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The SOP procedure should be that they stay in the cockpit and the cockpit is completely sealed during the flight.

Yes, piloting flights will be really fun with no restroom or food in the cockpit.

In the interim I can see a need for them to carry firearms, but they both need to be trained how to use them effectively...

From what I understand, about 75% of airline pilots are ex-military. Thus, they are already trained in how to use weapons effectively.

Keep the sky marshals, give them a few MP-5s and you're golden IMO.

Any argument against weapons in planes can be used against sky marshals just as easily. Any argument for sky marshals can be applied to anyone with a CHL carrying on a plane as well. There is no need to limit guns in planes to sky marshals except politics.

"Any argument against weapons in planes can be used against sky marshals just as easily."

I agree, and more so. A hijacking occurs at the cockpit. Pilots defending the cockpit would be shooting back, away from the sensitive cockpit, but into the passenger compartment (sorry folks).

Conversely, air marshals would be firing forward at the cockpit and INTO the instruments and possibly the pilots.

I greatly prefer that pilots be armed as a matter of course.

Personally I would prefer to let the corporations decide whether they feel that it would enhance security to allow those with CHL to carry guns onboard with them. It is one thing to leave it in the baggage, it is another to have it ready for use. I am not in favor of gun regulation, but I can see how terrorists could forge a CHL and get easy weapons onboard. That would renew assaults on CHLs. The gun control nazis would say look, "CHLs let terrorists carry weapons on planes!!!!!" It would be a disaster for private gun owner rights. Let the corporations decide whether non-government personnel can carry weapons onboard. That puts the onus of security squarely in the hands of the corporation and government and any failure cannot be shifted to CHL because the corporation allowed CHL owners to carry weapons onboard. A blanket law requiring CHL owners to be allowed to carry guns onboard would make it too easy to put the blame on CHLs.

Another thing. Put a friggin bathroom in the cockpit if there isn't one handy. That way the pilots can have their munchies in the cockpit with them and not have to leave during the flight. It's the perfect way to make the cockpit self-contained.