ARMED PILOT PROGRESS ALERT

[Richard Cranium]

I think instead of arming the pilots, or perhaps in addition to arming pilots, we should do like Israel, post an expert from the military on Every Flight.
ARMED PILOT PROGRESS ALERT

I'll wager that those who dislike the idea of arming pilots will also nod yes to the idea of F-16's shooting down planes that have been hijacked.

I say give the pilots proper training and special ammo so they may defend our country and it's inhabitants.

"The policy of sacrificing a civilian airliner with innocent Americans on board to keep terrorists from using it as a weapon – while at the same time refusing to allow the pilots an opportunity to offer a last resort, final line of defense – is the extremist view that should be ridiculed and dismissed."

http://www.worldnetdaily.com/news/ar...TICLE_ID=28932

[Covert_one]

I think the airlines should hand out guns before you board the plane. Just load the guns with only one bullet - that way everyone on board can 'vote' off the offending hijacker.

[Toadman]

Air Crews are trained to focus and fly the aircraft and that is all they should be doing, imho. I submitted my boarding pass to have them take me to my destination, not provide in-flight heroics. If there is a commotion in the cabin, why unlock the reinforced cabin door(might have a nasty surprise there) and step out with a pistol, leaving a co-pilot or engineer to fend with flying the aircraft? Pilots have big enough egos already. They have to to be confident in all situations. Don't need to give them a Steven Seagal/Xena attitude especially when their close quarters hand-to-hand combat training is hardly up to par, nor covered in their recurrent training. Most would be disarmed in a heartbeat by a trained killer who now has his desired weapon where once he had nothing but his hands. I agree a security officer should be on every flight, but even then the sky marshals are quitting in droves. Commercial airlines regularly mix up the flight crews. You might get a member who's having a very bad day and now has access to a gun. Cops snap all the time......

[Epidemic]

The gun with a flight crew which might snap is the least of problems.

The fact is that the flight crew already has your life in their hands. If they want you dead they will succeed.

A gun will at best kill 9 or 10 people.

[Toadman]

Just trying to eliminate all the variables, Epidermic.
Can't rip out a flap lever and beat the flight crew with it, can we? Point is a sequestered cabin crew remains in full command and control, radio activity( i.e. less chance of a shootdown), and will likely land the aircraft safely(#1 priority, fly the aircraft). If flight deck integrity is breached everyone loses, so I'll take my chances with the baddies in coach and 1st class. They can't get everybody. Some airlines are already using CCTV/"webcams" to monitor cabin activity and have installed panic buttons for the flight attendants. But, the more I think about it, aircraft usage is now passe' and they have more comprehensive /less risky means to achieve their goals, imho.

I kinda like 'Epidermic'.
Maybe 'cause you get under everyone's skin? LOL jk, pal.

[Richard Cranium]

Yeah, I guess you are right, let the hijackers just kill all the passengers while the flight crew cowers behind a reinforced door, that's the ticket.

[Harold7]

Moot point really, I doubt if there will ever be another successful hijacking of an airliner.

With the flight crew locked in the cockpit, anyone making an attempt to get in will soon be swarmed by the passengers and even if terrorists could gain control, they'd just be looking at an AMRAAM, a Sidewinder or 20mm cannon fire as a final solution.

At least armed pilots give potential terrorists something else to plan for.

[Covert_one]

Alas friends, there is always human nature to foul things up. People 'forget' to lock doors, pick easy passcodes, or they'd open a secure cockpit door for a friend being slaughtered on the otherside. The flight on Sept 11th that was taken over by passengers- only five guys stood up to fight? Look around you when you are out in public, how many guys do you think look like they got the guts and brawn to kick some ass? America turned to a nation of "Why doesn't someone (else) fix this", instead of a nation that "didn't ask what their country could do for them, but ask, What can I do for my country?"(JFK)
I wish we could get to the root of the problem, the lack of love, compassion and tolerance we display to each other. Smart enough to hack, yet we are such lamerz. You are either a part of the solution or a part of the problem.

"I have found the enemy!...It is us." - unkn

[daveleau]

In regards to the pilots focusing on flying the plane, they are not really needed in the aircraft except for takeoff and minor monitoring of the autopilot. The Autopilot even lands most of the time. So, there is little to focus on in today's airliners.

[Chuckiechan]

I like the idea of the pilot doing a barrel roll and dumping the hijacker on his head. Then the passengers could hold him down until the pilot comes out and duct tapes him to a seat.

But in addition to that I am ok with firearms available to the flight crew.