by David Codrea
codrea4@adelphia.net

March 7, 2002

"We have been called to history. We must not stop. After all, we defend civilization itself. We didn't ask for this war, we're a peaceful nation. But we will do everything in our power to defend freedom and the universal values that are so important to our nation, and so important to a peaceful world. I made this message clear to our enemy, and the mighty United States military is delivering it."

—President George W. Bush 

KeepAndBearArms.com — Our president tells us we are a nation at war and that our enemy respects no borders. The entire globe is now a war zone. And America's pilots should take advantage of this indisputable fact in their quest for the means to defend their passengers, crew and craft.

My last report recommended that because the government refuses to allow pilots to arm themselves, they should refuse to fly. It's my belief that a mass walkout by the pilot's union would quickly resolve the situation, and that the pilots would enjoy widespread public support.

Agreeing with me is "John," a retired pilot, who added some caveats that I sadly must consider:

"What you propose I wholeheartedly support. You are correct that your proposal is the only way to get the nation's airline pilots armed, the only way to really protect the flying public. But, as a retired line pilot myself (from one of the trunk carriers) I can tell you that the airline pilots are a fair cross-section of the nation's population. As such, they are just as emasculated as are the 'Joe Six-Packs' that drive back and forth to their jobs everyday. They as a general rule do not have the nerve to do what you recommend and what should be done. They are just as much a bunch of wimps as the rest of society, and don't have the guts it takes to stand up against the federal government. I hate to say it, but they were such back when I was flying, and are even more so now.

"But your proposal is the only way they are going to get armed!"

John may understand his peers better than I. His message made me think and I wrote him back:

"Another tack — I used to work for a company that made satcom/satnav gear — and when our field engineers had to service equipment in certain world locations, depending on where it was, they would become eligible for hazardous duty pay — I assume such provisions also exist for pilots flying into such areas?

"With airport security a proven joke, with the events of 911 and since, with F-16s ready to blow planes out of the sky, etc. — is it feasible to suggest that this would be another bargaining chip, i.e., 'let us arm or pay us hazardous duty pay'...?

"Ditto the flight crews?

"Sometimes, all people understand is money. What do you think — is this is a lead to pursue?"

John responds:

"I don't think that any reasonable person would deny that flying these days is hazardous. If it were not, there would not be all the hullaballoo over 'airport security', the fact that it is a total joke and nothing more than 'PC' in action.

"In my opinion, knowing that pilots are just as money-driven as anyone else, the hazardous duty pay approach may work, since there is little political or personal risk to make the claim. And the companies might just realize that it would be a lot cheaper to arm them! It just might work.

"Hell, all the criminals are armed, why not the law-abiding slaves? And who in this society is more law-abiding than airline pilots? They are the most regulated, most checked, most physically and professionally monitored group that exists on the planet!

"As I recall, in our contract there was a provision for operations within, to and from a war zone; we became aware of it when we were flying troops and supplies into and out of VietNam. How can anyone deny that the U.S. is now a war zone since armed National Guard troops are now stationed at all U.S. airports? If it is not a war zone, why the troops and all the security? One could make an excellent claim for hazardous duty pay just for showing up for a trip!"

Pilots, if you're serious about being armed, these are options you need to explore. You know the reason the airlines oppose it is because they fear the liability should you misuse a firearm. Their bottom line obviously revolves around costs — and this may be a way to show them how to minimize those costs.

Check your contract and your employer's "hazardous pay" policy. Because every time you take a plane up, there is the undeniable possibility that it will be commandeered, or shot from the skies by an American warplane.

Wield this as a bargaining club — get your union to demand the right to be armed or you will press for a hazard premium. Ask the airlines how they think their customers will feel about flying, knowing you are doing this, and that you properly consider the skies to be a war zone? Let the airlines and the government know you are giving them a choice (something they refuse to give you): "Arm us or give us hazard pay." And let them know you will refuse to fly if your demands are not met.

According to the Airline Pilots Association, a recent poll showed that 73 percent of its pilots favor allowing firearms in the cockpit. Do you really? You may need to ask yourselves just how serious about your rights you really are, and just how seriously you take your responsibility for the lives and safety of those who entrust themselves to your command and to your care.

"As President Bush and Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld have said, this is a different kind of war against a different kind of enemy. The enemy is not a nation — the enemy is terrorist networks that threaten the way of life of all peaceful people." —White House report, "The Focus of Military Operations"

News Item: Transportation Secretary Mineta says "No" to arming pilots.

News Item: "Homeland Security" Chief Tom Ridge says "Arming pilots doesn't make a lot of sense."

News Item: Machine guns smuggled past airport security. FAA accused of "burying results."

News Item: Federal Air Marshals investigated for consorting with prostitutes and procuring children for sex. FAA accused of cover-up.

Compare those news items with this story about an armed hero in the cockpit.

Question for pilots: How much more of this nonsense are you going to put up with?

David Codrea is a co-founder and director for the national pro-rights media campaign, Citizens of America (CitizensOfAmerica.org), and an advisor and contributor for KeepAndBearArms.com. His professional writing is featured often in Guns and Ammo magazine. Additionally, he is the national coordinator for A Petition for the Enforcement of the Second Amendment (KeepAndBearArms.com/Petition). His archives can be accessed here: KeepAndBearArms.com/Codrea.

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