The Chip Board
Custom Search
   


The Chip Board Archive 05

Re: And just exactly how...
In Response To: Re: And just exactly how... ()

You do make some good points but I have to dissagree with you on a few points. I do not see any problem with tightening down on security in certain areas like not allowing knitting needles, Nail Files, Pocket Knives etc. Some of these items should be reconsidered and disallowed. I agree though that we can not fully eliminate all threats but that shouldn't mean that we shouldn't eliminate the obvious. We need to do what we can.

As for the cockpit door, I haven't heard the suggestion that it be eliminated. I take that back. Someone did suggest a separate enterance to the cockpit separate and non excessable from the cabin. I heard it once but it was immediately put down for the very reasons you suggest. What I have heard more seriously debated is a bulkhead reinforced with Kevlar and with a reinforced steel door. Weight and durability need to be a concern. It was also suggested on Oprah, by a commercial pilot, that the crew should be armed. Not so that they could go out in the cabin like Rambo, he said but so that they can be in the cockpit prepared to defend the controls of that plane. I think he mentioned that it may come down to there will be nothing that will bring the crew out. He also suggested cameras outside the cockpit to allow the crew to see what is happening on the other side of the door.

Then there is the issue of armed Marshalls on the flight. I guess there is debate over whether they should be obvious or under cover. I would personaly say under cover. That way a potential terrorist or other sick person will not be able to target them. You do not know if the guy next to you is armed or the guy 2 rows up on the eisle. Maybe it is someone in first class. Perhaps the government should establish a specially trained force of these people who are trained to restrain attackers or enraged passangers as well as defend the plane and provide assistance that otherwise would have been performed by the crew. As for the assistence of a crew in distress maybe the Marshalls can have keys or other abilities to access the cockpit in an emergency. Keeping these people under cover will still make it more difficult if not impossible for a terrorist to know who has the key to gain access to the flight deck. All these things, I feel are reasonable improvements.

As I understand weapons were developed in the 70s that would allow Sky Marshalls or crew to use deadly force but the projectiles would not have the power or ability to penetrate the plane and cause catastrophic damage to windows etc. A Kevlar reinforced partition and door create a situation that might not deter a terrorist that is willing to die but it could force them to use such force to gain entry that would eliminate most of their objectives. One person pointed out that if the terrorist had to use so much force to open the cockpit that he would blow the front off the plane, He A.) would not be able to use a hijacking as a hostage situation and B.) would not be able to use the plane as a guided missile. There is still the possibility that he could still blow up a plane and kill all the passengers. It may sound callas(sp?) but the reality of history is this. When a terrorist blows up a plane with about 200 passangers it makes us angry and we will rattle a sabre or two. We may even innitiate a military strike. However we will not go to war over it. We will want that persons leaders etc. to be brought to justice. Most serious terrorist threats are now recognizing that these types of attacks do not get them the satisfaction that they desire. We need to do what we can to eliminate their motivation or ability to conduct attacks like the one of last week That would be Almost impossible with a reinforced cockpit.

As for the indescriminate killing of innocent passengers your point is well taken in that What can you do to deter someone who has already made the decision and resigned himself to dying for a cause. Other than eliminating him first.

There is one thing that I don't see as relevent to these situations and that concerns me regarding the privacy of the passengers. That is what we are going to have to go through at baggage check and check in. Now they are going to ask us 5(?) questions instead of 2. It used to be, Has anyone handed you anything to take on board? and Did you pack your own bags and have they left your possession? Now they are talking about asking SS numbers or Last Address, How long have you lived at your current address, What kind of car do you own, etc.? Unless they are going to be running everyone's names through a govt. computer to varify that info what makes them think that someone intent on dying for a cause is going to give them accurate info. I also ask if they can get info like what kind of car do you own to verify your answer to a question quick enough to clear you onto a plane, why can't the government do an instant background check for a gun purchase in a matter of minutes not days. As you said, these terrorists bought their tickets and boarded legally with weapons that were probably acceptable in carry on baggage. With the excepton of tightening the restrictions on carry on luggage what will any of these other security measures accomplish. Using assumed IDs and lying to the questions an informed and rehearsed terrorist will probably still be able to slip by. Then there is the issue of other potential weapons that would be totally undetectable like twine as you mentioned or as previously mentioned monofiliment fishing line.

Lastly, in a conversation with someone an interesting comment came up. What is going to happen now when someone tries to commandeer a plane or take a dump on a food cart etc. Passangers have now seen the extent to what can happen with unrest on board a plane. Will passengers revolt against terrorists or psyco passengers? How many unstable, suicidal, enraged passengers are going to get killed by passenges who gang up and attack?

Messages In This Thread

Point to Ponder...........NCR
Re: Point to Ponder...........NCR
Re: Point to Ponder...........NCR
Re: Point to Ponder...........NCR
Security is an attitude.....
Re: Security is an attitude.....
Re: Security is an attitude.....
Your nuts!
Re: Your nuts!
Re: Your nuts!
Re: Your nuts!
A question Pete...
Re: A question Pete...
Re: A question Pete...
Re: A question Pete...
Re: A question Pete...
Re: A question Pete...
What you're missing Pete...
Amen Bob!
Re: What you're missing Pete...
While we are profiling ...
Re: What you're missing Pete...
Re: What you're missing Pete...
Re: What you're missing Pete...
Re: What you're missing Pete...
What you're still missing Pete...
Re: What you're still missing Pete...
Re: What you're still missing Pete...
Re: What you're still missing Pete...
Mr. Sanders....
Re: Excellent Response Bob!!
Re: Excellent Response Bob!!
Re: I NEVER SAID THAT PETE!
Some Non-Arab Incidents (long post)
Re: Some Non-Arab Incidents (long post)
Re: Some Non-Arab Incidents (long post)
Profiling...
You're not nuts, Pete ...
Re: You're not nuts, Pete ...
Some people want the freedom to drink & drive too!
Re: Security is an attitude.....
Re: Security is an attitude.....
Sure guns are OK..... Knives? NO WAY! rofl
Re: Sure guns are OK..... Knives? NO WAY! rofl
Re: Sure guns are OK..... Knives? NO WAY! rofl
Re: Sure guns are OK..... Knives? NO WAY! rofl
Re: Sure guns are OK..... Knives? NO WAY! rofl
Re: Sure guns are OK..... Knives? NO WAY! rofl
Re: And just exactly how...
Re: And just exactly how...
DUI
Re: DUI
Re: DUI
Re: DUI
Use of the military to provide ...
Some Wrong Points to Ponder
Your are right I stand corrected..

Copyright 2022 David Spragg