Definitely against this one. Even though they are supposed to discreetly carry these weapons in unmarked bags, I fear that one risk is that we could have "potential terrorists" attacking pilots in the terminals in the hopes that they may "mug" one who carries a weapon. Also, as an example of people trying to protect themselves by owning a weapon in their own home - the statistics show that more innocents actually die by accidental firing of the weapons compared to people actually being able to protect themselves by owning the weapon.

No, they don't.

Not the best idea, IMHO. (Prison guards don't carry guns in secure areas.)

So the cockpit door is bulletproof. Is the galley/lav bulkhead bulletproof? (No)

Agree with never leave the cockpit.

Get the bad guys off their feet. Turn the plane into a Thunderbid/Blue Angel F16/F18. If you're not strapped in, you're gonna have some broken bones.

No visiting the lav, meals delivered to cockpits, pilots resting in F/J either?

Don't many of our commercial pilots today receive their flight training in the military, where they will also learn how to use firearms?

Mike

Definitely against.

All this does is introduce yet another firearm into an area where there should be no firearms.

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"Give me Liberty or give me Death." - Patrick Henry

Mixed.

On one hand, I really think it's something pilots should not have to deal with. The only thing they need to be shooting are approaches.

On the other hand, they are responsible for safety of flight. On could argue that protecting the cockpit is part of making the flight safe.

I think I'm against this one. Pilots shouldn't come out of the cockpit to protect passengers. They also already have a fire ax. I might be more in favor of giving FAs some training in how to subdue someone and perhaps arm them with tazers or something of that nature. Actually, I think we should start looking for different qualifications for FAs. Instead of being able to open the emergency exit, they should be able to take down a 200-pound guy with a knife. http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttravel_forum/wink.gif

I agree fully with this. Iris might be a sweetheart, but I don't think she could be much help in most emergencies on-board requiring physical exertion.

No thanks!

I'll handle the 200 lb knife wielder; I want Iris to keep bringing my drinks and meals!



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"Give me Liberty or give me Death." - Patrick Henry

2nd door near the galley that DOESN'T expose the cockpit to the cabin even - door is normally open to allow F pax's to use that lav... This IS done on some carriers.

This SHOULD have been mandated to all ex-US or intra-US carriers and then the stupid TSA rules should have been relaxed...

I don't agree with captains or first officers visiting outsidethe cockpit EVER during a flight... meals can be passed through a tray on a dual door system.... lav visits can be masked through the dual doors. For crew relief, crewmember taing his/her break would go out the main cockpit door to the locked 2nd door (setup as locked by the FA), then lock the cockpit door and then open the 2nd... this isn't rocket science.

I know this is harsh, but if the cockpit is NEVER exposed and NEVER able to be penetrated - why go through the 7 layers of TSA BS.


[This message has been edited by NickP 1K (edited 04-21-2003).]

The question needs a "pre-question".

One must first come to some agreement as to what the threat is. We are copntinueing to work on a threat that may or may not exist, or be so remote....

Agreed. Now we have to bring it up with the unions...

No, not rocket science-- but not the least bit workable or practical either, IMHO.

Pleases lets make this an informed discussion and do not spread lies. I am for arming the pilots and wont come out with statitisc especially ones such as dbk10 which are propoganda..

dbk10 wrote
Also, as an example of people trying to protect themselves by owning a weapon in their own home - the statistics show that more innocents actually die by accidental firing of the weapons compared to people actually being able to protect themselves by owning the weapon.