LONDON, England -- The British Airline Pilots Association (BALPA) has come out against the government's planned deployment of armed sky marshals on passenger flights.
"Sky Marshals with weapons seem ludicrous when we rightly spend time and money screening for weapons. The introduction of another official on board civil aircraft confuses lines of command, which need to be absolutely clear when there is an emergency, " according to security statement on BALPA's Web site.
"BALPA does not agree with this initiative" but said they would work with the government on how they should be deployed.....
Quote:
A report commissioned by the UK government recommended earlier this month that marshals be placed first on trans-Atlantic flights. If that proved successful, the program should be extended to most flights, said the report by former Conservative Party lawmaker Sir John Wheeler.
(quote is from same article).
It would seem that the pilots are relying too heavily on screening measures and ignoring the benefits of multiple layers of security. Apparently the British government also thinks Sky Marshalls are a good idea. What does everybody think of the Sky Marshall idea? Is it a wise one or overkill?
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very good idea can never be to careful,and besides terrorists have found all sorts of ways to get weapons aboard with out detection, seems the brit pilots are more worried about there status as viewed by the passengers not real smart to put your rank or pride over safety for passengeres and other crew members
The pilots job is to fly the aircraft. I would think he has enough to do or why do they need a co-pilot, navigator etc.
What is their extent of training in the area of dealing with terrorist? They are no longer hi-jackers and they will kill the pilot once they get control of the aircraft.
Pilots are a dime a dozen now adays with all the cut backs in the airline industry. They have a couple of choices here: Do as they are told and work with the security people, don't fly flights coming into US airspace or get a job driving a bus.
This appears to me to be more of an ego thing than well thought out response to a changing world.
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Now you have to picture a combination of PeeWEE Herman and Wally Cox but with less muscle tone, trying to be intimidating None of this is funny! Message edited by Cougar Mag -- 1/7/2005 1:16:42 AM >/b]
Ignorant people thinking ignorant thoughts and spouting off at the mouth with out actually thinking about what they are saying.
Why does anyone need a security alarm on their car when it has locks? Why do we need locks on our house if we have a dog? Hell, why do we even need the police sicne we have locks, alarms, and dogs?
LOGS, aparantly to these pilots you served no purpose during your law enforcemend days since we all make sure that all of our doors are locked and we look out the window before we go to bed at night as our security measures. Man, I can't believe we wasted all of that money on all of our police officers.[:@]
What idiots!!![:'(]
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"The danger to America is not Barack Obama but a citizenry capable of entrusting a man like him with the Presidency........... Blaming the prince of the fools should not blind anyone to the vast confederacy of fools that made him their prince. The Republic can survive a Barack Obama, who is, after all, merely a fool. It is less likely to survive a multitude of fools such as those who made him their president."
One thing is for certain. Both UK pilots and UK airlines understand money. If in fact the UK pilots prevent the Marshalls from flying on board.....those of us that disagree should voice our opinions with our money. Do NOT fly on any airline (UK or otherwise) that practices policies that disagree so fundementally with your beliefs.
They understand unemployment, insolvency, and bankruptcy!
And if you think you can't make that big of a difference......ask the French about boycotts!
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If british Airways pilots refuse to have Sky Marshalls aboard their flights, I think we should charge them for the cost of having our military fighters escort their planes into American airspace and airports. Or better yet, tell them no more flights until the Sky Marshalls are on the planes. then everybody who wants to fly from england to america or vice versa would use another air carrier who understands the reason for security and doesn't oppose it.
__________________
Jesus Christ--The reason for the season!
If you can read this, thank a teacher. If you can read this in English, thank a veteran.
If you're certain you know everything, there's little opportunity to learn anything.
The pilots job is to fly the aircraft. I would think he has enough to do or why do they need a co-pilot, navigator etc.
oh puleassssse, modern passenger jets almost fly them selves, except for take off and landing a computer does the flying.
So lets me see If I have this straight, your a pilot and your sitting in the cock pit and 3 guys are trying to break down the door to the cock pit and one of your flight attendents calls you and the intercom and tells you that the men are armed with knives and hacking and slashing the passengers, would you rather be a pilot with a gun or a pilot without?
I believe that every pilot/co-pilot that wants to be armed should be so. Have them qualify on a standard course of qualification....similar to what would be required of a normal patrol officer....or in some states CCW requirements. Then allow them to carry.
The argument that they might not be trustworthy with a firearm on a plane is the most inane suggestion I think I've ever heard. You already trust the individual to fly the plane!!!! If they were an immature jerk....or a homicidal maniac....do you really think they'd need a gun to kill people?
The purpose of the gun in a pilot's hands is to prevent intrusion into the cockpit and commandeering of the aircraft. The Marshall's job is to both....protect the aircraft....and to protect the passengers. They each have overlapping objectives...but distinctly different responsibilities. And they are both needed and a very good idea.
Terrorist understand one concept.......overwhelming force and response!
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UK Pilots Don't want Air Marshalls
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