My Flight Was Hijacked

DR Rawson • Dec 24, 2021

Once again, the kindness of one man made a difference.

This is a true story. This happened to me.

December 3, 1984 — Kuwait Airways Flight 221 was hijacked…

I was working as the President & CEO of an International Oil Field Services company. On November 3, I left California to travel around the world. The trip would take me to London, Scotland, back to London, Leon France, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Abu Dhabi, Qatar, Singapore, Indonesia, Mylashia, back to Singapore, Hawaii, and then back to California in December 23. This was going to be one of my most exciting trips ever.


On November 26, 1984, I arrived in Kuwait, coming from Saudi Arabia. I went directly from the Kuwait city airport to the work camp in the Kuwait desert. On December 2, my Agent’s Chauffeur dropped me off at the Hyatt Regency in Kuwait city. Working in a desert environment for a week was exhausting. A lot of time was spent on the sand. Sure, there there was a tent. But, the conditions of the heat, wind, and long hours take a toll.

Just fifty yards from my tent was millions of dollars worth of equipment drilling a very deep well. After a quick shower and a bit of dinner, I decided to call my family. I realized that the kids hadn’t left for school. It was a call that lasted about 30 minutes.


The following day, I woke up early. I showered and shaved, and when I was dressed, I repacked my luggage, then went to the lobby and checked out of my room.


I secured a limo and went straight to the airport. I checked my bags and then walked out to the loading area on the tarmac for flight 221. I could see my extra bags on the luggage cart beside the plane. In addition, I was carrying a briefcase and one carry-on piece. I was third in line to board the plane. I had my boarding pass and passport outside of my suitcase to efficiently present them when requested.


Out of the corner of my eye, I saw a limo driving fast toward our plane. At first, I feared the vehicle was out of control. Then I saw the royal seal on the side of the limo. I now recognized the man hanging out of the front passenger side window. It was my Agent’s bodyguard yelling for Dr. Rawson, Dr. Rawson. Soon, the limo was parked, and the rear passenger side window was down. My Agent was also calling my name, Dr. Rawson, Dr. Rawson.


The Chauffeur and bodyguard found me at the head of the line. One of them asked if I had any additional luggage. I pointed to my luggage with the red I.D. tags sitting on the cart. There was a real sense of urgency in their voices. The two of them walked quickly over to the cart. Then they grabbed my luggage and ran back to the trunk of the limo.

They asked me to take my briefcase and carry on and proceed to the limo. Then, get into the back seat where my Agent was waiting for me.



On December 3, 1984, my flight from Kuwait was hijacked. People lost their lives. Two Americans died, others as well. There were more lives at risk.


When I entered the limo, my Agent said, “Praise be to Allah that we were able to get to you before your flight took off.

We have a problem at the camp (by the drilling site), and we need your expertise.” I said, “So, after spending a week out there, you want me to go back; of course I will. You should know that this is going to cause some real travel issues.

Did they tell you what the problem is?” My Agent said, “DR, you know I don’t control day-to-day activities. The President and the camp manager from Australia asked for you.” I said, “Thank you, I appreciate what you’re saying. I’m looking for information that I can begin working on, so I’ll be ready when we get there.” He said, “We can all relax now, we have you, and I’m sure you’ll figure it out when you arrive at the camp.”


I said, “However, I was headed to the UAE to meet with its President and Oil Minister. Here are the favors I need from you and your staff. Please get in touch with the office of the President of Abu Dhabi and let them know why I wasn’t at the airport when his staff arrived to pick me up today. Then, explain that once I arrive back at the Hyatt Regency, I will personally call his office and make the appropriate arrangements.


Once we were clear of the airport, we started talking about his other businesses, expanding our business with him, his family, and mine. We stopped by his home before proceeding to the camp. I had never been there. It looked like a smaller version of the Royal Palace. We had lunch, the three of us (the Bodyguard, my Agent, and me).


He gave me a brief tour of the great room and then the dining room. Before lunch was prepared for us, my Agent explained that the large table we would be using once belonged to his father. He used it for formal state dinners he hosted on behalf of Kuwait’s Emir (think King). He said the table would seat up to 36 people, depending on how it was used. Since there would be the three of us, we would use it as his own family does each day. In that configuration, it would seat 20. I remembered that his father passed just after the Emir died.


Our tour also included one of the four restrooms closest to the great room. I remember noticing that all the fixtures were made of gold, and the floors were white marble.


When lunch was over, the Chauffer was asked to drive me out to the camp. And, he asked him to stay with me until I was settled into the tent.


