Airline Safety

Introduction

Since the 9 /11 attacks , the public confidence with regard to air travel has greatly been shaken (Taylor 2002 . The attacks had the effect of sending a message that now , even airplanes could be used as missiles to target buildings regardless of whether there were people on board the aircraft of not . Every plane crash that is reported on the news is suspected to have been caused by a terrorist attack rather than just an equipment malfunction or a pilot error

In response to these attacks , security has been considerably increased

br in airports all over the world . Every passenger is now subject to a full body search and every hand carried and checked in item is thoroughly inspected for any suspicious objects that can either cause an explosion or aid a hijacker in gaining control over the aircraft (Campbell 2001 . The impact has not been limited to airport security as even airplane manufacturers and airlines have resorted to installing devices and taking precautions with regard to what to do in case an airplane is hijacked . One of the safety measures that have been suggested and is highly debated is the issuing of arms for the pilots so that they may be able to defend themselves against any terrorist hijackers that are able to force themselves into the cockpits (Lott 2003

This short discourse shall examine this new proposed safety measure in light of the other alternatives for anti-terrorism measures that may also be implemented to ensure the safety of the aircraft and the passengers on board

Controversies with regard to Armed Pilots

The current controversy with regard to airline security concerns the proposal to equip the pilots of airplanes with weapons in to protect themselves from any hijackers that manage to enter the cockpit (Taylor 2002 . This proposal is of course faced with a lot of opposition because of the implications of allowing pilots to be armed in aircrafts . There is a lot of concern with regard to the security of the other passengers on board just in case the armed pilots do decide to turn on the other co-pilots and hijack the aircraft themselves or hold passengers as hostages for whatever purpose

The proponents for arming the pilots argue that it is the best option because the pilots need to defend themselves against the terrorist hijackers (Parker 2002 . The problem with this is that it negates the training of the pilots which is that in times such as hijackings they are not supposed to deal with the terrorists but instead secure the cockpit and land the plane as soon as possible (Will 2002 . The concern here is that the plane should be landed right away in to protect not only the passengers but also the people on the ground who may become targets or victims as the 9 /11 experience has shown . The duty of the pilot is not concern himself with whatever goes on in the cabin but instead make sure that the plane is...