American Air Jet Diverted in 'Security Incident'

Reuters ^ | 9.11.02

[Mixer]

Read my reply in #17 again!!

[LibTeeth]

I always try to keep it a secret when I carry defensive weapons on a plane- I expect no less of the air marshals.

[Libertina]

If the pilots want to carry a gun - let them. Agreed

[Libertina]

LOL Good point, Buffyt.

[discostu]

Women carrying guns servng drinks!

Seems like everywhere I go on FR today the topic is porn (I know that sentence describes my ideal woman). ;-)

[cinFLA]

Lineberger also said he hadn't noticed any disturbance before the marshals suddenly took the man up to first class and restrained him.

And this is YOUR witness?

[Naspino]

What? He said he would file a lawsuit -- thereby proving me right and that 30 others would join the lawsuit making it ridiculous. What you think everyone is a patriotic American and likes to defend themselves -- even on 9/11 the rats don't stop chewing away.

[celtic gal]

the other day it was authorized for pilots to be armed. But first they have to go through some sort of training.

[piasa]

Lineberger said he plans to file a complaint with the TSA on Tuesday. He said about 30 other passengers also plan to complain

Lineberger, you are an idiot.

[justlurking]

Thats not entirely true. You can set up the computer to bring you within 50 feet of touchdown on any specified runway.

The original contention was that "planes could land themselves" if the pilots are incapacitated or otherwise indisposed. That isn't true, especially in your scenario that requires someone to be familar with the navigation system.

However in areas of heavy congestion approaches require a lot of contact with ATC at compulsory reporting points. So while it is technically possible, it wouldnt work because ATC would figure something was wrong after busting an altitude assignment, heading assignment, etc....

Contact with ATC is not an issue. Standard procedure after loss of radio communications (absent some other emergency) is to fly your instrument flight plan as filed (or last amended). If a plane is not responding to radio inquiries and is following its plan, ATC will clear traffic out of the way.

[TaRaRaBoomDeAyGoreLostToday!]

COMB MISTAKEN FOR KNIFE ON AMERICAN AIRLINES JET.

[gatorbait]

I agree with you about the programming.In a way,it was nice to pull a 12 hour shift today.The pilots were all asking about rumored shutdowns and the like. I think i'll cap this day by going about my business.

Dave

[southland]

Yes we agree if some pilots carry weapons the hijackers will have to guess what they are dealing with. How in the world did the armed pilots lose their "right" to protect themselves and their passengers. 3 weapons in the right hands "may" have saved the Trade Towers and the Pentagon. But the rules at the time were to "do anything the hijackers wanted" Which contributed to the demise of the Trade Towers and part of the Pentagon.
When I was an Air Force pilot I carried a hand weapon and a secret devise more powerful than all ordinase used in WW2 and Korea combined. Armed pilots are not a new thinking.

[Libertina]

Well YOURS is the voice of reason. Thank you Southland for serving our country and keeping us safe.

[cinFLA]

What? He said he would file a lawsuit -- thereby proving me right and that 30 others would join the lawsuit making it ridiculous. What you think everyone is a patriotic American and likes to defend themselves -- even on 9/11 the rats don't stop chewing away.

Where did you find that he and the 30 would file a lawsuit?

[Squawk 8888]

What is wrong with the PILOTS second admendment rights and defending them selves and the passengers?

Especially when the Criminal Code definintion of Peace Officer includes "the pilot-in-command of an aircraft in flight." We're the only cops in North America who aren't allowed to arm ourselves.

[anymouse]

Houston radio said that the suspect was unfolding a foldable comb, that another passenger thought was a knife. I know they make novelty combs that look like switchblade knives. Maybe it was one of those.

Maybe this guy thought it would be cute to scare people. I bet he wishes different now.

Who uses a folding comb anyway?