Posted on 06/26/2012 6:02:29 PM PDT by jazusamo
Removing ‘last line of defense’ would be risky move
The Obama administration’s hatred for the Second Amendment has reached new heights. After nearly a decade of safe operation, the White House is looking to reduce the number of pilots who provide an extra layer of security against airborne terror by packing a pistol in the cockpit. This plan shouldn’t fly.
The federal flight-deck officer program was put in place as a direct response to the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, when terrorists barged into the cockpits and seized control of airliners. The initiative provides $25.5 million for weapons training for pilots, including for cargo carriers and private charters. President Obama’s budget would slash the amount in half.
Uncle Sam spends about $4,800 per pilot for the training administered by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), but aside from that, it doesn’t suffer from the usual bureaucratic bloat. Participants must pay their own travel, lodging and meal expenses. About 10,000 pilots have been certified, but the Obama administration’s goal is to see the number of armed aviators dwindle.
Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano defended her department’s 2013 proposed budget before the House Committee on Homeland Security in February. “The cuts are predicated on the fact that the program is not risk-based,” she claimed. That’s government-speak for wanting more money to grope people who aren’t terrorists instead of doing something that would stop actual terrorists.
(Excerpt) Read more at washingtontimes.com ...
Arm the passengers. I would fly again after a 20-year hiatus if that happened.
This is classic. Instead of just allowing the pilots to have a gun, they create a giant boondoggle. Then, we can’t afford it.
Just let the pilots drink while flying. Then, it will be unsafe to have guns and we can save the $4,800!
Palin would be a definite improvement over this man but Michael Savage would have a cow.
Obama is The Green Lantern. He is a Super Fag Super Hero.
I guess like anything that's classified it's better left unsaid. My son has a top secret clearance and we don't discuss things that are classified. :)
I don't want a situation coming up where the President feels more comfortable than i do.
Right. The feds get involved so the pilots have to have GOVERNMENT training and we all know how much GOVERNMENT costs. Probably have staff positions created to oversee the training and then staff to oversee the staff overseeing the training and then additional staff to count and allocate bullets, etc
Bump
With all the SS agents aboard I wouldn’t think it would be necessary.
“knowing that the flight crew is armed for bear.”
Or Moose;)
I don't have one of those and don't intend to get one. Free men don't ask for permission.
Showing my age and tenure here. Did a moose once bite your sister?
You know the moose was really after cheese and a shower. Seriesly.
Ha! Remember the ‘All in the Family’ gun control episode where Archie was on a TV news show and said “Arm all your passengers”?! The clip was on youtube a while back.
Oh, my. You too.
Yep. We're old.
Old? Hah! I’m old enough to have forgotten it!
Time flies, doesn't it?
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