Pilots Want to Rush Guns in Cockpits Training

AP via FoxNews ^ | August 25, 2003 | Unknown

[NittanyLion]

WASHINGTON

[from occupied ga]

I suppose if a pilot isn't capable of flying after killing the TSA prefers that the flight be overtaken by terrorists.

You think you're joking, but yes they would. Bush, Mineta, Ashcroft et al would far rather kill everyone on board with an air to air missile than admit that arming the peasants is good for the peasants. They don't have to worry, they spend a couple of hundred times what you and I make annually on their own personal security.

[getmeouttaPalmBeachCounty_FL]

***And the door will need to be opened on occasion for bathroom breaks, meals, etc.***

When pilots in single-seat military jets launch, expecting to fly four-five-six-plus hours, if a potty break is necessary, they use a piddle pack (I think that's the name). When dh happens to phone me within the hour to his next departure, I always remind him to GO TO THE BATHROOM!!!

[getmeouttaPalmBeachCounty_FL]

[OldFriend]

Agree on the bathroom breaks and the meals. Was on a Continental flight about six months after 9/11 and the stewardess stood in the doorway of the cockpit.....her back to the cabin and her foot holding the door open while she engaged the pilot in conversation lasting several minutes.

Not very reassuring at all.

[OldPossum]

Your concern about the containers is well-taken. It bothers the hell out of me, too.

But these sentences are wrong, in my humble estimation: B)They are likely to receive the mother of all ass-whuppin's should they try to pull that "I've got a knife/bomb/sharp stick" crap. I, for one, would rather take my chances throwing a full body check on Achmed than let him take over a plane with the mere threat of an explosive or knife.

From what I have read, it would be possible for terrorists to get handguns--or whatever--on the plane while it is sitting on the tarmac, say, the night before the flight. That being the case, would you charge Achmed when he and his three other companions have .45's pointed you?

With reference to the tarmac, the other day the airport police found some innocent people wandering around the tarmac (somewhere, I don't remember the name of the airport) one night; if they were up to no good, it might have been possible for them to gain access to an airliner and do their thing. Also, we know that TSA and the airlines don't do a bang-up job of screening their help; that would be another means of getting some guns on a plane.

[OldPossum]

Oh, as regards the folks on the tarmac, they had been there for a number of hours before being detected.

[WestPacSailor]

That being the case, would you charge Achmed when he and his three other companions have .45's pointed you?

Nope! I'm dumb, but not THAT dumb!

That's why the pilots should NEVER leave the cockpit. If they are inside, and the bad guys are outside, the bad guys can only kill as many people as are on the plane. Once they get inside the cockpit they can kill thousands more. I do think however, that the pilots SHOULD be armed, just in case the "evil doers" do manage to get past the door.

[getmeouttaPalmBeachCounty_FL]

Should you ever witness this again, just push your call button.

[OldFriend]

LOL...probably the first and last time I was ever in first class.

Back in the boonies you can't see what's happening up front.

[zerosix]

Well TSA is rather busy, what with body pat downs of 60 yr old grandmothers and double scanning hip and knee replacements of gramps.

[getmeouttaPalmBeachCounty_FL]

I hear you, but I think scanning everyone has to be done. A terrorist could easily drop a little baggie with a small object into a wheelchair, or into the pocket on the back. If we allowed all little ladies in wheelchairs a free pass, this object wouldn't be detected. All a terrorist would need to do, is retrieve it on the other end of security.

[getmeouttaPalmBeachCounty_FL]

A friend sent this to me this afternoon, and I thought it would fit here quite nicely.

I thought you might enjoy this; especially given pilots held their national media protest today, to help the public learn about the slow-going with the Armed Pilots Program.

http://humor.gryphontech.com/pilots/

...my kind of pilot!!!

[OldFriend]

It was actually Kennedy Airport in New York. The group's little boat was wind driven over to the airport property. They got out and wandered the tarmac for an hour before coming upon a police officer and seeking help.

Until they spoke up no one notice their presence.

Billions to New York for homeland security and it's all down the drain.......IMHO

[PhilDragoo]

Excellent. Goes well with the general invitation to go Hannibal Lector on any would-be cabin door breachers.

Faxed letters to both U.S. senators and the U.S. congressman to cut through the red tape on this--reminding them terrorists are not hampered by bureaucratic obstructionism.

[Velveeta]

Thanks for the ping GMO!

[dogbrain]

Yes, arming pilots is PART of the solution.
But let's hope there's more being done to keep known or suspected terrorists from getting into this country, not to mention onto an airliner, in the first place.