This was the atmosphere of flying when I was a teen:
"In 1968 there were 27 hijackings and attempted hijackings to Cuba."
Hijacking
"Aircraft hijacking incidents between the United States and Cuba reached their peak in 1969. These incidents have variously been attributed to terrorism, extortion, flight for political asylum, and transportation between the two countries as a result of the ongoing antagonistic Cuba-United States relations.[1] Subsequent measures by both governments contributed to a gradual reduction of reported incidents towards the mid 1970s. Governmental measures included an amendment to Cuban law which made hijacking a crime in 1970, the introduction of metal detectors in US airports in 1973, and a joint agreement between the US and Cuba signed in Sweden to return or prosecute hijackers.[1]"
Aircraft Hijacking: United States
