Firearm discharges on US Airways flight

[freedom]

I don’t think touching on the emotional and mental well being of us airways pilots is off subject at ALL … you need look no further than the pilot thread to begin to question the mental health of some of our pilots .

A pilot today wrote

“I invite anyone to do so. I will be glad to have a discussion with anyone who would like to approach me and ask a sincere question. If you would like to approach me and have a less than sincere discussion, I will be more than glad to dance with you.â€￾

Please tell me that’s not an invitation to FIGHT ?

When I can walk around the terminal and easily be able to tell east pilot from west pilot , you know something’s wrong …

You can quote the TSA directives and different opinions on the federal program that allows our pilots to carry guns , but in my view the federal government is usually a dollar short and a day late .

This is a very basic premise , see if you can grasp it , people who may be mentally unsound , or emotionally unstable should not be armed .

 

[N965VJ]

<SNIP> This is a very basic premise , see if you can grasp it , people who may be mentally unsound , or emotionally unstable should not be armed .

So I’m guessing you and your family will never non-rev again, with that dangerous crash axe in the flight deck.

Back OT, is there any news on the CO from this incident?

 

[Richard]

What Edward said.....this is NOT a political forum....keep it on the discussion of the incident or it will be moved or closed altogether.

 

[nycbusdriver]

This is a very basic premise , see if you can grasp it , people who may be mentally unsound , or emotionally unstable should not be armed .

But it's okay with you that they control and carry you, your loved ones and over a hundred other human beings around on a 500+ mph vehicle?

Now, tell me again who is the mentally unsound one?

 

[WCT]

I don’t think touching on the emotional and mental well being of us airways pilots is off subject at ALL … you need look no further than the pilot thread to begin to question the mental health of some of our pilots .

A pilot today wrote

“I invite anyone to do so. I will be glad to have a discussion with anyone who would like to approach me and ask a sincere question. If you would like to approach me and have a less than sincere discussion, I will be more than glad to dance with you.â€￾

Please tell me that’s not an invitation to FIGHT ?

When I can walk around the terminal and easily be able to tell east pilot from west pilot , you know something’s wrong …

You can quote the TSA directives and different opinions on the federal program that allows our pilots to carry guns , but in my view the federal government is usually a dollar short and a day late .

This is a very basic premise , see if you can grasp it , people who may be mentally unsound , or emotionally unstable should not be armed .

Freedom, I do respect your opinion. But, I for one fly with our pilots for a living, and I encounter many East pilots on layovers. NO one in my opinion, has ever given me the impression of such aggression. They are the most trained proffesionals the airline has to offer, besides the mechanics, and I for one do give them the respect for the most part, always. And, working is such close connection useally always get it in return! I don't care if East or West has hostility, we are all PROFESSIONALS, and go to work with that in mind! Leave it alone.

 

[luvthe9]

CLOSE THIS THREAD DOWN, IT'S OUT OF CONTROL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[delldude]

CLOSE THIS THREAD DOWN, IT'S OUT OF CONTROL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

:unsure:

 

[WCT]

:unsure:

That picture is uncalled for, and completely disrespecful!!! Moderators, Please delete that picture! <_<

Back to topic, I think the pilots that carry guns are trained to carry, and for the time being should continue to carry as long as TSA allows.

 

[N965VJ]

That picture is uncalled for, and completely disrespecful!!! Moderators, Please delete that picture!

I think it was just a funny picture to demonstrate the thread “spiraling out of controlâ€￾.

Back OT:

Federal Policy May Endanger Armed Pilots

Wednesday April 2, 8:19 am ET
By Eileen Sullivan, Associated Press Writer

Government Policy Makes Gun Discharges by Armed Pilots More Likely, Pilots Group Says

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Armed airline pilots may be at risk of discharging their weapons on planes because of cumbersome rules imposed by Congress and the Transportation Security Administration, a group representing the pilots said Tuesday.

A 2002 law prohibits pilots from carrying their guns outside the cockpit without a trigger lock, and as a result they must frequently affix or remove trigger locks during flights.

That law and the TSA policy that goes with it may be responsible for a March 22 incident in which a pilot accidentally discharged his weapon on U.S. Airways Flight 1536 from Denver to Charlotte, N.C., said Mike Karn, security chairman of the Allied Pilots Association, the union that represents American Airlines pilots. The gun went off as the Airbus 319 was 8,000 feet in the air and 10 minutes from landing.

Link to rest of article

 

[ableoneable]

I wonder when we are going to get the results of the "investigation."

You know, the investigation about TSA procedures conducted by the TSA. I wonder what conclusions they will reach.

I understand that they have sent out a memo to FFDOs to "make sure" the lock is forward of the trigger. They have not gone into detail about how to accomplish this.

 

[Dorf]

I understand that they have sent out a memo to FFDOs to "make sure" the lock is forward of the trigger. They have not gone into detail about how to accomplish this.

Don't you mean "behind" the trigger so the lock doesn't cause another discharge?

 

[LD3]

Without reading all 29 pages, why would the Capt stow his weapon while on approach? Would'nt it be safer to do it while on the ground parked at the gate?

 

[Dorf]

Without reading all 29 pages, why would the Capt stow his weapon while on approach? Would'nt it be safer to do it while on the ground parked at the gate?

YEP! I guess that is the other million $$ question, Why was he doing it below 10,000 ft. during "sterile cockpit"?

 

[jetmech01890]

may be flash backs of his airforce days

 

[ClueByFour]

I understand that they have sent out a memo to FFDOs to "make sure" the lock is forward of the trigger. They have not gone into detail about how to accomplish this.

Presumably by ensuring that the weapon is firmly seated in the holster. Maybe even with a visual inspection. Probably best performed while not in a sterile cockpit environment under 10k.

I love the "it must be the procedure" gambit.

That, and I love the cajones of the pilot's safety association or whatever it is--the logic here is that a pilot triggered a negligent discharge under 10k, so pilots should then not have to lock the weapon and be allowed to have _Broader_ carry abilities to avoid having it happen again. The logic is amazing.

I have a suggestion: don't have negligent discharges.