Certainally the knowledge that several passengers trained to defend just as the hijackers are trained to destroy would be a deterrent.
I think the world, certainly the western world, has changed.
We have had unrealistic expectations about what real security our security practices and technology can provide us. Truly this is the end of innocence.
Four aircraft appear to have been hijacked using the simplest of tactics - brutality and fear - using weapons that were simple and perhaps even allowable under existing practices and regulation. Shaving materials and knives used in warehouses everywhere.
From what little (and potentially unreliable) information is available to us, it appears likely the attackers were very brutal at the very beginning of their attack, in order to stun all aboard into submission.
I am also assuming that standard practice in dealing with hijacks is for the crew to urge calm and work to delay further harm to passengers in the hope that some better opportunity to deal with the situation (i.e. when the plane is on the ground) arises.
It seems to me that "defuse and delay" no longer will the be standard practice, given the gruesome outcome we all witnessed Tuesday.
It also seems to me that no longer can we, as individuals, assume that special technology, air marshals, airport security, or other such measures, will protect us from those that seek to inflict terror. After all, a determined person with a 50 cent blade can commandeer a giant aircraft.
The planners of this attack knew they'd have one chance to achieve their results, since the instability they sought to achieve will / *must* also change how we react in the future.
We must, of course, change our mindsets and become our own 'John Wayne' (insert your favorite hero/heroine) - and ride to our own rescue. We can't assume that there will be second chances.
I hope that we shall never see such events again, but if we do, lets hope that the 'innocents' involved are able to summon the courage required to defeat those who would seek to destroy.
Indeed, this attack marks the end of our innocence. |
