Don't mess with Nigel!! Article in full..
BA CONSIDERS GIVING PILOTS STUN GUNS
BRITISH Airways is considering arming its pilots with stun guns and placing sky marshals on flights.
The airline is also looking at the possibility of introducing new computer software capable of compiling a passenger blacklist.
Another option is installing closed-circuit TV cameras on board flights - a plan that had already been trialled by BA before the terror attacks on the US.
But BA has ruled out arming its flight crew with guns or knives as they "may serve only to arm an unarmed intruder".
The raft of possible security enhancements were outlined in the latest edition of BA's weekly in-house journal, British Airways News.
"It was vitally important that we acted quickly, but not in a knee-jerk fashion," said David Hyde, BA's director off safety, security and the environment.
"We have to bring in logical measures designed to counter the events of September 11 - measures which can be sustained. We are committed to remaining a safe and secure airline, with the safety of our passengers, crew and aircraft of paramount importance."
Germany has started putting armed guards on some commercial flight routes to increase safety and improve passenger confidence. A government minister confirmed the new move as latest figures show Germans are taking fewer flights than before the September 11 attacks in the US. Henner Wittling, secretary of state in the transport ministry, said the sky marshals are armed. But he refused to say how many guards were being deployed or on which routes or airlines they were being used.
(edited for typo)
[ 12 October 2001: Message edited by: DouglasDigby ]