Unruly (or worse) SLF

[barit1]

Frontier has had a few episodes (http://www.theaviationnation.com/2007/08/26/frontier-airlines-plot-twist-2-incidents-in-36-hours/)

[rotornut]

WestJet upset by cockpit capers

TheStar.com - Canada - WestJet upset by cockpit capers

Men questioned by police after persistent attempts to visit pilot during flight from Calgary to Winnipeg

August 27, 2007
Steve Lambert
Canadian Press

WINNIPEG–Two men made repeated attempts to get into the cockpit during a WestJet flight from Calgary to Winnipeg earlier this month, though police say they won't lay charges.

The men were allowed into the cockpit before the flight took off from Calgary Aug. 8, asking questions about how the instruments worked, said a WestJet official."As they boarded the aircraft, they did ask if they could see the flight deck and were fairly insistent on it, so the captain did take them on the flight deck and showed them a few things," said WestJet spokesperson Gillian Bentley. "They took their seats and during the course of the flight, the two people involved did approach the flight attendant at the front of the aircraft, asking to go on the flight deck again.

"She told them they could not. They were very insistent.

The incident came to light after inquiries by The Canadian Press.

The men were not armed and did not appear intoxicated, Bentley said, but continued to pressure the flight attendant to let them into the cockpit, despite Transport Canada regulations that require the cockpit to be locked and inaccessible to passengers during flights.

Eventually, and only after a phone call from the pilot on the other side of the cockpit door, the men took their seats without the confrontation becoming physical – but many passengers became worried.

"We do understand that some of them were uncomfortable about what happened," Bentley said.

Winnipeg police were called to escort the men off the plane, and decided to let them go without laying charges.

"This was not a reportable incident," said Const. Jason Michalyshen.

Police did not pursue the matter because alcohol was not involved, the flight was not diverted and the on-board "disruption" was not physical, he said.

The airline never determined why the men were so desperate to access the cockpit.

"I don't think it had anything to do with hijacking. I think they just wanted to see the cockpit but there hasn't been any determination as to what their motives were," Bentley said.

Security provisions on many airliners have been improved since the 9/11 terrorist attacks, including reinforced cockpit doors to prevent people from getting access to the flight controls.

Earlier this year, a spokesperson for the Air Canada Pilots Association said there was room for improvement in airplane cockpit security.

Association vice-president Serge Beaulieu said that two doors to separate the cockpit from the cabin would be more secure than the one door that is now common on many large aircraft.

It would provide more protection against a possible terrorist attack, he said.

[Few Cloudy]

Well there you are boys - if they are insistant, let them have their way... or even offload em!

[Caudillo]

Association vice-president Serge Beaulieu said that two doors to separate the cockpit from the cabin would be more secure than the one door that is now common on many large aircraft.

Bravo. More doors! Inspired!

[barit1]

How about a trap door in the floor leading to an airlock, leading to an exit chute/door! :E

[Avman]

What I can't understand is why, when we have to undergo strict interrogation and possible on the spot execution if we don't comply with ridiculous security requirements at airports, can these clowns be released so soon without at the very least a 48 hour grilling by special forces to ascertain just what exactly they were up to.

[chksix]

I agree with Avman. Their motive should be checked.

(Perhaps they were let off the hook to allow the special police to track them after landing...)