U.S. Won't Allow Guns in Cockpits

AP ^ | 2-21-2002 | JONATHAN D. SALANT

[Rowdee]

"Sen. Ernest Hollings, D-S.C., who chairs the Commerce Committee, said guns would not be needed as long as pilots kept cockpit doors locked while in flight.

"You can put the rule in right now and cut out all the argument about pistols and stun guns," Hollings said.

See anything wrong with the *cough* honorable Senator's statement that 'guns would not be needed as long as pilots kept cockpit doors locked while in flight? I don't believe a hijacker has to get into the cockpit to take a plane down or accomplish what they want--which is to kill a lot of people.

What happens if doors are opened in flight, or the little windows are broken out? What happens when cabin pressure is lost? Are pilots able to determine what's happening in such situations and be able to 1) even fly the plane, 2) get it to a lower altitude fast enough to save any of the passengers?

[freeeee]

I prefer this method:

McGaw, Mineta, Ridge: "We are opposed to arming pilots. Pilots will not be armed so long as we can help it."

Bush: "Gentlemen, your services are no longer required. I expect to have your resignations on my desk in the morning. Be out of your offices by lunch or you'll be arrested for trespassing."

A little spine to do what's right. That's all it takes.

[Coop]

Sheer idiocy.

[TLBSHOW]

When are republicans going to get it? This is a war and one that won't be won without the help of the people with GUNS!

[katze]

Well, well, former ATF director. If he was so effective, how can one explain all those *illegal* weapons on the street? Too busy, I suppose, bothering the legal gun owners, and making dumb decisions as this one.

WIMom, this recess appt of Magaw should tell you something. Either Pres Bush gave him blanket authority as to who could (and could not) have guns, or approved this decision. Either way, bad decision by both.

[bvw]

"Two House Republicans have introduced legislation to arm pilots and the House Transportation Committee is scheduled to take up the bill this week."

Agree, hooray!, we still have some sanity in out national capital. Let's hope and praty we have enough to carry us.

[cynicom]

Damned idiots... Wait til the first terrorist gets on a flight with a knife and starts cutting throats til the pilot opens the door. It will happen.

[Puppage]

So, they're worried about an errant shot from the cockpit, but a Sky Marshall having a shootout in coach class is ok? Yeah, THAT makes sense.

[Myrddin]

Reinforced cockpit doors are the same level of security as any locked door. It works until someone legitimately needs to open the door. During that time frame, the door is open and insecure. Do pilots have to use the restroom during a flight? Is the restroom on the cockpit side of the secure door? Do pilots eat during a flight? How does the food pass the secure door? The bad boys simply have to patiently wait for nature's natural urges to open a clear path to the cockpit.

The taxpayers can not afford to employ an air marshal for every civil aircraft flight. It is folly. At a minimum, the pilots need to be armed. Armed passengers would be even better, as that would leave a potential hijacker uncertain about where the source of armed resistance exists on the aircraft.

[Jesse]

Tom Ridge and Norm Mineta ought to be ashamed of themselves.

Ridge and Mineta are twin twits. But don't forget, Bush is the boss, and with a stroke of his pen could allow it. So save some of your outrage for the fact that Bush thinks it's perfectly ok for pilots of F16's to be able to fly the friendly skies and blow a jetliner out of the air with air to air missiles, but not allow a pilot to have a handgun in the cockpit.

[TexasRepublic]

Dear Airline Industry [carriers and manufacturers],

Brace yourselves for financial turbulence, because a lot of people, myself included, will not fly again until we know that genuine safety has been restored to the skies, not mere window-dressing. To feel safe we will require as a start:

1) Secure doors and bulkheads on ALL airplanes to protect the pilots

2) Armed pilots

3) Sensible profiling and search of all Middle-Eastern-looking types, not Swedish grandmothers or children.

4) Airport screeners with common sense, good courtesy and decency and an IQ higher than a turnip.

No one can force us to fly or will convince us to fly until real changes are made. Tell it to Congress, you are about to go belly-up unless the customer is happy!

Have a nice day!

JOHN Q. PUBLIC

[Dick Bachert]

John McGaw? Say, didn't he take over BATF from Steven Higgins (The Co-Butcher of Waco) after Higgins "retired" and hit the silk of his golden federal parachute?

Oh yeah, McGaw is just hot for any idea that will put PRIVATE FIREARMS in the role of suggesting that they can be used for BENEFICIAL PURPOSES.

NOT!!!

You Bushies need to get on your guy about firing at least THREE currently employed federal morons...(I know, I know -- "federal moron" is an obvious redundancy.)

[TomGuy]

Damned idiots... Wait til the first terrorist gets on a flight with a knife and starts cutting throats til the pilot opens the door. It will happen.

Exactly...

Hijacker to pilot: Open the door or we will slit the throat of a passenger every 5 minutes!

What pilot is going to sit by, stay in his seat, knowing that is going on on the other side of the door.

These terrorists are not -- ARE NOT -- humanitarians. They are bloodthirsty killers --BLOODTHIRSTY KILLERS.

How loudly do we have to scream that before the Administration and Congress get a clue?

[borkrules]

U.S. Won't Allow Guns in Cockpits

What are they supposed to use? Harsh language?

[Capt.YankeeMike]

more politically correct BS. PC is the death knell of the United States. The lunatics are running the asylum, common sense happens, but not anywhere near DC.....

[NittanyLion]

Just to be clear, I was referring to the fact that nobody in Big Stupid Government ever gets fired or prosecuted for such gross derelection of duty.

That's because any failing of government can only mean those who failed were underfunded, and need more taxpayer money to do their jobs right. At least, that's what I keep hearing. If only I could convince MY boss to think that way...

[Your Nightmare]

You people are too caught up in this "arm everyone" attitude. Contrary to the popular conservative belief, throwing guns at a problem doesn't necessarily solve it. The Israeli model has been very successful. Reinforced double doors and an armed air marshall is the solution. Too many bad scenarios arise with a pilot trying to defend the cockpit with a gun.

Let the pilot fly the plane and let an air marshall protect it.

[freeeee]

Too many bad scenarios arise with a pilot trying to defend the cockpit with a gun.

For example...???