hijackers
Airborne vehicle captors
Hijackers are people who seize control of vehicles, especially aircraft, by force or threat.
The term emerged from truck and cargo theft but became associated primarily with airplane seizures: The hijackers demanded the plane be flown to Cuba.
By extension, hijackers commandeer anything—conversations, meetings, agendas: Budget hijackers derailed the entire discussion.
Those who commit wrongs
- conspiratorsSecret joint schemers
- accomplicesPartners in crime
- ringleaderChief organizer of wrongdoing
- fugitivesThose fleeing from law
operatives · terrorists · kidnappers · felons · convicts · outlaws · wanted · manhunt
Payment for captive's release
- negotiationDiscussion seeking mutual accord
- demandsForceful requests or requirements
- captivityState of being confined
- crisisDecisive dangerous moment
standoff · barricade · release · rescue · captors · mediator · surrender · deadline
Seize for official purposes
- overpowerDefeat by superior force
- subdueBring under control
- takeoverAssuming command of something
- forcibleDone using physical power
weapons · threats · coerce · control · storm · breach · overwhelm · neutralize
Powered flying machine
- cockpitPilot's control compartment
- pilotOne who steers aircraft
- flightAerial journey by aircraft
- takeoverAssuming command of something
passengers · aircraft · airliner · cabin · transponder · airspace · emergency · altitude
Intimidation through targeted violence
- extremismIdeology beyond accepted norms
- violenceHarmful physical force
- threatIndication of potential harm
- intimidationDeliberate fear-inducing pressure
fear · panic · radicalism · martyrdom · ideology · cell · plot · coordinated
perpetrators
Those who commit wrongs
- conspiratorsSecret joint schemers
- accomplicesPartners in crime
- ringleaderChief organizer of wrongdoing
fugitives · operatives · terrorists · kidnappers · felons · convicts · outlaws · wanted · manhunt · apprehension
ransom
Payment for captive's release
- negotiationDiscussion seeking mutual accord
- demandsForceful requests or requirements
- captivityState of being confined
crisis · standoff · barricade · release · rescue · captors · mediator · surrender · deadline · tarmac
commandeer
Seize for official purposes
forcible · weapons · threats · coerce · control · storm · breach · overwhelm · neutralize · disable
airplane
Powered flying machine
takeover · passengers · aircraft · airliner · cabin · transponder · airspace · emergency · altitude · radar
terrorism
Intimidation through targeted violence
- extremismIdeology beyond accepted norms
- violenceHarmful physical force
- threatIndication of potential harm
intimidation · fear · panic · radicalism · martyrdom · ideology · cell · plot · coordinated · attack
truck
Heavy freight vehicle
ship · cargo · driver · route · diversion · roadblock · pursuit · armed · robbery · getaway
- hostage takerskidnappers, abductors, terrorists, gunmen
- 9/11World Trade Center, Twin Towers, Ground Zero, September 11, Pentagon
hijackerspilots
Those who fly aircraft
captains · crew · flight crew · commanders · authorized personnel
hijackersrescuers
Those who save endangered people
liberators · air marshals · sky marshals · hostage negotiators · law enforcement
hijackershostages
Captives held for demands
victims · captives · passengers · innocent bystanders · prisoners
- browser hijackerProgram seizing web navigation