Armed aircraft pilots...

[Corno Dolce]

American aircraft pilots had since 1961 the option of bringing firearms into cockpits. Two months before 9/11 the FAA banned that practice. November 2001 that ban was lifted. Now, imagine if the pilots of the hijacked aircraft were carrying "heat"? We would have avoided the horror that would take place. American airline pilots are now also called FFDO's(Federal Flight Deck Officers)and are armed.

[Krummhorn]

Gee, our government lifted that ban within two months? Goes to show you Congress can actually do stuff in a shorter amount of time ... ... that should be the norm all year, every year ...

I'm not sold entirely on arming the pilots ... A shootout between the pilot and a hijacker in the cabin with hundreds of other passengers can't be the most ideal place for such an activity. Airport security is supposed to catch this stuff before people board the airplane ... if they are missing things, then that aspect needs to be beefed up. Travelers need to be assured that everything is being done to ensure their safety while on board ... everything!

[marval]

I am with Krummhorn on this. I am not sure about arming pilots, yes something needs to be done to stop hijackers, but firing wildly on a plane is a scary thought.

Perhaps stun guns? just enough to stop them in their tracks, without the risk of harming innocent people.

But I do think there needs to be better security at the airports, there should be no chance of armed people getting on planes. Even if it means longer waiting to board, better that and know your flight will be safe.


Margaret

[Krummhorn]

Great thought, Margaret ... Tasers ... They use those around this region and their effect is rather "stunning" to say the least. Brings even the toughest, meanest hoodwink down in a matter of seconds, and without any permanent bodily harm or damage.

I am all for longer wait lines if it translates into greater security. It is a sign of our times, I suppose. Technology must exist for full body scans one would think - now is the time to implement that, which would eliminate the need for me to wear my bedroom slippers when boarding a plane .

[marval]

Well I went to Kenya in 1976, and when I came back we had to go through a full body scan machine. It picked up the slightest thing. I had a little boy with me I was looking after, and the airport security even insisted on examing the bag with nappies and potty, would not take my word for it.

People who complain about long waiting times should be grateful, that their security is taken seriously. What is a few more minutes out of their life, better than a quick loading and them BANG, life over.


Margaret

[Krummhorn]

Amen on that, Margaret ... amen on that!!

Wonder why Kenya, 32 years ago, had that technology and we don't in our day and age? Maybe some bureaucratic obstacles are standing in the way ... seems mighty strange this many years later.

[marval]

Hi Krummhorn

I wondered that myself, it did make one feel secure.

It seems nowadays that the beaurocrats don't know what is important or not.

Give me safety any day, if you haven't got that very little else matters.


Margaret

[Muza]

Regarding airport security

+ YouTube Video

[methodistgirl]

Do you want to know what's wrong with american travel? We tend to
get relaxed when time goes on and nothing else happens for a while
and boom! A hijacker sneaks through or a drug pusher gets on board
the plane.
judy tooley

[Muza]

Thats exactly it, Judy! you are quite right about that. Thats just the human nature - to relax when nothing happens, and then boom!!! when you least expect it.

About long lines, Europe has an interesting way to avoid it. I was quite surprised by it actually. Instead of one huge long line infront of all the gates, what they did was put scanners at every gate. That way, only people who are at a certain gate boarding a certain flight go through the security check point at one time. This is better for security too, because the agents are more carefull and can be more scrutinizing, cause they dont have to hurry cause of the long lines. And the security is right before the airplane is boarded.

Of course its less economically efficient for the airport (cause they would have to invest in, say 50 scanners instead of 2 or 5 like we have in most airports), but you get to avoid the long lines and I think the security is better.