US Pilots Seek Bullet And Grenade Proof Cockpit Doors Sep 19, 2001

Pilots across the United States are demanding bullet and grenade proof doors to stop a repeat of the terrorist strikes on New York and Washington.

Air industry associations are leading the charge to improve security. Their main priority is to install doors which would be unable to open during a flight.

"For us, it's obvious the cockpit now has to become a last line of defense to be held at all costs," said John Mazor, an Airline Pilots Association representative. "Nothing is off the table," he said, "not even guns."

During a conference, employees of airlines discussed possible short-term solutions to the security issue. Suggestions ranged from putting webbing behind the cockpit door to entangle an intruder, giving pilots time to use a stun gun or other weapon, to leaving hot coffee on during takeoff and landing for use against hijackers.

Most experts agree stronger cockpit doors and armed pilots could have made a difference. Current U.S. cockpit doors were designed for privacy, not security.

The Federal Aviation Authority requires the doors to be closed and locked from takeoff until landing, unless a crew member needs to exit. They also have to be breakable from the inside of the cockpit in an emergency.

http://news.airwise.com/stories/2001/09/1000902089.html

-- Martin Thompson (mthom1927@aol.com), September 19, 2001

Answers

It is about time. It is my understanding that the Pilots Union has been against this for years.

-- Martin Thompson (mthom1927@aol.com), September 19, 2001.

I would think pilots should be given the option of carrying weapons if they choose too.

-- PHO (owennos@bigfoot.com), September 19, 2001.

Sealed cockpits is a time which has come. Isreal's national airline has these, and you don't hear about hijacking of Israeli planes, do you?

-- Waward (wayward@webtv.net), September 19, 2001.