[Quilla]

I had a conversation about arming pilots this week with a customer who is a pilot for American Airlines. He often flies out of Miami into South America and the Bahamas. He is against the proposal as it stands and explained that he walks through the airport and goes through security just like everyone else. If he were armed, he said it would be like walking through the airport with a bullseye painted on his forehead. He questioned what he would do with his gun when he arrived in Columbia as officials there certainly wouldn't allow it into the country. He did have a solution though - guns should be part of the plane's equipment, locked in the cockpit via satellite. When weight was removed from the landing gear, the box would unlock. Conversely, it would relock upon landing, again, all by way of satellite or similar untamperable system. Sounded pretty good.

[freedomcrusader]

What about FBI who routinely go through security with their weapons? I know an FBI agent who says he just flashes his badge, and the screener ignores the firearm on the X-ray view screen.

[AlaskaErik]

He did have a solution though - guns should be part of the plane's equipment, locked in the cockpit via satellite. When weight was removed from the landing gear, the box would unlock. Conversely, it would relock upon landing, again, all by way of satellite or similar untamperable system.

What if someone attempts a takeover on the ground? Say right before the take-off roll. Pilots should be issued a holster and should arm themselves once the cockpit door is secured. Forget the fancy technology.

[Gritty]

I had a conversation about arming pilots this week with... a pilot for American Airlines... (flying) into South America and the Bahamas. He is against the proposal as it stands and explained that he walks through the airport and goes through security just like everyone else.

What is he implying here? A hassle with security? Why does he even need to be searched at security once they have verified he is the pilot (and probably armed)? Putting the aircrew (especially the pilots) though security is nonsense. At any time they can destroy the aircraft without a gun, and a lot easier!

If he were armed, he said it would be like walking through the airport with a bullseye painted on his forehead.

Pure B*llsh!t!

He questioned what he would do with his gun when he arrived in Columbia as officials there certainly wouldn't allow it into the country.

Nonsense. They could be pursuaded to agree if there were procedures for storage. For example, have weapons stored in a safe at American Flight Operations and checked back out when the pilot leaves the country on his next flight.

He did have a solution though - guns should be part of the plane's equipment locked in the cockpit

This could be a solution, particularly if kept in a lockbox on board and the aircraft sealed (the US military does this all the time). He should check the key in at Flight Operations where it would be secured.

...(locked) via satellite. When weight was removed from the landing gear, the box would unlock. Conversely, it would relock upon landing, again, all by way of satellite or similar untamperable system.

This guy is dreaming to avoid personal responsibility. Why the expensive system there is a much simpler way and he could do it very simply himself? Besides, the weapon would not be readily available prior to takeoff and it may not be at all if the system fails.

Sounded pretty good.

To me, it sounds pretty lame.

If this $200,000/year International pilot doesn't want the responsibility of carrying a gun to protect his ship, crew and passengers, maybe somebody else who does can step up to the plate instead. This wuss can maybe find a job he is more suitable to hold, such as a lobbyist for Sarah Brady. He could snivel all he wants there and get paid for it!