want you to know exactly how CIA officers train for violence or hostility during an airline flight. First – never let physical aggression be your first reaction! [Whether you are being assaulted or just witnessing an assault, your priority must be personal defense, not offense.]( In a standard aircraft seat you are protected on at least 3 sides at all times (from the back, the floor, and on one side). That means your most vulnerable point is your head and neck. Protect your head from direct assault using the clamshell defense pictured above. This pose should be almost instinctual to you, but your instinct isn’t totally correct. To perfect this head cover, push the elbow closest to your opponent up while sliding the same palm through your hair to the crown of your head. Put the palm of your other hand on your forehead with your wrist just above the bridge of your nose with your fingers together pointing toward your hairline. When you feel the crown of your head in one hand and your forehead in the other, you have maximum defensive coverage. An assailant attacking the clamshell defense will tire quickly without doing significant damage. And that makes them vulnerable to counterattack. Most likely, you won’t have time to launch a counterattack on your own. It will be initiated by other passengers, trained flight attendants, or a plain-clothes federal marshal onboard the plane. The best way to contribute to the attack is simply to hold your defensive posture until the threat is neutralized. If you are not the one being physically assaulted, the best thing to do is sit quietly and avoid eye-contact with the assailant. Recognize that you have been intentionally disadvantaged against launching a physical attack by the design and layout of the airplane. The seats, seatbelts, overhead storage bin shape, and even the width of the aisle have all been intentionally crafted to give the flight crew a mobility advantage in the event of a hijacking or hostile passenger. Let them use that advantage according to their training. Do not jump into a fight that could accidentally block the advantage the crew was designed to have. Teach the clamshell defense to your family and practice it yourself to make it fast and natural - it is useful in many ways, even outside an airplane. Remember that the plane was built around the crew, not the passengers. You’ve likely complained about airplane layout in the past – now you know why. The flight crew has every advantage in the event of a hostile mid-flight event. You do not. The average time it takes to end a physical altercation on land, sea, or air is 47 seconds. The clamshell defense will protect you well beyond that time. And your non-aggression will protect you for even longer. Spying is about gaining an unfair advantage. In an airplane traveling mid-flight, the human threat never has the advantage. And after reading this, you will. Godspeed, #EverydaySpy P.S. - [Give your loved ones the gift of safety with Taking Control: a Woman’s Guide to Women’s Safety.]( Follow @EverydaySpy on Social Media! [Facebook]( [Twitter]( [LinkedIn]( [YouTube]( [Instagram]( Andrew Bustamante, Founder of EverydaySpy.com, is a former covert CIA Intelligence officer, decorated US Air Force Combat Veteran, and respected Fortune 500 senior advisor. Learn more from Andrew on his Podcast (The Everyday Espionage Podcast) and by following @EverydaySpy on your favorite social media platform. This email was sent to {EMAIL}. Don't want to receive these emails anymore? [Unsubscribe]( EverydaySpy, 411 Walnut St. #20309, Green Cove Springs, FL 32043