Why is President Bush against arming Pilots?

Question | September 28, 2001 | Search4Truth

[Search4Truth]

I really need an answer to this question. I don't understand why President Bush is opposing arming pilots. This simple measure could have averted this whole tragedy.

Don't these pilots already command a tremendous amount of respect by the millions of people they safely fly to their destinations every day? Instead we are going to be escorted by armed Marshals. This solution is consistent with the anti-gun lobby that we are to be protected by the government, but not allowed to protect ourselves.

Why is it that President Bush seems to be taking this anti-gun position? This does not make sense. He asks us to trust him, by being patient; I am willing to do so. I have confidence in him. He appears to be an honorable man. But why does he not trust us to protect ourselves. Pilots are probably one of the most qualified people to carry a gun on his airplane. What other professions commands more respect than commercial airline pilots. They all look like my dad. And it is this pilot, the captain of the ship, the last line of defense, that MUST be armed. He is ultimately the one in control of the plane and the one ultimately responsible for its safety.

How can we trust President Bush, when he apparently does not trust us? President Bush now has the opportunity to mend a deep wound of distrust between many Americans and the Federal government. I hope he will do so by trusting us to protect ourselevs. We trust him!

I pray to God that he is indeed the man he presents himself to be. If he is, he MUST allow us to protect ourselves. 7,000 dead Americans should have already awakened us to that fact. I'm not willing to fly again until I know the pilot is armed.

[Search4Truth]

Your thoughtful responses are appreciated

[Deep_6]

The government shouldn't demand or require any citizen is armed,
including pilots. Unless of course, the pilot will be considered an
officer of the government.

I haven't heard Bush's statement, but it should be questioned if
he is suggesting that they can not be armed.

That would  make a difference.

[Symix]

I agree with everything you say here. Mr Bush appears trustworthy but there are signs here and there he choses other side. Politics I guess. A thought comes to mind - while Democrats are totally and completely the scum of the earth, the Rupublicans are not 100% the opposite. McCain example shows that where there is an opportunity there is a taker. Under umbrella of the September 11 tragedy the President and the Congress are having a field day appropriating money - five billions for that and 40 billions for this. Who is going to pay for it?

[OldFriend]

About a year ago a pilot on an Egyptian Airliner struggled with his co pilot before crashing the plane into the ocean. At least there was a chance that the offending pilot could have been wrestled away from the controls. If a pilot shoots his co pilot to death what chance is there. I am sure others may dismiss this opinion, but you asked for my thoughts and that is what came to mind when the suggestion first came up.

[afraidfortherepublic]

I want to know why we haven't heard about any move to prevent the airlines from opening their cockpits to "courtesy" passengers, i.e. pilots from other airlines.

It appears that at least one of the hijacked jets was taken over by someone sitting in one of those jump seats in a stolen uniform with false papers. Also, it has been reported that at least 12 other planes were grounded and they had Arab "guest pilots" already seated in the cockpit. This practice should be halted immediately.

[InfraRed]

[sailor4321]

Are you sure he is against it? He hasn't proposed it; instead proposing an increase in air marshalls, which he thinks is a better idea. But I wouldn't conclude he's against it unless he comes right out and says he opposes it.

[stuartcr]

Correct

[afraidfortherepublic]

Terrific cartoon! You've got my vote.

[spunkets]

He is open to the suggestion. It's up to the pilots union now. What the union is asking for is that any pilot that wants to carry can do so if they pass the fed agent shooting course.

Anyone else that supports the pilots right to bear arms should act now and start writing letters.

[Search4Truth]

"About a year ago a pilot on an Egyptian Airliner struggled with his co pilot before crashing the plane into the ocean. At least there was a chance that the offending pilot could have been wrestled away from the controls. If a pilot shoots his co pilot to death what chance is there. I am sure others may dismiss this opinion, but you asked for my thoughts and that is what came to mind when the suggestion first came up."

Good point. We will never be completely safe. Although, in the case of the WTC-911 tragedies. A gun in the cockpit would have save MANY if not all the 7,000 lives that were lost. I still can't grasp fully the scale of that loss.

[Libertarian_4_eva]

Considering that 2/3 of our pilots come from our armed forces and are already trained on how to use firearms it would make sense to allow them to carry if they wish to do so. This however should be last on the list of improvements. Lets work from the airport terminals to the doors of the aircraft then comes pilots with guns.

[Hammerhead]

I really dont think it is necessary. Beef up the bulkheads and the pilot is NOT allowed out of the cockpit for any reason. Also, install knock-out gas lines in the passenger compartment that is activated by the pilot.

[Search4Truth]

It was not part of the plan he announced. His plan is that we should all be escorted by armed government agents. Which is the anit-gun lobby's position. So obviously he is against us protecting oursleves by having an armed pilot or two.

InfraRed: Love the pic. LOL

[ALASKA]

If not the pilots, let the sky waitresses carry.

[KirklandJunction]

Some pilots don't want to carry.
Most want other forms of security. (No doors for instance.)
"I want to a pilot, not a cop!" is a common answer.

[null and void]

What is this mystery "Knockout" gas I keep hearing about? Most of the anesthetic gases are flamable/explosive and need to be closely monitored to keep from putting out a patient permanently...

[Search4Truth]

"Some pilots don't want to carry.

Most want other forms of security. (No doors for instance.)

"I want to a pilot, not a cop!" is a common answer. "

I wonder what the families of 7,000 dead Americans are saying about that. When a plane turns into a bomb, you might want a pilot turned cop. I do not know why this logic is escaping so many people.

[Search4Truth]

"Each pilot should be able to decide for himself or herself if they want to carry a gun. They're the ones putting their lives on the line."

Agreed. Then let their customers decide which airlines they would rather trust their lives to. Its the American way.