Newsstand - Canada Takes Action On Air Rage

Canadian passenger jets are to lock their cockpits as a precaution against increasing numbers of air rage incidents. Transport Minister David Collenette ordered the move Wednesday.

The order, made at a meeting of the Air Transport Association of Canada, will be applied to airlines within 30 days.

With the "specific measure" put in place, the pilots could be notified and immediately lock the cockpit door "when an unruly passenger appears to be getting out of hand," the minister said.
http://news.airwise.com/stories/2001/02/982237134.html

Ok, I'll bite. Aren't the doors routinely locked ANYWAY now??? US planes do that as far as I know.

On Qantas, a stream of curious pax troops in and out of the cockpit all flight long - they are incredibly relaxed about it. So much for security. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/eek.gif

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~ Glen ~

[This message has been edited by ozstamps (edited 02-15-2001).]

I always thought the doors were locked to force anyone who wants to enter the cockpit to knock which allows the pilots to avoid any glare from the cabin. Seems that the "secret" knock is not really that safe, and the pilots have no way of knowing who is on the other side of the door before they unlock it (ok, they could look thru the peephole, but I don't remember ever seeing a pilot out of their seat when the door opened and the peephole can't be useful unless you are standing on the other side of the door).

More on this ongoing debate in todays Wall Street Journal!

Should they be shut and locked during the flight or simply left open?

Don't the FA's also have keys? So if someone really wanted to enter they could?