Dear Mr. Tillinghast: I am sure that there are many, many others like me who, despite strong feelings, have hesitated heretofore to write to you concerning the role of TWA in the recent hijacking of a TWA plane to Syria. I have no doubt that TWA is doing its best to secure the release of the two Israeli passengers for whom it is fully responsible. Nevertheless, I hope that the company is aware of the fact that the original newspaper reports that the pilot was remaining to oversee repairs rather than to secure the release of the hostages left a terrible impression with all past, present, and potential customers of TWA. Furthermore, it would seem to be good company policy that in the event of such future acts of piracy, no member of crew leave until all passengers have been released. As a frequent air traveler, I know that I would feel much safer were this done, if only for the reason that the number of crew members involved would increase the public protests throughout the world. Recently, a new international airport was opened in Damascus. I understand that airlines of a number of countries have refused to use this airport as a protest against the hijacking. I do not recall seeing any mention of such a refusal by TWA. I wonder, therefore, if you would be kind enough to let me know whether or not the company is using the Damascus airport and what it further proposes to do to secure the release of its two passengers who remain imprisoned in Damascus. Sincerely yours, Rabbi Norman Lamm