I have a security responsibilty within a UK airline and also I am a line pilot.
I have read all the postings and have,at last, been forced to respond. Luckily I know that the Neanderthal mind set of those above is not typical of the majority of US pilots. However the isolationist and arrogant "it will never happen to us" attitude of ALL in the US aviation industry allowed the US airport security to lapse to the state that it was in pre Sep 11.
Sadly the situation has barely improved despite lots of meaningless armed presence - nor will it whilst the people like those above refuse to comply "to get respect".
It is obvious they also have been some very selective recall of things in the past
-------------------------------------------. .How many of them were employees of the carriers involved or any carrier for that matter? . .----------------------------------------
They didn't have to be! They did it quite well as it was but some had clocked up enough trips within the US to become Frequent Fliers
Incidentally, how many Lufthansa uniforms were found discarded by the terrorists in Boston afterwards? They had certainly intended to imitate a crew.
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The fact remains that NO US airline pilot has ever hijacked himself or another aircraft, despite the availability of weapons such as nail clipper files, tweezers and the crash axe! . .-----------------------------
Remember the FEDEX incident or the South West 146?
Remember that all the Sep 11 flights were internal domstic flights - chosen for the lax security applied to those flights. .---------------------------------------. .There is a big difference between having a pilot's license and being an airline pilot.. .--------------------------------------
Is there - security-wise? Do we rate the security status of a pilot on the quality of his licence?
If you object to being screened, do you think that there should be a separate check for 'foreign' aircrew? They too fly within close proximity of your buildings. You may not be aware that the British licence comes without a counter-terrorism check (CTC) - just like yours does! In fact no British aviation ID includes a CTC EXCEPT those worn by people who work in security and the very people that you slag off. THEY HAVE TO HAVE CTC CLEARANCE
We are all trying to ensure that there are no more incidents of any kind. The shoe bomber incident SHOULD have reminded people that the threat is still out there. I, for one, will happily be subjected to whatever screening may be required to acheive that!
Safe flying!
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Heads down! Incoming...... <img src="smile.gif" border="0"> <img src="smile.gif" border="0">