[wcbtinman]

What amazes me about all of this is that the cry to allow passengers to also go armed on aircraft has been lost in the debate. Why should I, having the same military and other training, a clean criminal background, etc as any pilot, be relegated to second class citizen status?

I want the pilots armed. That said, the pilots should try to stay in the cockpit and fly the aircraft. Me and my fellow "victims" will kill the terrorists.

I never say never, but I cannot now think of any circumstance that would make me purchase a ticket to fly anywhere until I'm allowed to carry my handgun, without hassle or govt "permission".

[Tony in Hawaii]

You're asking for way too much (un)common sense too soon. We'll get there.

[William Tell]

wcbtinman said: 'I never say never, but I cannot now think of any circumstance that would make me purchase a ticket to fly anywhere until I'm allowed to carry my handgun, without hassle or govt "permission". '

My standard is a little lower. I will settle for arming the pilots right now. Incrementalism got us where we are and incrementalism can get us back to where we were.

[supercat]

Why should I, having the same military and other training, a clean criminal background, etc as any pilot, be relegated to second class citizen status?

It is unwise for a armed person to allow a hostile person within grab distance. The pilot and copilot can insist that anyone else maintain a certain distance from them when they're in the cabin, and can back up such demand with lethal force if needed. As coach passenger 23E, you wouldn't have such an option.

The cockpit is the key fortress. If it falls, all is lost. Arms kept within the fortress cannot be used by terrorists outside unless those terrorists have already breached the defenses. By contrast, arms outside could easily be taken since planes have insufficient room to allow armed people to protect themself from surprise attacks.