What if the child hit the large, unprotected, and extremely sensitive self destruct button??

Doubtful that the trooper would notice, since he'd probably be talking on his cell phone too. I see at least as many cops, per capita, talking on their cell phones while driving as other drivers.

Read the report. It wasn't just that they were in the cockpit, it was that they were at the controls. There's a big difference.

See above.

I won't disagree with you - locking and securing the flight deck IS the single most basic and important thing which can be done to prevent a successful hijacking - however - the doors are opened frequently (especially on long flights) for restroom breaks and crew swaps, so it's not like the door is never opened.

Part of the deal here is assuming the crew has sufficient common sense to know who to let in and when. The Aeroflot tragedy was NOT a result of letting a child into the flight deck - it was the result of exceptionally poor judgment on the part of the crew who allowed the boy to actually get near the seat and touch things. Even my closest friends who fly, and who know my own flying skills, would never let me touch a thing on their flight, nor would I want to. The only button I ever touched, under instruction from the Captain, was enabling and disabling the O2 flow to my jumpseat mask.

It should be left up to each country to decide how to handle this issue - and as customers, we can choose to patronize or avoid airlines which have rules we're not comfortable with.

based on recent news reports and Congressional hearings, I'm thinking a 5 year old in the cockpit is better than an FAA inspector...but I could be wrong : )