Nope. Not even close to being correct.
Yuu might like these posts from a thread discussing the arming of pilots from 2004: The first one is apropos because of the situation involving the banning of liquids; the second because a pilot cites some examples which refute the statement in your post.
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We've all been programmed to worry about someone taking over a plane using a gun and that airport security will protect us. I was selected for additional screening in Las Vegas some months ago. As I finally boarded with another passenger who was also screened, he told me that nobody had checked the little shampoo bottles in his carry on bag. Said that a terrorist could carry chemicals in the little bottles, mix them on the plane to create a bomb or a fire. I later asked a friend of mine who is a chemical engineer if the comment made sense to him. He told me that there were actually quite a number of chemicals that could be used. All the secuity measures at the airports serve to make the passengers feel safe, but I don't think that we really are much safer than before September 11.
Posted by: Al at January 7, 2004 07:15 PM
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There seems to a lot of ignorance about airplanes out there. As a long time B737 pilot I can tell you that handgun will not bring down an airliner unless you shoot the pilots and they fall against the controls. I've been told that a B767 can hold it pressurization with several windows blown out. Remember the Aloha 737 where the top peeled off and was able to land. One flight Att[endant] was killed because she was out of her seat. A United 747 lost its cargo door on a flight from Hawaii to Japan and landed safely. A few people were lost because their seats were ripped out when the door came off. You could shoot multiple holes with a handgun in an airliner and it could fly for hours. Just protect the pilots and the cockpit. All cockpits have bullit (sic) proof doors now.
Arming properly trained Airline pilots is a good Idea. it's a last line of defense if all the layers break down. Hopefully the aircraft manifacturers will redesign the airline fleets so that pilots will have there own bathroom and galley facilities so that the door will never have to be opened in flight.
If you see another passenger being a threat to the safety of the flight, report it to the crew then help neutralize the threat.
Stop believing all the junk you see at the movies.
Please call your government reps and have them support the armed pilot program.
Posted by: Traveler at February 27, 2004 01:19 AM
Sorry...you're not remotely close to correct or re-stating facts.....
BTW, I'm a pilot....
Homeland Security conducted tests in early 2002 regarding what a small amount (6-8 oz.) of HE would do to a fully pressurized plane at cruising altitude.
The results were devastating, it would result in complete structural failure on the aircraft.
You were correct on your statement regarding bullet holes in the fuselage of an aircraft not being a problem...small holes will not even cause a bump in the flight.....
Check your facts first...LOL