Captain Jim Futcher

[speedbird591]

This is an interesting obituary of a very brave VC10 Captain involved in one of the Palestinian hijackings of the 70s.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/obituar ... tcher.html

It illustrates how the risks of terrorism were rather different in those days. As crew, we were always aware that there was a constant threat of hijacking but the most likely outcome for us would be a few days of discomfort and fear. I remember telling my family that they shouldn't worry if I got hijacked because I'd be OK and just be a few days late home!

The terrorists were willing to execute individual passengers, as in this case, but generally they selected American or Israeli passport holders. Martyrdom hadn't become fashionable and I remember a safety briefing at the time where we were told that the odds against somebody carrying a bomb on board an aircraft on which they were flying were so astronomical as to be negligible.

Although it was something I often thought of at the time it never happened to me so I don't know how I'd have behaved. But I remember being in awe at the actions of Jim Futcher who willingly walked out to a hijacked aircraft and risked his own life in an attempt to save others.

Ian

[ianhind]

Ian

I read that obituary in the paper last weekend. But I thought I would leave it to someone more involved in the industry to comment on it. As indeed you have, most eloquently.



Ian

[speedbird591]

Thanks, Ian. I'd missed the obituary at the time, but I've just read a tribute to him in the British Airways News. Although I flew with Captain Futcher a couple of times, I was only a junior steward and would not have socialised with him! But I do remember his actions fuelling my thoughts for many years. If I were in the same situation would I have done the same? I like to think I would, but I'm probably kidding myself. Few of us are ever asked to test ourselves to that degree, are we?

Ian

[FlyTexas]

A true hero. Rest in peace Captain Futcher.

Brian