Please CALL/FAX/WRITE your Congressman/Senator about HR 2896. Assist PILOTs to CARRY a FIREARM on a COMMERCIAL AIRPLANE
My brother is a PILOT. Some ideas from an Email I got from him being sent out by his associates:
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In summation, this is what is necessary immediately:
1) Strengthen cockpit bulkhead and door.
2) No flight deck access by cabin crew without Captains prior approval.
3) Video cameras showing cabin area - viewable from cockpit.
4) Air Marshals onboard, ideally in cockpit.
5) Authorize cockpit crew to carry firearms, as last order of defense.
6) Issue new I.D. cards with forgery/tamper resistant characteristics.
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Please ask your neighbors and non-aviation friends to call, fax and write their Washington Representatives and ask their support of HR 2896 that will assist pilots in being allowed to carry a firearm (subject to Captain's approval and proper training) while serving as a cockpit crewmember. Please note I did not say EMAIL! The fax/letter/call is the preferred, effective way to communicate our concerns to them.
Our Congressmen/Senators are listening to us, however they REALLY listen to the desires of our passengers and customers. That is why it is imperative for you ask people outside the pilot fraternity to express their views.
It is estimated that one favorable non-pilot letter on this subject is worth one hundred pilot letters.
It is important that we convey to the public that we ALWAYS have specific cockpit duties in all situations, and specially in emergency situations. The public has the impression of the Captain driving the airplane while shooting over his/her shoulder at the bad guys. We need to draw a word picture for them. Explain to them that we will have one pilot, whose duty is solely to fly the airplane, and the other armed pilot will deal with the intruder/s.
Remember the brief "You fly, I fix"? Now, it's "You fly, I fight!".
Also, many civilians are concerned about the pilot emerging from the cockpit with a Colt 45 in hand to tell a passenger "turn off that cell phone!". That, simply, will not happen. The days of the cockpit crew being physically involved in cabin incidents are over. If the cabin crew cannot handle the situation, we land. No negotiations!
Please pass the word.
I would urge you all to call your congressmen quickly. We seem to be gaining momentum on these issues and timing is very important in politics.
Stay vigilant. |