When we arrived, we were met by the camp manager. He came over and said, “Really hate to do this to you, mate (he was Australian), but one of our men solved the problem we were having.

Our company President asked if you would be so kind as to stay in his tent? He’s very sorry that we had to call you back so urgently. It’s the biggest tent off to the left. I’ll have one of my men escort the both of you over there. The President also has two staff members that are always available to you, as well. Just let them know what you want to eat, and they’ll have it prepared for you. They’ll get you whatever you need.” I said,” Thank you.” Please pass on my appreciation to the President.” He said, “Absolutely.”


The following day, the limo was waiting for me at 6 am. It was a bit over an hour to make it back to the Hyatt Regency in Kuwait City. Once there, I showered, looked at my watch, and realized the kids might be home from school. So I decided to give them a call.


My wife picked up the phone. After she knew it was me, she said, “Thank God you’re alive.” I said, “Of course I am. But, wait, what happened?” Through her tears, she said, “The kids have been watching the drama of your hijacked flight play out on international T.V.”


She went on to say that my flight had been hijacked just before takeoff. They landed in Abu Dhabi.” She said, “There were two big Americans that were killed and tossed onto the tarmac.


I spent the next hour and a half reassuring each of the kids, and my wife, that I was safe. But, unfortunately, there were still two more weeks before I arrived back home. It was very traumatic for us all.


I had scheduled myself to be on the next flight to Abu Dhabi. But unfortunately, my Agent never called them to tell them I had been detained a bit longer. So when I arrived, there was no one to greet me, and I was on my own trying to figure out the hotel and travel arrangements. Awkward, but doable. International travel, especially in the middle east, is always subject to current events.


When I finished in Abu Dhabi, I was off on another adventure. This time, we made a brief stopover in Qatar and then on to Singapore. We were on time for the celebration of their nation’s separation from Malaysia in 1965.


I arrived back in the U.S. on December 23. I had been thinking a lot about the hijacking. More people lost their lives, and the flight eventually wound up in Tehran. The hijackers were never brought to trial.


I sent a Telex (predates email) to my Agent in Kuwait. It was marked personal and confidential, it read THANK YOU!

On Christmas evening, a member of our team arrived at my home with a Personal and Confidential Telex. It read YOU ARE WELCOME!


One person cared enough to make sure I wasn’t involved in the hijacking. Frankly, it’s unlikely that someone would do that for me. He did.



Once again, One person made all the difference.

What would you say to a Veteran

By DR Rawson • 20 Nov, 2022
You can address your comment to one or millions since 1964.

Yes I Am A Mason

01 Jul, 2022
Admiration, that’s how it began for me. My parents died at age 42 and 44 respectively. At 19 years of age, I would begin my family with a wife of two years, a 15-year-old brother, and a 13-year-old sister. The only person older than me was my Grandfather. He called me to say that I was not alone. He told me to rely on prayer. He also said, anytime I didn’t know what to do (next), give him a call. I did. Over the ensuing years, there were many calls. There were more in the beginning and less as my family, including my siblings, grew to eight (for a time). My Grandfather said, “When you call, I will give you the principle upon which to make a decision. Make no mistake, the decision will be yours and yours alone.” When he was 87 he called me from Lake Isabella where he was living. I was living in Bakersfield, CA, and was reasonably close to him. I was forty minutes away. He said, “DR, I need you to pick me up today and take me to the hospital.” I asked why, knowing he would tell me in his own time. When I arrived, he was packed and quickened his pace to get in my car. He was not a man of many words. However, on the way to the hospital, he became “chatty Kathy.” He had so much that he wanted to say to me. He could hardly speak fast enough. Included were instructions, words of wisdom and so much more. Just before we pulled into the hospital's parking lot, he stopped talking and waited for me to park. Once parked, he said, “Will you become a Mason?” I said, “You know I’m running a business that covers three states. I hardly see my wife and kids now. Why would I take on more?” Here’s what changed my life. He said, “You know all of those principles and values we’ve discussed over the years? I said, “Of course. They have made me a better man.” He said, “How would you feel about becoming a Mason if you understood that the principles and values I’ve shared, have all come from Masonry and or the Bible?” I said, “There’s no doubt, I will be a Mason.” Then he went on to tell me that he had been a Mason since he was 21 years old. How And Why I Became A Mason My wife and I met and spent the next two weeks asking deep questions. You know the ones. The hard questions you think to ask just before you get divorced. Neither of us wanted to fail, again. Our marriage has lasted almost twenty-eight years. It’s because when we committed to each other, we knew what we were getting and what we each wanted. One of those deep questions from me to her was, “My Grandfather asked and then committed me to become a Mason. I don’t know how, but, is that a problem for you?” She said, “No problem here.” I thought great, now I just have to find out how. We’d been married about a year when I told my bride, “I’ve been thinking a lot about my Grandfather and becoming a Mason. Are you still O.K. with that? The next thing she said caught me off guard. Her words were, “Why don’t you call my Dad? He’s been a Mason since 1954. He joined the original Hollywood Lodge. To my surprise, my Father-in-law, Preston M. Jones, PP, 33, PM was well known in California Masonry. He had been an Inspector for the Grand Lodge for over twenty years. He was the El Bekal Potentate in 1981, Master of the International City Lodge in 1982, President of the Scottish Rite Charity in Long Beach, CA, and Master of the Robing Room for more than twenty-five years. It didn’t take long. I asked him to be one (a Mason). Then the process began. I learned so much more than my Grandfather had led me to understand. It wasn’t long before my Father-in-law (Dad) and I were always present at Masonic activities and with our wives. July, in California, is dedicated to letting others know you’re a Mason and why. I hope this story was helpful. See you on the square.

