Ejector Pump,
I fully concur. Some of these guys think pilots are the only ones who receive any sort of training. That the captain is some ‘supreme being' who makes infallible decisions, on any issue affecting the lives and decision making processes of several hundred independent ‘units' following the cockpit slipstream.
Once doors are closed those passengers and crew become an autonomous community, isolated from any form of physical intervention (apart from missile attack) until doors open at the destination. The events of September 11th further compound issues if one considers that such an autonomous community may revert to a missile of destruction against people far removed from all things aviation.
What other community with the potential to cause untold destruction to an industry, impact financially upon nations, levy incalculable costs in litigation and to commence across border wars, is permitted to exist without some form of policing!
For twenty-five years I have transported police and more specifically emergency response teams throughout the state. Such teams are highly skilled and trained in their craft and selected for their personal attributes. Their knowledge encompasses law, psychology, ballistics and various sciences associated with the job they do. Such people are not some muscle brained security guard who may nick your pocket knife at the gate lounge as you head for the cockpit. These people work as a team and complement each other in achieving a peaceful outcome to very difficult situations. Force is a last resort and used to the minimum extent necessary.
During flight operations I am always consulted on the possible hazards to ourselves and the risks posed to themselves and victims if delays or diversions are necessary. They are particularly mindful of the nature of their firearms, incendiary and gas equipment and possible loss of life if discharged at 41,000 feet and 8 psi cabin diff.
No hijacker is going to tempt fate and fail in his mission against the possibility of confrontation with a well trained, armed adversary. It is painfully obvious that Al-Qaeda selected soft targets on September 11th and not the more formidable Israeli carrier.
Surely aircraft captains have more important issues at hand than leaving the cockpit to attend some issue with a troublesome passenger. Law enforcement and associated decisions should be left to well trained experts, after all they are on the spot and fully understand the ramifications of a botched job!