In the end, the US authorities don't really care what European airlines/pilots, and indeed other nations/pilots...think, if it has been decided that armed air marshalls will be on flights to the USA, then they will be on, if the respective foreign aircarrier wants to continue serving US destinations.
Simple as that.
Pilots/unions will not have much of a say in the matter, irrespective of what they may pontificate here.
Companies and governments will decide, and if individual pilots don't like the outcome, all the respective foreign government needs to do is say...either abide by the regulations, or your flying license is hereby cancelled.
Which, oddly enough, is what they do now, when flight crew don't follow regulations.
BALPA will decide? Hardly.
BALPA, and its members, as a collective body, have not been able to decide what time of day it is for the last thirty years....and nothing will be accomplished by them now.
Want to keep flying that shiney new jet airliner, to destinations within the USA?
Do as you are told by the company/CAA/government.
Blair is not going to rock the boat.
Don't like it....vote him out of office.
In case anyone didn't notice, aviation/airlines are a regulated enterprise, rules are put in place for the safety of all concerned, changed from time to time as conditions change.
Dangerous times demand tighter security. And if it is determined that armed air marshalls are needed for enhanced security, they will be provided.
Like it or not...and many will certainly not.
Displeased?....leave the industry.
Last edited by 411A; 7th Jan 2004 at 21:31.