FAA to require secondary cockpit barrier on commercial airplanes | Hacker News Reader

FAA to require secondary cockpit barrier on commercial airplanes

cbc.ca

10 pointsgeox15 comments

Examples of implementation (it's like a net to close off the front plane door area) https://www.alpa.org/advocacy/flight-deck-barriers

I've actually seen some airlines position a beverage cart across the entrance of the aisle on the first row to block everyone, while pilots are opening the cockpit door to use the lavatory in flight. There also was a flight attendant behind the cart to tell anyone to back off/turn around.

I see what you mentioned more and more lately. Almost always on narrow body airliners

I've seen them on a recent flight on a Delta A339. When the flight attendants send meals to the pilots it comically looked like a prison for them.

Maybe then we can cut 90% of TSA, along with their fees?

TSA continued existence is because it lowers insurance costs for airlines and others, by making it possible to point fault at TSA instead of airline.

All commercial pilots I know are armed. Not sure how necessary this second barrier is, but likely a small cost when factored into overall ticket prices.

Commercial pilots can be armed? Like with firearms? I’ve never heard of that or imagined that before.

Crew Certificate permits one to be armed on board, usually paired with normal gun permit according to registration county rules.

For pilots in USA, virtually none who fly long haul are armed due to restrictions in other countries. Same for going to Canada.

I doubt it. The TSA doesn't release numbers but it appears that fewer than a quarter of commercial pilots are armed

https://simpleflying.com/federal-flight-deck-officer-program...

Approximately 1/3 of US commercial pilots have had military service. Expect they’re all armed. The pilots I know aren’t ex-military, and yet are still armed.

9600 guns were purchased for the program (over three years) There are 110k commercial pilots. So, roughly 10% for the lower bound. Assuming a career of 30 years as an airline pilot, that’s 3666 new pilots per year, suggesting that every new pilot could be armed. I expect it’s much closer to 10%.

We used to be able to trust people to behave themselves. I wonder what changed people's behavior.

it’s been over a decade since 9/11 and the us government is still screaming about terror.

flying in oceania and europe is just a more pleasant and human experience. thank god for precheck

On the flip side, Europe does have more tedious liquid regulations (all small bottles fitting within a clear 1L bag with hat must be outside your luggage). Security lines at massive airports (CDG, LHR) are still pretty long and not that much different from non-precheck US security. At least if you’re connecting through many EU airports, you don’t have to go through security again! (Unlike you, LHR…) I’ve also only ever been swabbed at European airports.

Reply on news.ycombinator.com