Few commercial pilots apply for firearm training

Washington Times ^ | 2/04/04 | Audrey Hudson

[kattracks]

An airline pilots association estimates 30,000 commercial pilots who want to carry guns on flights never enrolled in the federal training program because its rules are too restrictive and make commercial airlines more vulnerable to terrorist hijackings.

"They walked when they saw the actual program TSA [Transportation Security Administration] put in place," said Capt. Dave Mackett, president of the Airline Pilots Security Alliance. "There are 300 pilots on any given day to protect 35,000 flights. It's like policing Washington, D.C., with nine officers."

[Jmouse007]

The cowards would rather have rag heads take over their planes and fly them into the ground or high rise buildings, rather than protect their passengers.

They should be ashamed of themselves.

Airline pilots to the rag head terrorists: "Come fly with us, we are easy targets!"

[gaijin]

There is an avidly flying, conservative radio talk show host in San Francisco, Lee Rodgers of KSFO radio, who has shown great leadership in lambasting the TSA over this very issue. He pummels them up and down the other side.

The President really should fire the head of the TSA over this, you know.

This is FREAKING INSANITY.

[longtermmemmory]

No the clinton appointee made the restrictions with this intention. It is BS to circumvent putting it in place.

[TheDon]

What a bunch of whiners. It may not be perfect, but it can work. Meanwhile, if you think changes are in order, lobby for them.

[AmericanVictory]

Why doesn't our Secretary of Transportation just come out in the open as a Dem operative?

[DFW_Repub]

I fly first class and I worked for over 8 years in the 1980's and 90's in the commercial aviation industry.

I don't believe in armed commercial airline pilots, PERIOD!! A sterile area should be kept sterile. I also have known waaay too many commercial pilots, the majority of whom I would not want armed. It's an easy concept and one the Israelis believe in,. The pilot is there to fly the plane and not to engage in gun battles.

As for getting around a well position cart, easier said than done.

Let's face it, there is a lot of good commentary on Free Republic, there is also a lot of idiotic nonsense expressed by people on here too.