Streetwise Streetwise (October 05, 2001)

Should commercial airline pilots be armed? Asked at Livermore Airport Appreciation Day

Charles Fiedler
Owner/pilot, Cessna 185
I'd arm them for sure. I'm a product of the military and the combat zones. As a pilot, we had weapons. I don't see any difference in today's situation. There also should be no entrance to the cockpit but by the crew.

Bill Fixmer
Owner/pilot, Cherokee 140 trainer
No, I don't think they should be armed. I don't like to see guns in airplanes and I think we would be overreacting by putting guns there. I can live with air marshals, but I think the pilot's job is to fly the airplane.

Steve Radcliffe
Owner/pilot, Cessna 182
If we arm the pilots, it should be with nonlethal weapons such as beanbag guns and tasers. I don't think a firearm is appropriate in an airplane. They also need to reinforce the bulkheads. When I fly commercially, I see the cockpit door when the plane's on the ground. Anybody could walk in.

Kevin Ryan, pilot
Flies Cessnas with flying club
Pilots should be armed to the point where they could incapacitate somebody, like with a stun gun or some other similar type of weapon. Obviously, something like a .38 or .45 caliber revolver wouldn't be the way to go.

John Davelaar
Owner/pilot, Piper Tomahawk trainer
Commercial airline pilots should be armed. They should definitely have guns in the cockpit and the cockpit should be isolated from the cabin in such a way that no one else can get in there. There shouldn't be any question about it.