And flight attendants? Again, they have to arrange self-defense training on their own time, at their own expense and without the cooperation of the airlines themselves. Think of it this way: what if Brink's hired drivers and gave them no training in handling attempted robberies? What if they expected their employees to get training - if any - on their own time and their own dime? How long do you think Brink's would be in business?
Sounds like sour grapes to me. Pilots are supposed to fly an airplanes. Stewards are supposed to serve the customers. Think of it this way. Many Americans out of concern for personal safety study martial arts at their own expense on their own time. Think of it this way Anne, try asking your boss to pay for your training. If he doesn't die laughing, he may kick you out the door. What a ditz Anne Jacobsen.
The pilots couldn't get the training at the local range, or whatever. It had to be specially licensed for PILOTS.
In all of the US, there was like ONE training center, in the middle of the USA, and it was far, far, from any airport.
It was totally nuts, from what I read about the program. And it was expensive as hell, too.
Basically the Bush admin didn't really even WANT pilots (or a good number of them) to actually be carrying.
Lot's of airline pilots have volunteered their time to attend this training. It is a GREAT course! They feel strongly that NOBODY is going to take over the cockpit again on their watch!
Pilots are indeed supposed to fly airplanes. They are also responsible for the overall safety of the flight. It's much better to negate terrorists trying to take over the airplane; saving the other passenger's lives. The alternative is for a military fighter jet to shoot the airliner down before it becomes a media event as it crashes into yet another building.
Specific information regarding the pilot program is on the TSA website for anyone's review.
Your reply is the equivalent of saying that pilots are only supposed to fly safe planes in safe conditions and not be taught emergency procedures. It should be up to them to get and pay for this emergency procedure training? I would think a hijacking might be considered an emergency.