But Guvnor, by the time the terrorist is kicking his way into the cockpit, he has already either got superior weaponry to the Skymarshal, or has taken the marshal down and has his weapon, so it is immaterial to him whether or not there is a weapon in the cockpit. He will already have killed at least one in the cabin and will have no compunction in killing the cockpit crew. The cockpit will certainly be aware something is amiss.
Things are desperate.
I am not going to sit quietly in the drivers seat, am I ? If the a/p is working it will be on , and I, and probably f/o too, will be out of the direct line of fire if at all possible. I admit in present equipment I will have c/b indents all over me for a long time, but say what.
All we have left is me, or the f/o , or else it's the empire state, eiffel tower, or what have you.
You think I won't have the fear/courage to shoot to kill?