Is It Time For More Onboard Security?
 

With the many recent stories about "air rage," in one case (Alaska Airlines) a passenger attacks the crew on the flight deck, is it time to put security people onboard the airlines? I think this was done at one time to prevent hijackings.

The Alaska Airlines incident could have been devastating for all on board. It was horrible that it happened at all.

If the airlines decide security would help, should the security people be armed, uniformed? Or would that make things potentially worse?

Interested in your comments, thanks.

SAA at one time had an OUT of uniform security person on board - who was armed !

This security person was NOT known to flight personnel, and was a regular pax - i.e. a purchased ticket !

This was for ALL flights both Domestic and International.

I know this because my cousin did this job, and you had to do 50 domestic flights before you got an international flight. He hated flying ! He quit before he got an international flight ! silly **** !!

I was told that it was quite lucrative as the basic pay was pretty good + clothing allowance + paid travel + per diem + paid 5 star accomodations, and on international trips you were expected to stay away for a while - e.g London was at least 4 days ( I seem to recall !

While this was all scheduled, it was also at random, so that on 1 trip you might stay the min 4 days, the next time it might be 2 weeks, in order that there be no discernible patterns.

I wanted a job like that so bad, ( for the travel), but then I am a wuss when it comes to guns !!

Perhaps a uniformed guard would be a good idea now with all the "air-rage" folks

There are already so called Air Marshels on board US domestic and international flights, plain clothes people of course. And some carriers have armed guards on board as well (ie: El Al), others have side-arms in a safe in the cockpit (ie: Qantas, I beleive).

The US Air Marshalls are obviously not on ALL flights or the Alaska airlines rage attack wouldn't have happened ?

I have not heard of this before in the US, but it is a good idea !

El Al yes, of course - goes without saying ! Israeli paranoia ( just like that of South Africa )

Qantas - had not heard that previously

Plain Clothes and armed in the Air and throughout the air termanal. ZERO TOLERANCE for any form of air rage. If people get out of hand, take their luggage and them off of the plane or do not let them board and they dont get to fly. They loose their flight privledes for 1 year. Give them a fine and or jail time. ZERO TOLERANCE.