Crime Prevention Information

What Should I Consider Suspicious?

Behavior Indicators

• Associate or relative of a known terrorist or extremist organization
• Seeks to pay cash for flight simulator sessions
• Threatening comments and threats of violence against the US or individuals
• Criminal activity and arrests
• Aviation knowledge inconsistent with alleged/reported flight experience
• No pilot's license
• Requests for specific or specialty simulator routes or instructions that are inconsistent with commercial flight (e.g., flying low altitude, disabling transponders in-flight, disabling cockpit door lockout procedures)
• Wears a crew member uniform or possesses employee credentials for an airline not listed on their resume
• Wears a crew member uniform of an airline without corroborating credentials
• Unfamiliarity with aviation terms or flight controls
• Students emphasizing accelerated completion of training
• Not affiliated with an airline, flight school, or known flight instructor
• Flight hours and/or resume inconsistencies
• Minimal flight experience in any type of aircraft
• Minimal experience in similar flight simulator
• Threats, coercion, or attempts to bribe trainers for certifications
• Seeks flight simulator sessions to deal with fear of flying or similar phobias
• Significantly altered appearance (shaving beard, hair color, style of dress)
• Burns on hands or body, chemical bleaching of skin or hair
• Nervous or secretive behavior, sweating, avoids eye contact
• Unemployed with little or no financial support
• Training sponsored by groups or agencies not normally associated with flying

Note: It is important to remember that just because someone's speech, actions, beliefs, appearance, or way of life is different, it does not mean that he or she is suspicious.

What Should I Do?

Be Part of the Solution

• Require valid ID from all individuals seeking flight simulator sessions.
• Verify training request documentation.
• Make note of suspicious statements, people, and/or vehicles.
• If something seems wrong, notify law enforcement authorities.
• Maintain appropriate records of training sessions, employment, and dismissal.
• Do not jeopardize your safety or the safety of others.

Learn What to Look For

Preventing terrorism is a community effort. By learning what to look for, you can make a positive contribution in the fight against terrorism. The partnership between the community and law enforcement is essential to the success of anti-terrorism efforts.

Some of the activities, taken individually, could be innocent and must be examined by law enforcement professionals in a larger context to determine whether there is a basis to investigate. The activities outlined on this handout are by no means all-inclusive but have been compiled from a review of terrorist events over several years.

Osceola County Sheriff's Office

407-348-2222