A United Pilot's Instructions Dear Family and Friends, This story appeared in John McCaslin's "Inside the Beltway" column in the Washington Times, Sept. 20, 2001, page 5A. I am sending it to everyone in my AOL address book as a "blind copy" because I found it such an inspiring story. I don't know about the rest of you but I fly a lot, and this story really empowered me, especially since its source was a pilot. Why CAN'T we Americans take back the skies? I refuse to live in fear. I apologize if you receive this post twice. Some of you are in my address book as individuals as well as in a "group" list in some cases. I can't seem to send it to everyone at once, so I will stagger its sending. Peace and safety to each one of you in all you goings and comings. Karen Alexander Editor of The Biedlers of Virginia Independent Quilt Historian The article: Over the airplane's public-address system came a most incredible announcement from the Captain of United Flight 564 as it was about to pull out of the gate at Denver International Airport last Saturday (Sept. 15), writes Peter Hannaford, a public-affairs consultant in Washington and former adviser to President Reagan. "I want to than you brave folks for coming out today," the pilot began. "We don't have any new instructions from the federal government, so from now on, we're on our own." The passengers listened in total silence. "Sometimes a potential hijacker will announce that he has a bomb. There are no bombs on this aircraft and if someone were to get up and make that claim, don't believe him. If someone were to stand up and brandish something such as a plastic knife and say, 'This is a hijacking' or words to that effect, here is what you should do: "Every one of you should stand up and throw things at that person - pillows, books, magazines, eye glasses, shoes - anything that will throw him off balance and distract his attention. If he has a confederate or two, do the same with them. Most important: get a blanket over him, then wrestle him to the floor and keep him there. We'll land the plane at the nearest airport and the authorities will take it from there. "Remember, there will be one of him and maybe a few confederates, but there are 200 of you. … Now, since we're a family for the next few hours, I'll ask you to turn to the person next to you, introduce yourself and ask them to do the same." The end of this remarkable speech, Mr. Hannaford says, brought sustained clapping from the passengers. End