Under my signature is the secure skies web page. For all of those who are against arming pilots, please read this page with an OPEN mind. Here's some excerpts from that site. PLEASE go to the site to get the full information. http://www.secure-skies.org/Weapons.asp It is still possible to get weapons on board an aircraft http://www.secure-skies.org/Arming_Pilots.asp Pilots that participate in the FFDO program will continue to execute their primary command/flying functions except in a dire emergency. FFDO pilots on cockpit duty will never leave the cockpit to deal with cabin issues or criminal activity. In any hijacking situation that remains isolated to the passenger cabin, the FFDO will be trained to remain in the cockpit behind the reinforced cockpit door. Only when all other measures have failed and the cockpit door is being broken down will an FFDO be authorized to use his firearm to protect the airplane. No pilot will be paid by the U.S. government for participation in the FFDO program. Each pilot authorized to carry a firearm in the cockpit would be a volunteer, would have to pass a rigorous training program and would be deputized as a Federal Flight Deck Officer (FFDO) upon completion. Even though these pilots would be trained in law enforcement, they would not be expected or authorized to stop or prevent criminal activity that remains isolated to the passenger cabin. The sole purpose of the weapon would be to deny cockpit access to hijackers and it would be used only in the most extreme cases where the cockpit door has been broken down and killers are entering the cockpit. As airline pilots, we are entrusted with an aircraft valued at many millions of dollars, thousands of gallons of jet fuel and the un-quantifiable value of the lives of our passengers. Today's final line of defense for the new hijacking threat involves the unthinkable specter of a U.S. military fighter jet shooting down a defenseless passenger airliner. A more reasonable line of defense prior to that horrendous measure would be to establish the Federal Flight Deck Officer Program and provide these pilots with the equipment and training necessary to defend our passengers, crew and airplane. http://www.secure-skies.org/Non-Lethal%20Weapons.asp Non-lethal force escalates a bad situation instead of stopping it permanently. After using non-lethal force on an attacker, his adrenalin will be higher and his anger level increased. He must be immediately, permanently and effectively restrained. This is impossible for pilots to accomplish in a cockpit. Terrorists work in well-trained teams and it is very unlikely that untrained passengers will be able to control them. According to law enforcement professionals, non-lethal weapons are only recommended when defending against a single, unarmed attacker, and, once an attacker does even one of the following, lethal force is necessary and justified: Avails himself of any weapon (even an improvised one), employs an accomplice, or gives the police officer reason to believe he is a trained fighter. Today's hijackers meet all these criteria. They are highly trained-ALPA suspects similar to Special Forces training--and they are armed and work in groups. All these factors eliminate the use of non-lethal force as an appropriate response. When fired, the Air TASER unit continues to deliver its shock for 5 seconds to keep the attacker down. After five seconds, the impulse is stopped and recovery time begins. TASER warns that if the attacker is not incapacitated, or if there are multiple attackers, the user must be prepared to use the unit as a stun gun; i.e., hand-to-hand combat. It is absurd to place pilots, upon whose survival the lives of hundreds of people depends, in the position of engaging in close quarters combat with highly trained terrorists. It is even more unreasonable to expect a successful outcome. In the FBI SOAR report dated December 4, 2001, Page 3, the FBI recommends arming volunteer airline pilots that pass a screening and training program with handguns. In the same report, page 3, 6th bullet, the FBI states: "Less than lethal devices, including stun guns and Tasers should not be relied upon to defend the cockpit of an aircraft." (Emphasis added.) Perhaps the best reason is that the TSA (a government (i.e. inefficient) agency doesn't want it. http://www.cnsnews.com/ViewNation.asp?Page=\Nation\archive\200302\NAT2003022 4b.html As far as paying for the training: I don't know. I have written the APSA to find out. David R. http://home.attbi.com/~damiross http://www.secure-skies.org/ ----- Original Message ----- From: "Liam Tully" <lrtully@xxxxxxxxx> To: <AIRLINE@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> Sent: Monday, April 07, 2003 11:12 PM Subject: Re: [AIRLINE] [Sky-1] First group of airline pilots set to begin firearms training Lets all hope these "graduates" will be issued with black stetsons or spur's or something, so we can identify them, and avoid flying with carriers who put up with this crap. Jeeeeeez! I cant even get my nail clippers/shoes through security... I sure do not want to be ANYWHERE near the "CLASS OF 03" when THEY check in for their flight's, or try to go through security Note the dateline on the AP report - BRUNSWICK, GA. hmmmmmmmm.... GLYNCO, GA., must be a "fun" place to live.... Anyone know who is paying for this 50 hour "shootout in Glynco"? Liam. YVR. .