Pilots' Group Decries Missile Deployment

WorldNetDaily.com ^ | September 13, 2002 | Jon Dougherty

[NoControllingLegalAuthority]

The head of an airline pilots' organization pressing for legislation to allow guns in the cockpits of commercial airliners has criticized the Bush administration's decision to deploy air-defense missiles and fighters over Washington, D.C., during the Sept. 11 commemoration – ready to shoot down any passenger jets that were hijacked.

"On the one-year anniversary of the (9-11) attacks, the U.S. government aimed surface-to-air missiles (SAMs) at the skies" over the nation's capital "and launched armed fighters to patrol the skies over our largest cities," said Capt. Tracy Price, chairman of the Airline Pilots' Security Alliance. "The decision to 'defend' our citizens in this manner speaks volumes about the administration's confidence in their progress toward improving airline security after a full year's effort."

[NoControllingLegalAuthority]

"The decision to 'defend' our citizens in this manner speaks volumes about the administration's confidence in their progress toward improving airline security after a full year's effort."

It also speaks volumes about our leaders' arrogant view of their own importance. The SAM's are only placed around Washington, D.C., where our almighty federal government is headquartered. The rest of us can apparently fend for ourselves.

[meenie]

Amen to that. It also speaks volumes when we have to drag the government kicking and screaming to the point of allowing pilots to arm themselves. No better indication of the authoritarian attitude in Washington exists than the reluctance to let the public to arm themselves for their own defense. The gubmint seems more afraid of their own citizens than the terrorists.

[jimtorr]

Misleading headline.

The article says that the pilots group thinks that a better, faster, cheaper way to prevent aircraft from being used as weapons is to arm the pilots.

NCLA, DC and NYC were the only cities defended because they are the cities that have already been hit.

[Consort]

The SAM's are only placed around Washington, D.C., where our almighty federal government is headquartered.

I guess the sight of the Pentagon burning last year didn't bother you. It was seen around the world any many cheered. It probably spurred others to become terrorists. Maybe the sight of the White House or Capitol being destroyed won't bother you either. The symbolism is very real.

[NoControllingLegalAuthority]

Cheap shot comment, pal. Of course it bothered me. A crafty enemy would hit you where you were NOT prepared as they did on September 11th.

[NoControllingLegalAuthority]

Wouldn't the cities already hit be less likely to be attacked again? Terrorists are suicidal but not completely stupid. They crafted and executed a simple and effective (for them) plan last September 11th, taking advantages of weaknesses they had discovered in our system. Terrorists correctly focus on our weaknesses to achieve success.

The deployment of SAM's is not exactly a ringing endorsement of the airline security system supposed to reassure potential airline passengers.

[Robe]

Maybe some Freepers can help out here..

I recall a incident in the late ‘50’s or early ‘60’s in which a pilot shot and killed a potential highjacker trying to go to Cuba.
I think it was on old Eastern Airlines, and back then the airlines that transported US Mail were considered 5 STAR carriers and were required to be armed.
I recall that the highjacker was armed in some way and entered the cockpit. The captain after seeing that the guy was completely wacko and threatened the welfare of the passengers and crew, he calmly reached into his flight bag and shot the guy in the head.
I know that the FAR”s (Rules governing the operation of pilots and airplanes) in the late ‘60’s/70’s said something about that the carriage of guns by pilots was to be decided by the aircarrier.

Can anyone recall this and help fill in the blanks

[Consort]

Can anyone recall this and help fill in the blanks

See here.

[Robe]

Outstanding...... I always amazed the quickness and astuteness of the Fr community... But I shouldn’t !

This , I think proves the point in the carriage of guns debate. We have here a instance in which a gun was discharged hit the perp and didn’t go through and kill “DOZENS” of passengers.
It’s too bad that the kid died but in todays world I would rather have one or two dead ” innocents” than a an airliner with 16,000 lbs of Jp-4 brought down with all aboard.
One thing that has not been discussed is just what happens AFTER the missile hits the plane, do they think that the derbies just hang in the air?....no it’s coming down.. and over a large area , a la Lockerbee (sp?)

The guy comes in the cockpit... he’s dead... period.