I am a lot more worried about whether they have been drinking before take off.

I'd be one of the armed passengers if my government trusted me.

 

I think it is a wonferful idea. The only people that have to worry about the guns are the hijackers. We've already seen that all it takes is seven men with box cutters. Time we gave them something to think about. I will go one step further and say the dirty words...... racial profiling. Am I racist? NO!! But, it's time to start using common sense. When was the last time a woman from backwoods Kentucky hijacked a plane? And for those apposed to the idea, I pose a question. When you go to the hood do you leave your truck unlocked with the keys in it? NO???? Why not??? Everyone does it. It has always been that way. Why now is it a dirty word?

 

This is a good thing indeed. Not only on the surface but also anyone considering taking over a plane will not really know which flight is armed or not. This will make all flights safer now.

I think only two pilots failed to qualify so far. They will have to reapply. If you can't pass a simple gun safety course, then I would'nt want to fly with that particular pilot.

This is an excellent program for deterrence in the sky.

 

I am an airline pilot and I fully support arming pilots.
Please address any concerns to me or any reasons why we shouldn't be armed. I would love to clarify some mis-understandings and enter into educated debate with anyone.

The gun from the pilot's perspective is to be used as a last resort effort to protect the flight deck of the aircraft. That means that the lunatic trying to get onto the flight deck has made it past the flight attendants, sky marshals, pax, and the reinforced door.

These new doors are fairly inconspicuous and if you aren't intimately familar with the aircraft you probably wouldn't notice a difference. They are much thicker and made of kevlar. Additionaly the locking mechanism makes the door virtually impervious to entry from the cabin. Knowing that, lets say someone has made it to the door. It's going to take a long time to get through these new doors, giving the flight crew plenty of time to have a gun drawn and pointed at a space that on average is only 2.5' X 5'. If that door comes down guess what your going to meet and most people will fill that 2.5' X 5' space making it tough to miss.

 

Yes I am strongly for giving them guns. They should have had them sooner.

Just think the Pre Flight would go something like this.

This is your Captain Bob, We will be reaching our cruising altitude shortly. For those of you who are wondering I am packing a Colt King Cobra, thats a .45 cal pistol, your Co-pilot is carring a Kimber Custom Defense .22 with all the bells and whistles that would accompany that type of gun, and the Senior Flight attendant is packing a .357 Magnum, All three are capable of penetrating body armor at a distance of 25 ft, and leaving a hole in flesh and bone the size of the Grand Canyon, which by the way we will be passing on your left. So sit back and enjoy your flight.

 

I read ya to the point of body armor. Maybe change it to: "One of us with no remorse will splatter your brain matter should you feel the need to misbehave. If you need a translation as to what I'm saying, I suggest you ask around for help now. Relax and enjoy the ride." There's only one pistol round I know of capable of punching through some types of protective gear. None of the above are close. Look up the .224 Boz on google and see what ya come up with. It's a nasty little bugger.

 

I was being Sarcastic

 

Sorry to bust all the gun in the cockpit believers, I am personaly for it, but the door, the gun and the pilot are all vulnerable to human fraility.

A committed terrorist with a knife and half a brain can still wreck havoc enought to gain access and have the plane.

I fly, fairly frequently, into and out of Regan National... the sky marshalls are pretty easy to spot if you just spend the time to observe clothing and behavior. Easy

Well trained Police, FBI and other trained law enforcement folks occasionally get into situations where having the gun is not stopping the bad guy from being bad.

A committed suicidal murderer has no problem killing one at a time until the good guys cry for him to stop. Many good cops have died trying to save one more innocent death.

It will take a very very strong man/woman in the cockpit to get the plane on the ground while this is happening....

Not a thing wrong with trained gun toting pilots.

Over the last two years I have observed the flying public relax and quickly return to their selfish "me first" ways, and I am sure that if terrorist really wanted to, the sky isn't really any safer.

I do believe that terrorist are all about Spectacular One Upsmanship, and I doubt that there is much respect to be gained from Allah for copying others work. So look for better planned, more inovative attacks.

I believe we have not seen the last of this hatred.