Bush Opposed Legislation That Would Entrust Airlines

¶ … Bush opposed legislation that would entrust airlines with the decision to arm their pilots. Homeland Security Director Tom Ridge and Transportation Secretary Norman Mineta concur with Bush in opposition to the Young-Mica bill. Of course, the issue of arming commercial pilots came to the force only after September 11, 2001. Before September 11, airline hijackings usually entailed demands to fly the plane to a desired location. Pilots were instructed to comply with the demands of the hijackers in order to preserve the safety of the passengers and avoid unnecessary casualties.

However, the unusual use of commercial aircraft on September 11 as weapons of mass destruction initiated a whole new debate on the handling of hijackers. Because jumbo jets can be used to kill thousands, should pilots be armed with lethal weapons? The Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA) thinks so; the 66,000-person strong union strongly supports the Young-Mica bill permitting airlines to arm their pilots on a voluntary basis. However sincere the desire to thwart future terrorist attacks, providing pilots with firearms is not an ideal measure to prevent terrorism.

Instead, the United States Department of Transportation (DOT) needs to take cues from the international community: no major carrier permits pilots to carry guns, including El Al. The Israeli national airline has not had a hijacking in over three decades. Obviously, arming pilots is not the only solution, nor is it the best one. Pilots fly planes; they should not act simultaneously as law enforcement officials. Although many pilots already have weapons training, arming them could lead to disastrous misuse of their powers.

Furthermore, planes and pilots equipped with guns do not deter clever criminals; in fact, wily hijackers can potentially use the presence of firearms to their advantage. Armed pilots can create more dangerous scenarios than they prevent. Now that a more proactive solution to hijacking is required on every flight, pilots should indeed be made more aware of their role in the cockpit. However, that role does not include the brandishing of a lethal weapon. The full energy of pilots and co-pilots should always remain on the operation of the aircraft.

Were the only people on board the aircraft to be distracted because of cabin commotion, who would land the plane? Passengers, and indeed all persons on the ground, need pilots to maintain full focus on their job. Instead of providing pilots with guns, all aircraft should be equipped with foolproof, bullet-proof cockpit doors and closed circuit security camera systems. Independent air marshals would be a far more feasible solution to the threat of a terrorist attack.

Many pilots received their flight training in the armed forces, so a good number of pilots are already familiar with the rules of firearms. Far from being a reason to hand pilots guns, this fact should be a red flag. Military mentality can degrade into reckless behavior. What is to stop an armed pilot from threatening an unruly passenger with a gun? Displays of machismo and bravery may supersede common sense in an emotionally charged situation.

If the pilot happens to be working while intoxicated, the problem can be life threatening. Stray bullets can shatter windows or windshields, causing rapid air decompression. People not strapped into their seats can be sucked out of the plane. Gunfire could hit innocent passengers as well as the plane's electrical systems. Planes equipped with firearms are not safe vehicles. Furthermore, pilots with guns are added targets for hijackers. Aware of the presence of firearms on board, a hijacker, or a group of hijackers, can easily overtake the aircraft.

Creative criminality caused September 11, and there is no reason why mayhem would not ensue with the arming of commercial pilots. Far from deterring hijackers, the situation may encourage more small- or large-scale terrorism. Perhaps these are the major reasons why El Al employs air marshals instead of arming their pilots. In reality, an exact replication of a September 11-style attack is highly unlikely. More likely, terrorist groups or individuals will think of new ways to overtake aircraft. Placing firearms on board an aircraft is inviting trouble.

And what about buses and trains? They too are vulnerable to attack, but the DOT is not considering arming bus drivers. Nor are there any ways to ensure safety standards: where the weapons would be stored, how much training pilots should receive, and under what circumstances they can brandish their weapon. Pilots wielding weapons may seem like a wonderful way to overtake a hijacker. The tragic attacks of September 11 still fresh in the public's mind, the idea of.