First, making a group of people exempt from scanning per se could possibly provide a means for a determined and organised terrorist to exempt HIMself. i.e. A uniform which could possibly be used as a means of gaining an exemption. So, through the scanner we must go.
Not picking on you...... just the easiest to quote....
My heartburn stems from the fact that (in the US), the
least likely to require a weapon to take over an airplanes, are the
only employees that are screened for weapons.
The argument about holding a pilot's family hostage IS weak, inasmuch as why go to the bother when you can simply get a an easily aquired, high turnover job on the ramp (bag thrower) and BYPASS "security" screening every day........ It goes against the KISS theory. Too many people get involved with a kidnapping. Invariably the law will called and the successful outcome of the hijacking attempt comes into question. They are crazy, but not stupid.......
Again.............
The reason d'etre for PASSENGER screening is to screen them for weapons that would allow them to take over an airplane. Pilots, per our job description
take over an airplane, with or without a weapon, EVERY time we go to work......
We can walk through the screening process naked, and we still take over an airplane. What has been accomplished? Why couldn't the bad guys hold my family hostage to coerce ME to fly the aircraft into a building or simply give them a crash axe once airside? Pax screening for pilots could not prevent either from happening, but that is too far fetched I suppose. What about armed LEOs riding in the back? They are ALLOWED to carry a weapon...... What about their families? What about rampers? Are their families not to be considered either?
Weak argument, IMHO........
We are either trusted agents, or we are not. Screening pilots as pax accomplishes nothing.