From: Black Unicorn <unicorn@schloss.li>
Date: Mon, 4 Mar 1996 09:27:25 +0800
To: Bill Frantz <frantz@netcom.com>
Subject: Re: Duress
In-Reply-To: <199603032311.PAA16326@netcom7.netcom.com>
Message-ID: <Pine.SUN.3.91.960303191805.8425A-100000@polaris.mindport.net>
MIME-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain


On Sun, 3 Mar 1996, Bill Frantz wrote:

> At  2:49 PM 3/3/96 -0500, Dr. Dimitri Vulis wrote:
> 
> >As a side remark, every burglar alarm connected to a phone that I've ever seen
> >has this feature: a code that one can type under duress that will both turn
> >off the alarm and call for help. I wonder how many users will remember this
> >code when under duress.
> 
> The air-transport system has had a Hijack transponder code for years.  The
> pilot dials it into the air traffic system radar transponder when the plane
> is hijacked.

Of course, all smart air piracy buffs know the transponder code is 7600, 
and refuse to allow the pilots to use it.

> However there is a problem.
> 
> One of the private pilot magazines reported that a small plane operator
> used the code (because his airplane was, in fact, being hijacked).  When he
> landed the airplane, it was surrounded by LEA, and in the ensuing gun
> battle, everyone on the airplane died.  The went on to say that the safety
> of the passengers and airplane are the pilot's primary responsibility and
> that pilots should consider this incident when deciding to use the code.
> 
> Duress codes need to be designed to minimized the chance of such responses
> when they are used.
> 
> Regards - Bill
> 
> 
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
> Bill Frantz       | The CDA means  | Periwinkle  --  Computer Consulting
> (408)356-8506     | lost jobs and  | 16345 Englewood Ave.
> frantz@netcom.com | dead teenagers | Los Gatos, CA 95032, USA
> 
> 
> 

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