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0 pointselliekelly5y ago0 comments

What would happen if a pilot refused? My understanding is pilots have near total authority when operating an aircraft so if a pilot knew the “threat” stated was fabricated could they, in theory, just keep flying? Or even landed at a different, closer airport than the one specified?

To be clear, I don’t think pilots should be in a position to judge the truthfulness of ATF or the government they’re flying over and I don’t think pilot judgment is the “solution” to this loophole that has now been abused twice (that we know). I’m just curious about the process and what would happen if a pilot decided to call the bluff. Would Belarus (or whichever country) scramble fighter jets to force a landing? Would the pilot get in trouble? Is the answer different for a private flight vs commercial flight vs diplomatic flight?

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4 comments · 4 top-level

vbezhenar5y ago

I think that airplane will be considered captured by terrorists. If there's a danger of it being used as a weapon of mass destruction, it'll be blowed up to prevent more deaths. I don't think that it would be considered reasonable to blow up aircraft if it didn't present a danger to big cities.

So IMO pilot could ignore their requirements and I think that nothing would happen outside of angry transmissions. Especially if the plane was near border. But I don't think that it would be reasonable, especially in an airplane full of innocent people.

T-A5y ago

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Korean_Air_Lines_Flight_007

RegnisGnaw5y ago

That MIG-29 on their tail will help them obey.

JshWright5y ago

> to this loophole that has now been abused twice (that we know)

Twice?

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