Quote Originally Posted by mcantar18c View Post
I think you're looking at this the wrong way. Flying on a commercial airline has its risks, just like any other form of public transportation. Rather than trying to make flying a completely safe and sterile thing, we need to look at how we can mitigate the risks. Allowing citizens to be armed while flying, and at the very least having an armed and trained crew, would do that.
Would it stop a bomb? Absolutely not. But the presence of an armed authority (crew) and knowing that the person sitting next to you could be armed makes one think twice about doing something stupid. People generally don't commit crimes right in front of cops, right?
I am not looking at it at all. I am asking for opinions and as I mentioned, I don't disagree with armed passengers and crew. The logistics and training are somewhat problematic, but not insurmountable.

If all you are trying to do is stop someone from taking hostages or control of an aircraft, you are correct in asserting the need for authority with force on board the aircraft with a little bit of the unknown regarding who else may also be able to stop an attack.

The bigger issue being addressed today in aviation security is not the armed attacker(s), but anyone whose aim is to cripple western economies by destroying the freedom to travel or transport goods. You don't have to have access to classified briefings to know that bringing a commercial airliner down is pretty high on the target list.

How would anyone here stop that from happening? Who would you trust to be responsible for that mission? In fairness, I don't have an answer. If I did, and I was in a position to implement that answer, I would probably be much better paid

Anyone with an opinion can destroy or criticize. Industrious people build and create. I believe that as Americans we have a history of being industrious people. I fear the trend in our country to destroy everything we dislike and criticize without constructive recommendations to improve.

"To build may have to be the slow and laborious task of years. To destroy can be the thoughtless act of a single day."
Winston Churchill

All comments may be welcome, but not all comments are helpful