If military jets are scrambled to escort a plane in the sky, the jets take up formation ahead of the passenger aircraft.
"The captain sits on the left-hand side of the aircraft. You'll have a jet who'll pull up on the left-hand side so there is a clear line of sight for the captain," says one senior industry source. He adds if there is a second jet, they might take a position on the right-hand side or behind the plane.
At this point, the military jets will be trying to contact the passenger aircraft on an International Emergency Frequency. In the event that there are no comms because radios have failed, there is a booklet of interception signals which are manoeuvres that determine what you have to do.
"They flash their lights at night. By day they rock their wings which means follow me, and you have to follow," explains the pilot.
On Monday, private Facebook groups for pilots were alive with discussion about the interception, with many talking about criticisms levelled at pilots for following the military jets to Minsk instead of continuing to Lithuania.
"If a military aircraft intercepts you - and gives you command - you obey. You can't not obey command. You have no option but to follow orders. It's like on the ground, when police tell you to do something," the pilot added.
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