Scenario I:

[Steve M]

I don't have time to read everyone's responses but, as for the scenario, somebody had better sit down at the controls; what's the worst that happens -- the plane crashes, anyway?

That was kind of my attitude... The plane is going to be coming out of the sky, it's either going to be aimed at a runway when it does this, or land in what-ever-there-is-there. All you can do is the best you can do.

But how are you going to get into the cockpit.....for the 1000th time of asking.

Matt

Cabin doors are easy.
If "two burly men" had one brain between them, they would wait untill the opportunity arises. Such as a washrom break
or a steward taking a coffee into the cabin. I've noticed that on every flight I've ever taken. There should be another bulkhead and door between the passengers that is secured when the cabin hatch is opened. That bulkhead would be just aft of the forward passenger exit.

[DaveSims]

IF the situation ever arose, that I could make a difference, this is what I would do.

1.  Get in the seat and strap in.
2.  Make sure every thing is stable, autopilot on etc.
3.  Notify ATC, advise of the situation.
4.  Request vectors to the nearest VFR airport (don't want to shoot an IFR approach on my first try)
5.  Get vectors for either a ILS intercept or a visual straight in approach.
6.  Land the plane

From my experience in the MD-11 simulator, a basic understanding of autopilot controls, gears, flaps, and throttles is all you need to make the landing.  With a little coaching from ATC regarding finding the airport and airspeeds, it really isn't that difficult to do.  When I got to fly the ATR and MD sims at AA, I was still in high school and hadn't gotten my license yet, but I had no problems taking off, flying around the city, and returning for an uneventful landing.  The majority of the systems on the aircraft you simply wouldn't need to mess with.

[beaky]

It's an airplane, it wants to fly, and being a modern airliner, it's quite stable and designed to be relatively easy to land.

I think anyone who has pulled it off in even a non-certified sim would have a good chance of making a survivable arrival, provided they minded the speed, and put aside any worries about breaking something on the airplane or damaging airport property.

I'd sooner try to land a 747 without previous training in make and model than a Pitts...

[Mazza]

Well, If they HAD Knifes, they would probably threaten to kill the stewards or open the door, then an altercation could arise. I would also:

1. Sit down and slap myself
2. Contact ATC and 'em what has happen
3. Do flying stuffs
4. More flicking of random switches (Non important ones)
5. Land
6. Help everyone OUT OF THE PLANE (As most likely it will be a sorta crash landing)
7. Go be a hero!

[Fozzer]

Well, If they HAD Knifes, they would probably threaten to kill the stewards or open the door, then an altercation could arise. I would also:

1. Sit down and slap myself
2. Contact ATC and tell 'em what has happened
3. Do flying stuffs
4. More flicking of random switches (Non important ones)
5. Land
6. Help everyone OUT OF THE PLANE (As most likely it will be a sorta crash landing)
7. Go be a hero!

Congratulations, Mazz!... [smiley=thumbsup.gif]...!

The Pilot's job is yours.

(Salary to be negotiated).

Paul... ... ...!

[TacitBlue]

I'm not concerned with fame or being a hero. After it's all over, the only thing I would ask for is that the airline hire me as a mechanic. The way my job search has been going, it wouldn't surprise me if that's what it will take too.

[Mazza]

Well, If they HAD Knifes, they would probably threaten to kill the stewards or open the door, then an altercation could arise. I would also:

1. Sit down and slap myself
2. Contact ATC and tell 'em what has happened
3. Do flying stuffs
4. More flicking of random switches (Non important ones)
5. Land
6. Help everyone OUT OF THE PLANE (As most likely it will be a sorta crash landing)
7. Go be a hero!

Congratulations, Mazz!... [smiley=thumbsup.gif]...!

The Pilot's job is yours.

(Salary to be negotiated).

Paul... ... ...!

Hahaha!

And the hero thing was kinda of a joke, but everyone would probably label you as a hero 

[ViperPilot]

Mazza wrote:

Hahaha!

"And the hero thing was kinda of a joke, but everyone would probably label you as a hero."

That is, until after all of the hoopla died down, the FCC contacted you, interviewed you, and then hit you with a steep fine for impersonating a pilot, or violating flight rules, or something like that.

[WebbPA]

It's not exactly a 737 but How A Pilot's Death Created Heroes

[quote]It was Easter Sunday last year and Joe Cabuk, the pilot of a chartered plane carrying Doug White of Archibald, La., and his family, suffered a heart attack and died soon after takeoff in Florida.

White is certified to fly single-engine planes, but not the twin-engine turboprop he was aboard

[tcco94]

This has always been a dream of mine and I wish one day it would happen so I can be the hero!

You wish one day terrorists are one your plane and kill your two pilots?

What type of wishes do you make Jordan!?!