Qualified to fly.....

[Singlecoil]

I believe that is why they refer to it as a Ballistic Missile Defense System. But I hear the Container Ship Defense Torpedo System may be fully funded next fiscal year.

Actually I was simplifying it. The government now calls it Ground-Based Midcourse Defense and has classified all further tests to disarm their growing critics.
Like these guys.

 

[Loafman]

But what about the common liberal belief that "Guns 'r bad, M'kay?"

 

[Typhoon1244]

I don't recall the exact number, but something like 90% of the police officers who have been shot were attacked with their own weapon. And these are guys (and gals, I suppose) who are trained to be constantly alert to the possibility of someone snatching their weapon away from them.

I have enough to focus on while doing my job without worrying about a gun. I know what you're going to say: "well, Typhoon, I wouldn't let someone take my gun away from me!" I'm sure that's what those cops said too.

I'm confident my cockpit is safe (from hijackers) without guns in it for four reasons:

(1) As much as we make fun of TSA security techniques, it'd still be difficult for someone to get through with weapons or the tools necessary to breech...

(2) ...the new cockpit door. And even if someone does get a weapon or tools aboard...

(3) ...today's passengers aren't going to let it get that far. And even if they do...

(4) ...I'll bet you $100 I can maneuver an RJ hard enough to keep the bastards off their feet...or knock 'em cold. (I'm sure my F/O's wonder why I never take my shoulder harness off. I'm doing like Tom Ridge says: I'm being prepared.)

We hear a lot about the "layers" of security. As corny as it sounds, I believe in it.

If our government would get off its collective fat behind and take some realistic steps to protect us from terrorists (profiling, real airport security, etc.) pilots wouldn't need to carry guns.

 

[Loafman]

Yeppers.

 

[Stiffler]

She likes my poll

You state that like it is fact. That is only your opinion on where the next attack will be. We can't be sure about that. I for one am not willing to take the risk. The American people aren't either. The last poll showed that 75% of the public is in favor of arming pilots. They don't seem to be so sure that the skies are completely safe.

You can prove anything with polls. I'll bet I could have a poll to show that at least 51% of Americans would prefer to have naked Playboy Playmates as their flight attendants, serving steak and lobster, while the beer flows like wine. I mean, I'd vote yes in that poll. I'll bet most Americans favor free airtravel too.

The big questions I have:
Are pilots still going to have to go through the metal dectectors if we're packing?
Will they take my Leatherman away from me again? (Probably, because I could actually use my Leatherman one heck of a lot more than I'll use the old Desert Eagle.)
Am I still going to have to take my shoes off because they set off the metal detector hand wand? Meanwhile my firearm sits on the table and Cletus the screener wants to see what's inside. So I show him the firearm. He says okie-doke. Then he says that my Leatherman has a blade on it so he'll have to confiscate it.

 

[Loafman]

It's all really asenine window dressing.

 

[mackinhoes]

"where the beer flows like wine." My stomach tells me that sounds good. My high school english teacher tells me that is not quite correct.

Asinine is spelled asinine.

Even though I am a gun nut, and a concealed carry permit holder here in Texas, I think I'm changing my mind about the gun thing. I am now against it. It's only a matter of time until some drunk Continental or America West pilot shoots out a window.

 

[Loafman]

What is this, a fuuking spelling bee? And yes I know I misspelled If-You-See-Kay.