Tripower
You're wrong. I have thought this through very carefully.
Obviously not..........
It is you who have failed to think it through. You think that possession of a firearm will make you invincible.
Don't tell me what I think...........You obviously have no idea what you're talking about! Posession of a firearm doesn't make anyone invincible, actually, I know that, because I have had posession of firearms my entire adult life. It is merely a tool. I realize that years of socialist education have made you think that you are too stupid to operate one, but I am of the opinion that if you'd get OFF your high horse, and actually think the situation through till the end, that there is no other choice!
You think that the only training you need to use a weapon against someone is purely mechanical.
Actually, just like any other emergency in the aircraft, there is a certain amount of mental prep needed for this as well.......I figured that since I was talking (presumably) to a fellow pilot, that this point would be obvious.
I'm not saying that guns are complicated pieces of equipment, I'm saying that I don't trust you, or anyone else who hasn't had years of experience, to use the gun properly and effectively in a situation where my life depends on it.
What if I have had years of experience (which I have.....I've been handling firearms at least as long as I've been flying).......the point is moot, since you either trust my judgement, or you don't. Just because it's a (gasp) gun that we're discussing, doesn't change my thinking patterns............
To use an analogy, the equivalent is to suppose that simply understanding how to use the flight controls means that you will know exactly what to do and when to do it when something unexpected happens to your aircraft. No. You learn that by long hours of training and experience, so that when you lose an engine during take-off roll, or experience a strong sidewind gust on short finals, you immediately take the right action; you've done it so many times (even of only on the simulator) that it is second nature. In a similar way, close-quarter combat with firearms is not something that anyone has a natural ability for; it requires long continuous and ongoing training.
Bad analogy............I will once again repeat myself........If the terrorist gets in the cockpit, and we are unarmed, we have no chance of defending the aircraft. This is simple, folks! The choice is would you rather have your throat slit, or defy the years of brainwashing and use a little logic........
Besides all that, you also fail to grasp the practicalities of your scenario.
Actually, it is you that fail to grasp the practicalities of the situation........
No authority will countenance the existence of a loaded (round in chamber), unsafe weapon just hanging around in the cockpit. Not the law-enforcement and certainly not the FAA. So, if you do happen to get your wish, you will probably have some kind of handgun, with a full magazine, safely locked in a cupboard with the chamber empty and the safety catch on. There is absolutely no guarantee whatosever that you will have either the time or the presence of mind to make that weapon useful before Mr Terrorist gets to you and gets possession of it.
Well, there you are probably right! Logic would dictate that the weapon be carried on the pilot's person, ready for immediate use. Governmental institutions are known for their logical thinking. Leaving an unattended weapon in the cockpit is asking for trouble. That is opening up a huge can of worms. I don't want to be responsible for or rely on a weapon that I've never shot, or have any clue about it's mechanical condition. Unless they will let us pop off a few rounds prior to accepting tha aircraft, I'd feel uncomfortable. If the pilot has his own weapon, that he is responsible for maintaining, then there is no confusion about safety catches, loading status etc......Last time I checked, there were no rules regarding the disposition of an LEO's weapon aboard my airplane. They are carrying concealed handguns in the back of my airplane. What kind of counter terrorist training do you think a postal inspector has? The FAA has no problem letting them on my airplane with a loaded gun! Why are pilots too stupid to have one?
It seems completely ludicrous to me that we should be spending so much resources on making sure that absolutely nothing of any shape or form whatsoever that even slightly resembles a weapon - even dinner knives - gets on an aeroplane, and then go and plant a handgun with ammunition right there on the plane where everyone knows it's going to be! It's so stupid it makes my head spin.
I agree, it IS stupid to spend all these resources to confiscate toiletries. It would be much cheaper and effective to simply train and arm pilots.
How do you feel about the sky marshall program...........that plants a gun right in the middle of the cabin, where there are lots of tactical problems and liabilities, and a much greater likelyhood of the terrorists taking control of the weapon, or of a passenger getting hit. I don't care how well "trained" they are. If there are enough bad guys, they will get the gun..........
Not arming pilots as a last resort is so stupid, it makes MY head spin........
[ 17 October 2001: Message edited by: Tripower455 ]