ABSTRACT
This chapter examines linguistic research which engages directly with a context where conflict is a palpable possibility: the airport. Airport contexts came to be recognised as sites for potential terrorist and other mal-intentioned activities following an increase in airliner hijacking in the 1960s. The use of behavioural detection in airport settings has proven to be somewhat controversial, not least because of fears that Behavioural Detection Officers, in particular, were undertaking a form of ethnic and racial profiling. The elicitation approach within Six Channel Analysis in Real-time has similarities to and drew from Controlled Cognitive Engagement: an approach developed for uniformed staff working within airport contexts. The chapter explores a conflictive exchange in the LAX Airport and describes a training scheme where linguistic insights relating to elicitation probes are given equal treatment alongside behavioural detection insights associated with identifying potential mal-intent.
