1. If the pax manage to stop the terrorists, they won't be tearing down the cockpit door. Hence, no need for lethal cockpit defense. Can we be sure that that will be 100 percent effective? OF COURSE NOT.
2. If someone manages to break through the door, I don't have time to play 20 questions on their motive or identity. For the sake of saving thousands of lives, questions come later.
3. I don't need to go to a "range" to be proficient at hitting a man size target at 4 feet range . . . . just armed and prepared. The hardened door give me time to prepare physically and mentally.
4. The aircraft can fly itself on autopilot if necessary. Because the pilot takes his hands off the yoke and throttle doesn't mean the airplane snaps out of control. Another non-sensical false arguement put forth by the ill-informed or disengenuous.
5. Lethal cockpit defense is LAST DITCH. For those who are challenged by critical thinking, that means that it's the defense of LAST RESORT. Last resort means all other screening, air marshals, Barney Fifes, Fish Inspectors, pax intervention . . . . AND the hardened cockpit door has failed. Lethal cockpit defense is the LAST THING BEFORE COMMAND OF THE AIRCRAFT IS LOST AND THOUSANDS POTENTIALLY ARE MURDERED.
6. The governement and airlines have, so far, show themselves to be INCOMPETENT of defending the cockpit. Personally I don't care what the government or companies want or don't want. It's not THEIR LIVES at stake everyday. It's ours - EVERYDAY.
Security is best in layers. Forbidding the final and most effective form of defense is just plain stupid.
And BTW, cockpit defense weapons should be installed as aircraft equipment in quick reaction safes at each pilot position, not carried on the person.
Last edited by Roadtrip; 13th June 2002 at 16:24.