Canadian pilots unwilling to carry guns

rediff.com ^ | September 26 2001 | Ajit Jain in Toronto

[AM2000]

Canada's commercial airlines pilots are unwilling to carry any firearms with them on board the plane.

They say they are pilots and not gunfighters and therefore they wouldn't carry firearms in their cockpits.

Air Canada Pilots Association, comprising of 3,600 members said despite support from the US-based Air Line Pilots Association, they have now been forced to consider ways of defending 'the cockpit at all costs against attackers', that they 'are not keen on the idea' of carrying arms in the cockpit.

"In a word, no, it's not our position that Air Canada pilots be armed," said Peter foster, ACPA expert on safety and security.

"What are you going to do, turn a cockpit into an armed fortress? .... And in an emergency the pilot is supposed to be flying the plane, not fighting a battle," he added.

Foster suggested that the Canadian government should consider sending trained officers on board the planes in case the threat of suicide hijackers is great enough to warrant armed protection on planes.

"If a security threat is felt by our authorities to be so serious as to require armed presence on aircraft then, by all means, the government can make the decision of providing armed escorts on aircraft," he added.

Informed sources said Canadian government has already started putting on board flight armed marshals, and it could soon be extended to all flights within Canada and out of the country.

The Canadian Pilots Association continues to reject the idea of letting its members carry guns because of the dangers of weapons on planes.

"What would happen if a pilot was relieved of those weapons by the terrorists? What happens if the weapon discharges and it punctures the pressurised aircraft?" asked CPA's chairman, Captain Raymond Hall.

Canadian Transport Minister David Collenette echoing the sentiments of the pilots said, "We're really not moving in the direction of having armed personnel in any guise on airplanes."

Collenette has, however, already ordered that cockpit would be locked as soon as the plane doors are closed and will be opened only after plane exit doors are opened.

[TERMINATTOR]

Canadians truly are our friends. Thank you for providing a safe haven for terrorists aboard your airlines. And a special thanks to your pilots for warning our Air Force of the threat that Canadian aircraft present to our safety. Many thanks to all those Canadians aboard who will be presumed to be terrorists and shot down.

Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. --John 15:13

[Aric2000]

Where do I start with you? I'm clueless, everything you just said is so far out there, that it isn't worth responding to.

I'll just say one thing to you then, with your government, you are a subject, with my government I am a free citizen. You may like your sense of security, via the healthcare, no guns, etc etc ad nauseum, but this is what we call SOCIALISM!!! You may like it, you may even enjoy it, but you grew up in it, you do not know what it is like to be actually free to do what you wish, choose your healthcare provider, pay for it yourself, what it is like to actually own and carry a firearm.

I for one am terrified every time I have to go up into your country, your police are reactive, whereas if I were armed I could be Proactive and defend myself. Your police will show up AFTER I have been shot, stabbed, mugged, beat up, etc ad mauseum, whereas, If I am armed, I just shoot the perpetrator, or hold him, depending on the situation, until the cops arrive.

You are all a bunch of socialized victims, that allow and have allowed your government to take responsibility for your lives. The Soviets, I felt bad for, they didn't have a choice, you on the other hand chose it, and that I just CANNOT respect!!!

[TheMole]

I also am Canadian. Your post was nonsense, but useful as an indication of the mentality that is ruining our country. I have also lived in the United States, and therefore can state categorically that your ideas about their medical system are nonsense. Nobody bleeds to death on the steps of hospitals. An indigent American is likely to get better treatment than a middle-class Canadian. Gangbangers with bullets in them get treated immediately, generally at the taxpayer's expense. Outside of black ghettoes, the USA is just as safe if not safer than Canada. The state of our military is worse than pathetic. Of course they can't take on the U.S. armed forces. Only a moron would think that was their purpose, not that I'm casting any aspersions. What is unconscionable is that we have nothing - no national guard, nothing. We are completely unprepared for terrorist attack, Indian wars, natural disasters, you name it. We are parasitically feeding off the defence capabilities of others. It's true that Canadian armed forces fought well in wars 50 and more years ago in Europe and Korea, but even then their campaigns had chaotic starts due to political negligence. For a concise description of the situation we are in today, you can read here:

Canada'a War is Already Over

[Aric2000]

I love Mark, some of those 55% must really hate him though, reality SUCKS!!! LOL

[AeWingnut]

I would argue with you but I'm busy getting ready for the invasion.

[BlueLancer]

"After all, you're a pilot, not a fireman."

"Dammit, Jim, I'm a doctor not a fireman!"

[Proud Canadian]

Outside of black ghettoes, the USA is just as safe if not safer than Canada

Yes. If it weren't for dem der culourd folks, the USA would be so much better.

[packrat01]

Canadian Transport Minister David Collenette echoing the sentiments of the pilots said, "We're really not moving in the direction of having armed personnel in any guise on airplanes."

Ground 'em; Davey. Don't let any of our planes into your airspace, either. Seal the northern border, and start building the Great Wall of Canada to keep us out. You don't wanna play by the new rules? You're either with us, or with the terrorists.

Putz.