Free Modus Operandi by Mauro V Corvasce Page A

category also includes persons who cannot afford the airfare so they skyjack the plane! This type of skyjacker flew mostly between 1961-1972, but is still a possibility, especially in today's tough economy.
    The Mentally Unbalanced Person. This type of skyjacker will use any method to attract attention. They can prove that they can be an effective human being by commandeering airplanes, or so they believe. The skyjacker also feels that he can start anew by gaining fame and glory. In short, this type of person is plagued by mental, emotional and social problems and seeks wide publicity to offset personal failures in life.
    Political Terrorists. These criminals skyjack planes or sabotage them in the air, but they have also attacked airports and used any form of disruption or hostage-taking that would enable them to put the pressure on governments. This type of air piracy for protest is often used for political blackmail. Perhaps the most widely known are the actions of the Palestinian Front for the Liberation of Palestine, but other groups have skyjacked including the Black Panthers, the Japanese Red Army, the Croatians, the Armenians and Sikhs. This type of skyjacker will usually use either implied or actual bombs to threaten those on board the plane.
    Escaping Criminals. These persons and others with criminal backgrounds use skyjacking to escape trial or prosecution. Also included in this group are criminals being transported from one area to another within the United Slates who hope to escape and avoid their current sentences.
    Extortion. In recent years, skyjacking attempts for profit have become common. On numerous occasions they have included the robbery of individual passengers as well as ransom demands to insure the safety of the airplane passengers and crew. They can be categorized as Jesse James skyjackings. In 1972 there was one seventeen-week period in which there was a skyjacking every single Friday. The last day of the work week became known as "Skyjack Friday." It took a great deal of effort and severe prison sentences to bring this category of skyjacking under control. This type of skyjacker is not considered to be as dangerous or as deadly.
    Religious Fundamentalists. In 1982, skyjacking of aircraft by Islamic Fundamentalists began. During the next two years, seven skyjackings were engineered by the Shiite Muslims in Lebanon. There were also numerous skyjackings to and from Iran during the civil war between the religious and secular forces of that country. These type of skyjackers are ready to die for their cause and innocent Western passengers are of no particular concern to them. This type of skyjacker is considered one of the most dangerous.
    Bomb Saboteurs. Bomb saboteurs are new and deadly to air piracy. The saboteur is a clever technician who plays the role of the hidden brain behind some of the most devastating skyjack schemes and is never found at the scene of the crime. From his concealed headquarters, whether it be his living room or his place of business, the saboteur sends lethal weapons of destruction onto planes full of passengers. Sometimes these deadly instruments are carried by their own people, but more often they are placed in the luggage of a passenger who boards the plane unaware. The advent of plastic explosives and their use against airplanes has caught airplane security by surprise, giving the bomb saboteur an enormous advantage. He is an evil genius who is challenging air security as never before. The most recent type of skyjacking involving this type of criminal was Pan Am Flight 103, which exploded over Lockerbie, Scotland.
    Vessels and Aircrafts
    Pleasure boats are nice toys that many wish they could have. Sometimes, people purchase them even when they can't afford a boat. Eventually, payments become delinquent and they have to get rid of it. So, what do they do? They can hire someone to steal it, take it to a marina, and send it to a boat chop shop. All usable parts are removed and