While arming the pilots might be a nice idea, remember that they are facing forward and turning around for them is a rather awkward manuever. They might be able to do somethign if they were aware of something going on but not, for example, if a hijacker would come flying through the door.

Maybe ifthe 3 man, or 4 or 5 man (navigator, radio operator) cockpits are brought back, it'll be practical but not otherwise.

As for armoured doors, not practical for decompressions reasons as other have said. And what would happen if the flight crew got incapacitated? A remake of the Payne Stewart thing with a different twist.

I agree, undercover armed marshals is the best approach to preventing cockpit takeovers. On-board security agents would be a service offering far more important to me than legroom or wine selection.

How about stun guns ? The UK police force currently has these on trial. I think they can shoot up to about fifty feet.

One thing about sky marshalls is that it'll be obvious who they are. Think about where a sky marshall or two would logically sit to have the best/most compact arc of fire.

Those are tazers. That is a much better choice than something that could cause a hull breach.

I don't want anyone, including law enforcement officials, to carry a gun with ammunition on the plane.

[This message has been edited by Spiff (edited 09-13-2001).]

[This message has been edited by Spiff (edited 09-13-2001).]

Put in the bulletproof door. Why does anyone need access to the flight deck in flight? When's the last time that both pilots were incapacitated (that's one reason why we have two), and a flight attendent came into the flight deck and successfully landed the aircraft?

Ok, someone who remembers correct me if I'm wrong. There are different kinds of Marshalls. During the 1970s a uniformed armed Marshall was placed outside the cockpit door during the entire flight. The guns they carried were specifically designed NOT to breach the hull of the plane or in any way threaten the integrity of the aircraft. In addition to that there were undercover armed Marshalls throughout the plane. (EL AL rewrote the book on it. I can't say that I've ever spotted one of them on board & on long flights its something to amuse myself with when I have nothing else to do)

So what if we are able to spot the plain clothes Marshalls? Does that make them any less effective? Public awareness of their presence makes them a deterent to hijacking. However, their function is to protect us, the passengers in case there is an incident. I don't know about anyone else but as long as they're on board, I don't care what they are wearing.

Even if there are bullets that don't breech the hull, what happens when a shot is fired in a very enclosed space where there are lots of innocent people around? Riccochets? Bullets that pass thru the terrorist or another type of criminal?

The cabin of the plane is no place for gunplay of any kind by anyone.

What if one of the pilots suffers a heart attack, and needs immediate attention from a doctor. If they install in doors that cannot be opened by pilots or FA's, then the pilot would probably end up dying in his seat... I doubt it will ever happen like that. And since there won't be such a door, having a gun in the cockpit would be just as bad. The terrorists would have more of a reason to try to get in the cockpit to get that gun...

Innocent (collateral) casualties in such circumstances will be seen as unfortunate, perhaps unavoidable, but acceptable. Just hope it doesn't happen to you or a loved one.

There are various projectiles that do should not richochet or go through the body, but will incapacitate, which is the objective.

I hate to say this, but even if a measure results in the death of everyone on the plane, in this new world we have been thrust in to, is that not better than having a hijacked plane result in thousands of other deaths?

Security in the USA has just taken on a whole new meaning.

The only thing that surprises me here, is that this whole sorry thing did not happen sooner than it did.

God Bless the United States of America!

[This message has been edited by hnechets (edited 09-13-2001).]

Pilots (well, mostly) opine:

http://www.planebusiness.com/cgi-bin...&f=26&t=000001

http://www.planebusiness.com/cgi-bin...&f=26&t=000051

http://www.planebusiness.com/cgi-bin...&f=26&t=000049

Why not arm the passengers? At least those who are trained in firearm use. I am 100% serious.




[This message has been edited by acitrano (edited 09-15-2001).]

Considering that part of a highjacker's job is to take the plane by surprise, will the pilots really have an opportunity to pull out guns while flying the planes? Also, if higher ticket prices mean sky marshalls then I am ready to pay. The airline industry's need to cut costs to meet Wall Street's expectations have resulted in ground security that poorly trained and poorly paid. Thus attracting some of the worst people who often spend more time talking than checking bags.