[lepton]

Sorry, arming an air crew sounds like a reasonable idea unless you're trying to fly an airplane at the same time as ward off a determined group of hijackers.

Do you recall what the pilots were doing when one of the aircraft was taken over? In the back of the plane, unarmed, dealing with unruly passengers who were killing a stewardess. In addition to that, a firearm would be a great benefit to dealing with someone who is trying to get past that armored door. It's one thing to trash it unopposed, and another to do so while dealing with a threat. Another caveat: Don't most of the big planes have co-pilots?

[Criminal Number 18F]

Another caveat: Don't most of the big planes have co-pilots?

ALL transport-class (airline) airplanes big or small MUST have two pilots. It's the law. Some also require other mandatory flight crewmembers, usually flight engineers. Almost all F/Es are pilots.

Most business jets also require two pilots.

d.o.l.

Criminal Number 18F

[SBeck]

The Captain's place is in the left seat, the co-pilot could deal with the threat, but once again, his duty is to assist the Captain with flying the airplane. Also, it is awfully difficult to shoot and kill armed assailants - box cutters and knives - when those instruments are being held to the necks of passengers or other crew members. It takes hours and thousands of rounds down range in tire rooms for operators to gain proficiency in doing just that and pilots don't have the time to gain that type of proficiency.