Ironically, banning Jump seat travel may just assist a would-be hijacker.
The advent of Ballistic/Lockable flightdeck doors will in no way stop the ingress to the cockpit of a well organised and determined hijacker(s). Unless the flight crew choose to keep themselves locked in for the entire flight, it only takes a moment to grab the opportunity when the flight attendant delivers the coffee/meals, or a pilot needs to use the bathroom!
Asside from the infamous FEDEX incident some 15 years ago, can anyone tell me the last time an aircraft was taken over by the Jumpseat passenger? Most turboprops, and a large number of medium size jets have a jumpseat that when occupied, effectively acts as a barrier to the flight-deck and the pilots sitting behind the controls.
By taking away the Captain's right to asses and determine the suitability of travel in the jumpseat, the politicians and knee-jerk reactionaries of this world just may be playing into the bad guy's hands.
Perhaps the Government could debate in the Senate the viability of pilots wearing diapers, and/or preparing their own meals as well as flying the aircraft!
