FloridaPilot
Pattern Altitude
I just read somewhere that Commercial pilots can carry handguns on the airplane but they are not allowed to carry them on an international flight? Is that true? or just Satire?
I didn't know Commercial Pilots can carry a gun
- Thread starter FloridaPilot
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Art VanDelay
Pattern Altitude
It sounds like you may be talking about the Federal Flight Deck Officer program. If you are and you're just now hearing about this I think you may have been living under a rock somewhere. It's been around for quite awhile now.
FloridaPilot
Pattern Altitude
Since 9/11?
Skywalker
Cleared for Takeoff
I read today, that a Unites Airlines pilot disposed his ammunition in the toilet on a transatlantic flight to Munich. 
First he disposed the ammunition in the garbage bin where a stewardess found it and brought it to the pilot's attention. When she asked what he did with the ammunition, he admitted that they (9 bullets) are swimming in the toilet. Arriving in Munich, they were guided to a special area and specialists took over to ensure that the ammunition is handled correctly...
The return flight was 4 hours delayed and the pilot has not been fired. It seems that 9/11 is the reason for pilots to carry a gun and in the US. That particular pilot just forgot that he is flying to Germany that morning...
In case you are wondering why the stewardess was going through the garbage: she was looking for a ring that a passenger had lost...
First he disposed the ammunition in the garbage bin where a stewardess found it and brought it to the pilot's attention. When she asked what he did with the ammunition, he admitted that they (9 bullets) are swimming in the toilet. Arriving in Munich, they were guided to a special area and specialists took over to ensure that the ammunition is handled correctly...The return flight was 4 hours delayed and the pilot has not been fired. It seems that 9/11 is the reason for pilots to carry a gun and in the US. That particular pilot just forgot that he is flying to Germany that morning...
In case you are wondering why the stewardess was going through the garbage: she was looking for a ring that a passenger had lost...
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Skywalker
Cleared for Takeoff
In the article I read, they didn't say anything about the origin of the flight. It was a German newspaper and more important for them is, that US carrier allow their pilot to have guns in the first place...
I read today, that a Unites Airlines pilot disposed his ammunition in the toilet on a transatlantic flight to Munich.
The return flight was 4 hours delayed and the pilot has not been fired. It seems that 9/11 is the reason for pilots to carry a gun and in the US. That particular pilot just forgot that he is flying to Germany that morning...
In case you are wondering why the stewardess was going through the garbage: she was looking for a ring that a passenger had lost...
As FFDOs are deputized by DOT to provide this service, there would probably have been a way to work things out with the airport police upon arrival.
Catalo
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Catalo
It's authorized through tsa and is legal in all 50 states as long as it's not an international flight. Also Illinois has cconcealed carry now.
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SbestCFII
Line Up and Wait
Ditto!
EdFred
Taxi to Parking
Yeah, but they recognize hardly anyone else's concealed carry, and the cost for a non-res Illinois permit is ridiculously high.
EDIT: I lied. Illinois won't recognize ANY other state's permits.
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I'm a private pilot and I carry a gun (just not on the airliners or other sterile areas).
What you think $600 and a two day course in state is an unreasonable obstacle to exercising your constitutional rights?
NoHeat
Final Approach
I bet Channel 9 was an interesting listen, for the passengers of that flight. That's the COM radio, which many captains enable passengers to hear as an audio channel.
Fearless Tower
Touchdown! Greaser!
I was listening to channel 9 on a United flight to London a few years back and it was tied into the pilot/cabin crew intercom. I got to listen to an interesting conversation about whether or not they should report a dead rodent that was found onboard.
The "ATC on 9" feed is determined by where the cockpit observer's seat audio selector is set. So yes, sometimes it's COM1 and sometimes it's something else.
FloridaPilot
Pattern Altitude
JOhnH
Touchdown! Greaser!
The right to carry is not predicated on need.
But to answer your question, I have flown to many places where I felt I "needed" a gun after departing the airport.
I don't need to enumerate reasons (though I indeed have them). I do make sure that I have the appropriate permits for the endpoints of the flight.
KSCessnaDriver
Pattern Altitude
Considering FFDO are federal law enforcement officers, the permits Illinois recognizes isn't relevant in the least bit.
