Armed airline pilots: policy and implementation

Pilots and Guns

Attention getter -- I am on a jet flying high above the Atlantic Ocean and the flight seems fine. Then, I hear a gunshot coming from the pilot's cabin. Instantly, the plane depressurizes and I suddenly wake up in a cold sweat. Wow, what a dream. Good thing no one is allowed to carry a gun on a plane. Wait, was it really a dream? This report tries to answer the question of whether airline pilots should be allowed to carry guns.

The thesis of the report can be stated in two ways:

Airline pilots have a responsibility to defend them selves, protect their passengers and maintain control of their airplane, but they should not be allowed to carry guns on flights

Since airline pilots have a responsibility to defend them selves, protect their passengers and maintain control of their airplane, they should be allowed to carry guns but only if they also use specialized bullets that won't cause depressurization

C. Summary of main points:

First argument -- Although there may seem to be a need for pilots to carry guns, pilots bringing guns on board planes may actually increase dangers and create new risks.

2. Second argument -- Rubber bullets or self-destruct bullets that disintegrate upon contact with hard objects may create a situation where guns could be considered safe enough because they would not cause depressurization.

3. Third argument -- I wouldn't want some bus driver carrying a gun on the street so do really want a pilot acting like the police at 30, 000 feet?

II. Discussion of first point

A. Topic sentence: Since 9/11, the fact that terrorism is real and that airplanes can become potential missiles confirms the fact that pilots do have a responsibility to defend them selves, protect their passengers and maintain control of their airplane.

B. Support for first argument

The airline industry knows they have a responsibility to protect passengers, flight crews and anyone an airplane could potentially hurt outside the plane. But, pilots are not gunfighters so they shouldn't carry guns in the cockpit. Pilots bringing guns on board may actually increase dangers or create new risks. For example, if a terrorist is on a plane with a box cutter and he then grabs the pilot's gun, the pilot has made the terrorist more dangerous. If a gun is fired into a pressurized plane, the potential to hit an innocent bystander in the confined quarter or the potential of depressurization at high elevations make guns to dangerous. Guns are not the answer. Simply securing the door to the cockpit and therefore isolating the pilot form the passengers makes much more sense than a gun.

C. Transition -- I am sure there are some situations that need guns so maybe there are other options.

III. Discussion of second point

A. Topic sentence: Rubber or frangible bullets that self-destruct or disintegrate upon contact with a hard object may create a situation where guns could be considered safe enough.

B. Support for second argument

If pilots were to undergo SWAT like training and then be given only frangible bullets that are made up of special powdered alloys rather than lead or other metal bullets, then a pilot could consider carrying a gun. Softer metal bullets that are designed to shatter on hard surfaces should make the situation somewhat safer for depressurization but not innocent bystanders because soft bullets are still destructive to people.

C. Transition -- Even with special training, the key here is that pilots are not cops.

IV. Discussion of third point

A. Topic sentence Even with special training, there is some comparison between bus drivers and pilots and I don't want my bus driver packing on the street so I am sure I do not want a pilot acting like the police at 30, 000 feet when he should be flying the plane.

B. Support for third argument

Police officers go through years of special training and testing to make sure they are prepared to do what it takes to apprehend criminals. Pilots on the other hand go through years of training to fly airplanes safely. Are we going to make pilot training a dual major? Are pilots now going to need psychological testing and background checks, and mad firearms training to get a deputized like in the old west? I want a pilot, not a federal law enforcement official flying my plane.

C. Transition -- Although I am sure there are pilots out there who could easily become police officers, I prefer to separate the two professions.

V. Conclusion

A. summary In conclusion, this report tried to answer the question of whether airline pilots should be allowed to carry guns. I am against the whole pilot gun thing. It is true that a few years ago the most dangerous guy at the airport was the airport Skycaps trying to get you to pay too much for carrying your bags. Today, passengers see the National Guard, fully armed to boot. In my opinion, the idea of a national guardsman running around the airport with a 45 has already made me a little jittery. Add to the mix that my pilot may cap somebody later on the flight and I think the train may be the way to go.