Anti-gunners....chew on this

[hyper]

For those against guns in the cockpit, here's something to think about. The next time you go out into the public, take a look around. I'll bet you'll see more than a few people in the course of the day that are all packin' and you don't even know it. Believe me, the environment out there is alot more unstable than in a cockpit. You have $hit-ton better odds at getting shot with a gun in mcdonalds than being in a situation in a jet. That's what you should be worrying about.

I have a CWP and am responsible, legal and stable. I'll bet that out of all the general public that packs, I'm in the minority. But if you're ever riding on my bus and things escalate to a point where my gun is needed, you'll change your tune.........rest assured.

 

[FL000]

Unless you are one who actually works at McDonald's, task saturation is going to be slightly higher in a cockpit than gunning down someone while ordering a happy meal.

FL000--gun toter, but not in the cockpit

 

[hyper]

My point was you have a better chance at getting shot by a nutcase at a mcdonalds than being in a terrorist situation in a jet.....

Gun toter.....where I may need it.

 

[bigr]

Captain John Oganowski and First Officer Tom McGinnis sure got their task saturated.

 

[hyper]

Bottom line is, the only time you will need it is when the cockpit has been penetrated. Now your choices are to defend yourself with some very cumbersome fighting in close quarters (yea right), give up and sit in the back while they repeat history, get shot down, or defend with sidearms (or some form of weaponry-I'll take my Glock please-) and,yes, maybe even still go down. But you'll be going down with a fighting chance.

 

[FL000]

Just for the record, I'm not against legislation allowing guns in the cockpit. I just don't thing I'll personally ever pack one. But I learned long ago to never say never.

 

[EagleRJ]

Go to http://www.alliedpilots.org and check out the APA's demonstration of why stun guns have no place in the cockpit. The demonstration was filmed with the assistance of former Special Forces personnel, and it's a dramatic illustration of just how great the need is for guns in the cockpit.

 

[Tri-holer]

Ok, I'm sold.

Just make sure that we have weapons that are reliable, effective, and sufficient to the task (ie, not a 38 special with 6 rounds but more like a 9mm with 14 rounds and hy-shok ammo).

I much preferred the second scenario.

 

[kilomike]

Last line of defense

As much as I support reasonable gun-control measures, I do feel that there is a need for a last line of defense in the cockpit should some terrorists penetrate the cockpit. It could save lives. I gave this issue alot of thought and was initially against arming pilots but I looked into it more, and realized that I'd rather risk the loss of one person vs. a plane-load of people being shot down by an F16. Also, the idea of having keys, and also giving the pilots the choice would work well since there are some pilots who would not use the gun. But if it was me and my butt you can bet I'd use it to save my life and the lives on board.

 

[bobbysamd]

Guns

Don't forget training. Make sure that crews get the best weapons training available. Perhaps make requalification on the range part of currency.

I don't know the nuts and bolts of the bill, but it would be wise to placard airport public areas, boarding areas and the cabin that entry into the cockpit without authorization is barred by law, that crews are trained and armed and will shoot to kill if necessary.

 

[Acestick]

We give the pilots access to the flight controls, and now we lock them in there so if they WANTED to bring down the plane they could, and nobody would stop them even if they tried. We also have crash axes in the cockpit, yet we still take away their nail files.

People don't realize that their lives are in the hands of the pilots whether they admit it or not...

So why are people saying that giving guns to pilots is not safe???

From block out to block in the pilots have our lives in their hands...And we all have seen what a f*@%ing joke airport security is - so why not let the pilots defend the cockpit and the airplane?

I say that a .45 should be in every flight bag!!!!!

 

[hyper]

Obviously, I'm pro-gun. But all of my statements should assume the existance of a comprehensive training program. I am NOT for pilots having guns (or anyone for that matter) that cannot demonstrate an acceptable level of proficiency. We must do this to have a CWP, so should anyone else.

 

[desert pilot]

HYPER,do you really think that ALL pilots will be allowed to carry guns?Now they are talking about ex military etc. That wont work,non military pilots have the same right to defend the plane and themselves.What about currency-do some shooting during your BFR?SCENARIO FOR YOU-lets say a group of young chinese men on your plane start fighting,you run out with your gun-they take over you your gun and the cockpit! any solutions?

 

[flx757]

SCENARIO FOR YOU-lets say a group of young chinese men on your plane start fighting,you run out with your gun-they take over you your gun and the cockpit! any solutions?

Simple.....don't "run out". That is not part of the equation. The "last line of defense" is in case someone manages to enter the cockpit. Having the pilots exiting it is not the plan.

 

[onetaco]

2) If terrorists know that pilots are "packing" then I would think, since they (the terrorists) who apprarently have no fear of death, would not think twice to dissarm a pilot whether he be at the controls of a jet or in the men's room at an airport terminal.

If terrorists know that airport police & security are "packing" and it's so easy to disarm someone. Why don't they just disarm a cop in the men's/womens's room and use his/her gun?

3) As soon as the cockpit door opens when a flight is in progress (entry doors closed) security is compromised because the pilots can be dissarmed, especially if they're busy.

(Security was comprised when we let these people across our unsecure border. But that's another topic.)

Do you think a pilot would have better odds going hand to hand with a terrorist? Do you think these people want to just fly to Havana and then negotiate on the tarmac for 12 hours? Their goal is to kill you. Do you think an unarmed pilot can somehow just talk the terrorist out of killing everyone? The stakes have gone up. Give a trained pilot a gun so he can use it as the last line of defense. It's to simple...