I agree that arming the flight deck isn't the answer. Pilots have enough to do as it is. To ensure in-flight security, you're talking about a new, dedicated job function in commercial aviation, just as you have with cabin crew, loadmasters, ticket agents, and so on.
I do not believe the airlines should be asked to solve this problem, however. Not only are there the obvious revenue pressures, but we've seen how effective the US air carriers are at ensuring airport security, and that's not a model I want to see repeated.
I would pay a surcharge of $5 or $10 a ticket to fund a new function of the US federal government for US flagged carriers--a joint venture between the FAA and the FBI/Armed Forces/Secret Service, say. This would pay for the skymarshals or whatever we'd call them. I think a lot of people would agree with me on this after what just happened on Tuesday...
(And for the record, this should be in addition to increased airport and ground security measures too.)
[ 13 September 2001: Message edited by: MrBill ]