This presentation is on crewmember Use of Force and establishes for crewmembers the legal justification and guidance for using physical force aboard an airliner.

During this presentation we will take a serious look at violence aboard aircraft, unlawful use of force, reasonable force, development of a use of force policy, variations in policies, escalation of force, considerations/factors, seeking medical aid for those you may have injured, managing a use of force incident, restraining a violent passenger, lethal force, flight deck officers and report writing.

One of the many questions facing the airlines is how to properly and legally direct flight crews in the uses of self-defense while protecting themselves against the civil liabilities of an un-necessary use of force by a crewmember? Prohibiting or discouraging crewmembers from acting in self-defense is also fraught with legal potholes and labor discord. This is not an issue that will be resolved by issuing company directives or making the issue extremely complicated for crewmembers. Crewmembers need clear, concise, and easy to understand procedures that makes sense. As in any policy, law, or other directive that appears self-serving, irrelevant, lacks direction or purpose will be probably be disregarded by the average crewmember.

Airlines need to give policy guidance to their flight crewmembers on the defensive uses of force by providing the training necessary to fully understand the scope and limitations on any use of force. With a codified escalation of force, crews should begin to understand the importance of beginning at the lowest possible levels of force when confronted with a potential incident.