Monarch flight intercepted by French Fighter Jet

Hey guys and dolls. Wasn't sure where to put this so please move if needed

This happened on Monday, however I have not seen anything posted here on it. It's nothing amazing but I thought it would be nice to let you know Also, it's a good example of how over-dramatic some people are, including the media.


Source


On Monday, Monarch Flight ZB983 from Madeira to Birmingham lost contact with French ATC, which then scrambled a fighter jet to intercept the craft.

By the time the jet caught up to the flight, communications were re-established and the flight landed as normal. No drama...

Apart from the fact that it has been classed as "Mid-air Terror". Really?



"It was right by our window. It was so close you could see the pilot. It seemed to follow us and there was a small amount of panic – everyone on our plane stood up to have a look. Some people were anxious. My husband asked if the pilot would make a statement but he didn’t speak to us during the whole flight. We fly that route several times a year and it’s very unusual. One of the stewards said it was a French Army service and another said it was doing a recce. We are frequent flyers and we had never seen anything like it."

– Caroline Regan, passenger


I understand that seeing a jet fighter next to your plane IS NOT normal. However, surely by now the majority of people should know it is standard routine if the slightest of issues has occurred. Sure, the flight could have been hi-jacked but I can't help but feel that most of the time people would know about it. I.E crew going crazy trying to get into the cockpit etc.

I imagine the pilot didn't make a statement because he was not allowed to? **Maybe someone in the know could clarify my personal guess here?**


Just my opinion. But it's a bit dramatic. I used the source I used because they actually play down the incident. I also saw this on DM website, and as usual they thought the world was going to end haha


Anyways, nothing to go mad over, just my opinion on something.

a reply to: brace22

"Ladies and Gentlemen, this is the captain. Out the left side of the aircraft this morning you will see a fighter jet that is going to shoot us down if he thinks we are being hijacked. Don't panic, we are not being hijacked."

a reply to: intrptr

I cant imagine how I would react to hearing that!!!


Out of interest, do you have any know-how on pilot protocol in regards to communication to passengers in an event like this? I did a quick Google search, but I can't really find much. Maybe I am not searching correctly.

a reply to: brace22


Their policy is its better not to say anything. Making an announcement could start panic, potentially threatening the aircraft.


Especially, "Don't Panic."

a reply to: intrptr


Makes sense. "Don't panic" lol!

The less we know the better right?

a reply to: brace22

Right. Aircraft in flight and ships at sea can't just pull over. Like in Titanic, they issued life jackets, but didn't say we are sinking, report to the boat deck.

On aircraft in flight who have lost communication with the ground, it is suspicious until they confirm whats up. or restore communications, whichever comes first.

In the case of the fighter intercept, the pilot of the jet has to confirm 'eyes on' whats going on, the only way he can do that is come along side, close enough to see in the plane.

That surely is disconcerting to passengers, but better than explaining, "theres some problem with the plane". So they say nothing, because anything coupled with a visible fighter escort off the wing will be misinterpreted by somebody.

Just by the by, did anybody else notice the scrambled fighter got there to interdict in case of a problem? Unlike 911, when they were latecomers and sent out to sea.