I’m not trying to be a salamander in this matter Glasses. I do take it serious, and only make a reference in jest when the solutions get so absurd. Enough to think that pilots as professionals are automatically qualified to carry weapons as suggested? That’s irrational. I know it sounds feasible to many, but it just so far from a probable solution, I spoke against it. To dispel the grief and hard feelings I unintentionally caused Toad, I made a ref. to a popular movie at an attempt to mellow the banter. That’s being civil, and an effort to not make a mockery of this serious situation. Interpret it as you will, I can’t change that.
Any references to the airlines being hesitant to make changes in safety are a fact. Not that they are negligent in every way mind you. It’s just stark reality that you can’t have 100% safe air travel. With unlimited resources, close, but reality and economics make it quite clear that it just can’t be, don’t blame me for this fact. WERE the flying public prepared to pay ticket prices 100% increased prior to this horrid event? Absolutely not. Granted, this is before this indescribable event. I’m still in shock. It’s almost hard to believe. I am assured changes will be made, but the point to be taken is it will have to come from our Government, as in most cases there is just to fine a line in airlines economics and business competition to just up and implement vast changes that could cost billions on their own. I won’t reference past cases of air disasters. It’s too involved.
The flying public may indeed now be more willing to see that airline travel should be as safe as possible, a expensive luxury if you will, as it was years ago, and pay accordingly. I would welcome this change as much or more than any casual reader here.
Plus it’s my opinion only that these tragic events are from a breakdown in government/military intelligence, not by airline cockpit procedures. Hence, I find the majority to the solutions posted to these problems to come from other than the airlines themselves.
There have been military cuts since the Clinton Administration. I’m all for new teachers and health care, but I think as you look as Tuesday’s horrible events unfolded, protecting our country takes precedence over EVERYTHING. You have 50 people planning something like this, and you not have not 1 leak of it? The US government had no clue. If the funding for intelligence is a priority and in place, this is still a movie. If we had taken terrorists as a enemy from the start, and didn’t mix in political rhetoric, striking these bastards without political consequence considered, this is still a fictional movie. I blame lack of political savvy to wipe out our enemies before the unthinkable.
So lets look at why I’m critical of some of the suggestions posted.
If we had strengthened cockpit doors, I can’t see much change. For instance, a 737 door on the normal lock mode where the knob won’t turn take takes 10 lbs of pressure to over come. Keeps people out from making a error from thinking it’s the bathroom door, that’s inches away. When it’s electronically locked, it takes 250lbs of force to over come it. Granted, if I ran down the aisle, I could smash in. So lets reinforce it to say 750 lbs. Now in a much more probable scenario, a normal cockpit crewmember is basically trapped in an emergency. A rescue crewmember is about as helpless opening it at that force. And STILL, you have blow out panels that must be installed to relief pressure in again, a more probable situation, as rapid decompression. 2 terrorists could pry still overcome this by blunt force, or exploit the blow out doors to harm the crew. Should we strengthen it more? I for the life of me can’t find a solution in that. There’s the head level blowout door that can be easily compromised, and safety of the crew to consider. It’s a safety related issue to the aircraft in NORMAL service. I welcome solutions to this. I just can’t find any.
As far as arming the crew, can any military professional, or peace officer please explain how important firearms are, and the years of training they go through making them responsible enough to effectively carry and use them? I consider police officers to be one of the most important and demanding professions period. I always thought hotshot pilots were considered “cowboys” in the military. If it’s a wrong reference, and was surely taken out of context. Pinning a firearm on them because they in fact care for their crew, passengers, aircraft, and that they are professionals in their field is still in my opinion, ridiculous. I respect them without hesitation, for the job they do day in and day out. They have to protect themselves, but where do you draw the line? Again, I see a pepper spray way more probable to a solution of self-defense. I don’t find that far fetched at all. Blinded terrorist can’t fly a plane, or have a knife fight. Do you find this easily implemented defense wrong? I’m more in tune to random sky marshals, although we have discussed the problems in manpower, cost, recognition, which would cause them to be the first targets, and how to implement them.
I know you, as many are deeply affected and saddened by this tragedy. When I pull into work, there are flowers anonymous locals have put on our AA company sign. It damn near brings you to tears. My job and livelihood by my company’s loss will certainly be affected in loss of our AA family, wage concessions, work shutdowns, and the industry crisis sure to come.
I don’t know how you paying more for a gallon of gas for your 150 makes you so much more insightful to call me an amazinhunk, but I’m open to intelligent discussion on solutions.
