How should we react to Extinction Rebellion Terrorists on Planes?
14 replies
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521303
521303
Member since 03 Jan 2012
Total posts 62
Given ridiculousness of the lawless events occuring mainly in UK and targeting means of transport, how to Frequent Flyers feel they should/would respond to an Eco-extremist trying to take control of an aircraft?
Please wait...
dm12
dm12
Member since 08 Feb 2018
Total posts 211
Ummm there's a big difference between an extinction rebellion protestor and a terrorist. Associating protestors with terrorists is poor form. I'm surprised the moderators allowed this post through.
People are allowed to protest, occasionally it causes a small disruption.
djtech
djtech
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 02 Sep 2018
Total posts 375
Labelling extreme protestors as terrorist does no good to either parties. Whilst climate change is a real issue, the way they are protesting about it certainly doesn't help their cause. Unfortunately, some feel that these protests are the only way to bring attention to the issues.
In any case, when encountering these people, I will respect their opinions but consider that what they're doing is illegal. From there, the appropriate authorities would be more apt in dealing with these types of situations.
mern2001
mern2001
Qantas - P1 Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 10 Apr 2013
Total posts 104
The original poster's para-political 'poll' really doesn't belong in this forum
mcs_095
mcs_095
Member since 06 Feb 2014
Total posts 9
'Terrorist' is a ridiculous term to use for these people. A right of protest is reasonable - despite how annoying some of their antics may be. They are most certainly not terrorists however.
This doesn't really belong here imho.
Nickj338395
Nickj338395
Member since 21 Aug 2019
Total posts 14
Authorities in all countries are best placed to deal with these events. Not travellers. That guy who glued himself to a BA plane at London City airport for example was taken care of by the police there. These things are like a match, burn brightly and then flame out. Aviation is looking at ways of reducing its carbon footprint but its not possible or feasible for a massive reduction in flying. We live in a place that is distant and aviation is our connection to the rest of the world.
markpk
markpk
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 29 Nov 2013
Total posts 459
I'm with dm12 - this is not a topic for Executive Traveller. It's borderline trolling.
nige00160
nige00160
Member since 07 Jan 2016
Total posts 64
Mirroring the comments of Mark and the other posters. Surprised that the moderator has not stepped in.
patrickk
patrickk
Qantas
Member since 19 Apr 2012
Total posts 736
The whole point of protests is to cause inconvenience whether it be a boycott or a sit in, or a march. Terrorism is about taking lives for a political cause. Quite different and not to be conflated or confused.
deanr
deanr
Member since 04 May 2015
Total posts 58
I can see this is posted in the BA area, no doubt in response to the idiot who decided to glue himself to the top of an aircraft, putting in danger those he had to rescue.
The same mob has also published plans to deliberately fly drones near or over airports to disrupt air traffic, including in Australia: a direct threat to hundreds, if not thousands of lives, by deliberately attempting to interfere with air safety.
When you march peacefully at an organised event, you're a protester, not a terrorist, no doubt about that. But when your actions are directly and deliberately putting the lives of others in danger, you're a terrorist and should be charged accordingly.
Let's be honest: if an aircraft engine ingests a large drone, the engine/aircraft catches on fire and causes the plane to crash, I'm sure the relatives of those lost would be demanding the person whose deliberate acts caused such a crash be held criminally responsible as a mass murder. Similarly, if an aircraft were trying to make an emergency landing for a medical reason but couldn't, because some muppet was flying a drone, and the plane had to keep circling or divert and the passenger died while waiting to land, guess who should also be held responsible: similarly if a plane ran out of fuel while waiting to land if it couldn't divert when multiple airports were disrupted.
Honestly, this is why we have laws. Not every stupid action results in people dying, but aviation laws exist for a reason, and those stupid enough to break them, particularly with deliberate intent knowing full well what the consequences could be, aren't merely "protesters".
521303
521303
Member since 03 Jan 2012
Total posts 62
Deanr, I agree. These extremists are intent on terror. If someone suddently stood up and began reading a sermon on an aircraft I was aboard, I'd be terrified. I think lots of others would be terrified too, specially if they couldn't quite see what was going on.
Taylor
Taylor
Singapore Airlines - The PPS Club
Member since 19 Mar 2016
Total posts 53
Terrorist really?
oldchinahand
oldchinahand
Member since 13 Sep 2019
Total posts 16
While I have some sympathy with some of their views this attempt at mob rule, destruction of public property, annoyance and inconvenience to the law abiding general public the disruption to public transport plus the fear and distress caused must be stamped on hard before it gets totally out of hand. They are of course terrorising the general public and as such the label 'terrorist' is 100% correct in my view.
The cost of policing alone is huge and overall the cost to the taxpayer is beyond belief and growing daily.
Jazzop
Jazzop
Member since 02 Dec 2016
Total posts 124
Originally Posted by 521303
Deanr, I agree. These extremists are intent on terror. If someone suddently stood up and began reading a sermon on an aircraft I was aboard, I'd be terrified. I think lots of others would be terrified too, specially if they couldn't quite see what was going on.
They are not intent on terror. They are intent on drawing attention to themselves and their message.
If they stood up, mid-flight yes, I could empathise with your view. But they're not. They are disrupting on the ground.
xtfer
xtfer
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
Member since 14 Mar 2017
Total posts 159
Frankly, I'm with the "eco-terrorists". Climate change is valid and pressing threat, and short-sighted trolling like that exhibited by the OP needs to be treated with the contempt it deserves.