Captains' plans to detain me (6)
I believe the answer is:
pilots
'captains' plans to detain me' is the definition.
I can't judge whether this definition defines the answer.
'plans to detain me' is the wordplay.
I cannot really understand how this works, but
'me' could be 'i' and 'i' is found in the answer.
'plans' could be 'plots' (plot is a kind of plan) and 'plots' is found in the remaining letters.
This accounts for all the letters.
This explanation may well be incorrect...
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for pilots that I've seen before include "People who guide ships going into or out of a harbour" , "They guide ships in and out of harbours" , "Shepherds" , "They steer ships in and out of harbours" , "Airmen" .)