[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.

[VRWC For Truth]

I'd rather have an armed unskilled pilot, that an unarmed pilot. The first airline which arms its pilots WILL BE the #1 carrier in the US. Bank on it.

[lepton]

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.

If so, then I must be some sort of demigod of firearms. The negotiating is the hard part. Shooting's easy - at least shooting well enogh. In any case, all one is looking for is doing what he can. Banning them reduces what they can.

Having the tools gives more options. Having the threat requires the opponents to do more planning or logistics to counter it.

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.

OTOH, a great many used to do just that, when they were in the USAF.