My copilot had begun the “Before Starting Engines” checklist. “Rudder pedals and seats?” he challenged.
“Adjusted and locked,” I responded without emotion.
Packing Heat in an Airline Cockpit
Key Takeaways:
- The author, an airline pilot, expresses strong apprehension about the new policy of arming pilots, citing concerns about responsibility, judgment under stress, and the inherent dangers of loaded weapons in a confined space.
- He details numerous practical and logistical flaws in the Federal Flight Deck Officer program, including risks of friendly fire, weapons being turned against pilots, and the ineffectiveness of a handgun in close-quarters combat, also noting the exclusion of cargo pilots.
- The article concludes that arming pilots is an ineffective and high-risk security measure, advocating instead for enhanced pre-flight screening focused on intent, more sky marshals, and improving existing security protocols, as "guns won't stop the terror."
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