Michael Thexton

Absolutely ridiculous.

And so, you know, with the hand luggage at my feet, my knees are in my chest and my hands up in the air.

And people sat in the aisle because there weren't chairs for everybody.

And we had this strange moment or extended moment where I was thinking, this is very frightening, but...

people get off hijacks you know i was telling myself stay calm make yourself inconspicuous do what you're told people will go home i could be one of those people now making myself inconspicuous in a large red duvet jacket is you know it's a bad start but so what i had to do what i felt i could do i could i sank as low as possible in the seat i brushed the panama hat off my head so it was in my lap and so now they could only see my hands above the seat

And I told myself it will be all right.

And I think a couple of other things about that.

There were some announcements.

There was an announcement by a female voice that I immediately realized was one of the flight attendants.

And she said, ladies and gentlemen, the group responsible apologize for any inconvenience caused.

Their argument is not with you.

They do not wish to hurt anyone.

But if you make any sudden movement, you will be shot.

And this was an extraordinary thing.

I mean, and through the day, they made announcements.

They were always made by the flight attendants.

They always started, ladies and gentlemen.

And sometimes it was, ladies and gentlemen, we're going to bring around some coffee.

And sometimes it was, ladies and gentlemen, if you do this, you will be shot.

But it was always in the same tone, the same polite, calm tone, which I think kept everybody calm.