RotorAndWing
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Rotor&Wing
FFDO's are not LEO's. They do not have authority outside of the cockpit, and they do not have authority to arrest anyone.
They are simply permitted by the DOT to carry a weapon in the cockpit, period. This is why outside of the cockpit their weapon must be carried in a locked container, they are not permitted to conceal carry or open carry outside of the cockpit while on duty.
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EdFred
Taxi to Parking
Considering what I had to do for mine - yes.
EdFred
Taxi to Parking
mkosmo
Pattern Altitude
The same reasons I carry a gun when I'm not acting as a pilot, too.
FloridaPilot
Pattern Altitude
Okay,
I will ask this question, when have you ever NEEDED to use the gun as a private pilot?
I'm just thinking would I ever need one in the plane? Would I ever get hijacked? Probably not! Would I need it if I crash landed in the wilderness? Possibly but least likely. Other places outside of flying yes.
I will ask this question, when have you ever NEEDED to use the gun as a private pilot?
I'm just thinking would I ever need one in the plane? Would I ever get hijacked? Probably not! Would I need it if I crash landed in the wilderness? Possibly but least likely. Other places outside of flying yes.
EdFred
Taxi to Parking
I fly to go places. So I have it for when I'm going places. I put it in my flight bag when flying because it gets in the way of the seatbelt latch.
I will never need it as part of flying the plane.
I will never need it as part of flying the plane.
mkosmo
Pattern Altitude
No. And I don't want to.
Emergency use? Good idea. Not one I actually routinely think about, and a Ruger LCP may not be suited for that role. Hijacking? Not actually what I'm worried about, either. It's what's on the ground before and after flying. There are some dangerous bipedal creatures out there that will cause you serious harm with no provocation.
mkosmo
Pattern Altitude
Good point for me come Jan 1 when we're allowed to open carry... Hadn't thought too much about it interfering with the seatbelt.
KSCessnaDriver
Pattern Altitude
Fair enough, but my point to EdFred still stands, they can certainly have their firearm in Illinois
Personally, I'd rather deal with Illinois stupid rules versus Michigan's "register your pistols with the police" law.
They recognize my driver's license and my car's license plate. Why is it so difficult for them to recognize the training I had to take to get my CCW permit? The right of self defense does not end at my state's borders. (Well, it does if I'm going to Canada.)
James331
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James331
I've carried a 12G, rifles, pistols, etc plenty of times, but that's just for use after landing.
Our company says only people the company has "authorized" can carry, aside from Law Enforcement, and their ability to carry is at PIC discretion, minus the blanket ban on "defensive spray" like OC gas, which I also don't let anyone carry for my personal pt91 flying, ie my girls keychain mace.
Personally, if I don't know the officer, I'll give him the option of keeping his side arm in the cockpit or leaving it behind, too much sensitive stuff in the plane for a pistols use to be warranted IMO
Our company says only people the company has "authorized" can carry, aside from Law Enforcement, and their ability to carry is at PIC discretion, minus the blanket ban on "defensive spray" like OC gas, which I also don't let anyone carry for my personal pt91 flying, ie my girls keychain mace.
Personally, if I don't know the officer, I'll give him the option of keeping his side arm in the cockpit or leaving it behind, too much sensitive stuff in the plane for a pistols use to be warranted IMO
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Pilawt
Gucci Pilot
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Gucci Pilot
9/11 was the reason the program exists. Have some friends at FedEx that do it. Only reason they signed up was to expedite employee security screening(before they streamlined the employee screening in 2010).
I can't figure out how they get that past Article IV, Section 1:
Full Faith and Credit shall be given in each State to the public Acts, Records, and judicial Proceedings of every other State. And the Congress may by general Laws prescribe the Manner in which such Acts, Records and Proceedings shall be proved, and the Effect thereof.
Checkout_my_Six
Touchdown! Greaser!
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EdFred
Taxi to Parking
You mean like having to jump through hoops just to buy ammo in illinois?
I carry a ruger guide rifle in the back of the plane, or atleast I would, if I hadn't lost it in a terrible boating accident.
Even before then, there were many 121 pilots who had "boot guns".