What Makes You Happy?

By DR Rawson • 16 Apr, 2022
What Makes You Happy?  Quick, list five things (that are not food).

At Times, All I Did Was Travel

By DR Rawson • 16 Apr, 2022
At Times, All I Did Was Travel  One of many life lessons learned while traveling.

Family Crest and Coat of Arms

By DR Rawson • 28 Mar, 2022
DR Rawson Family Crest and Coat of Arms

American Football

By DR Rawson • 23 Mar, 2022
I've just completed my third back surgery.

My Best Friend's Best Decision

By DR Rawson • 27 Feb, 2022
My Best Friend's Best Decision

Why I Write

By DR Rawson • 20 Feb, 2022
Why I Write Why Do You Write

One Should NEVER Write about RRP

By DR Rawson • 20 Feb, 2022
One Should NEVER Write about RRP It's also said that we shouldn't talk about it in public. Race, Religion, and Politics Growing up in the 1950s and 1960s in America, there were some rules that everyone was expected to follow. Unfortunately, if everyone followed those rules, we would never see real change in America. When I was growing up in the 1950s, I was so busy living life and breaking rules that it never occurred to me there was a rule. Race, Religion, and Politics were three topics you were never supposed to talk about or write about without people getting very upset. As a homeless kid at nine and ten years old (in the fifties), my sister and I went to the only school we could. Except for a few teachers, everyone was Hispanic but us. Our blonde hair and blue eyes made us look decidedly different than everyone else. As life changed, so did schools. We weren't homeless, however, we were still living in the poorest part of San Diego. Our middle school was all African American except for my sister and me. In each case, we thought it was normal, different but normal. Today, I couldn't be more grateful for my early childhood experiences. I had learned about poverty firsthand, but, it was in high school I also learned what it meant to be a different race. In high school, fifty-five percent of us were Jewish. Twenty-five percent were Hispanic. The rest of us were almost anything. We had East Indian, Indian, Muslim, and first-generation kids from Italy, England, Australia, Scotland, France, and then there were the rest of us mutts. I found out that I'm of English and that my lineage is as far back as the fourteenth century. That's a story for another time. At age forty-six, my first wife and I divorced. It was months before I decided to date. It was 1991 and I was so confused. The last time I dated anyone was in 1965 just before I entered the military. In October of that year, I married my first wife. We all know that there are so many choices. Personally, I've never had a belief in racial differences. My accidental and UnLikely upbringing almost ensured that I wouldn't. Here are the choices that I saw before me, white like me, and so many shades from where I was to a very dark rich chocolate. All of that was available to me. Then there are the additional considerations of age, height, and weight. So many choices. My first date came as I was explaining my sense of confusion to a beautiful young woman. She was five feet ten inches. She was also (from my perspective, much younger than me). She asked the question, "So, how do you like being single?" I expressed my sense of confusion with all the choices before me. I shared the information I've just shared with you. Then, I said, ". . . for instance, would a young woman like you consider going out with a man my age?" She said, "absolutely." I said, "How about I pick you up at 7 pm this Friday night?" She said, "Great, it's a date. Here's my address." That evening I found out that her father arrived in America at age twenty-two from Italy. Her mother arrived from Mexico at age 20. They met and married two years later. I was slightly older than her father. Opps, I don't think either of us thought that through. Still, we dated for several months. She loved putting on four-inch high heels. That way, she was only one inch shorter than me. It would be a few years before I met the love of my life.

Have You Ever Had A Pity Party For One?

By DR Rawson • 31 Jan, 2022
Did you invite others?
More Posts
Share by: