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Comment by netfire | Hacker News Reader

Is the TSA really doing anything to prevent someone from taking control of a plane though?

Post-9/11, the cabin door is now shut and locked during most of the flight. I can't imagine a pilot or crew-member would open that door due to a terrorist threat, knowing what we do now (and that they would probably die anyway, if they opened the door)

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The door has also been substantially reinforced. It's probably safe to bet that anyone who tries to break through will not be successful for a variety of reasons. :)

Which again was a reason for why Germanwings pilot Andreas Lubitz could undisturbedly let the plane crash for committing suicide.

(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Germanwings_Flight_9525)

Ultimately, countermeasures risk becoming attack surfaces.

Indira Gandhi was murdered by two of her own bodyguards.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indira_Gandhi#Assassination

Aye. It is.

As I understand it, FAA regs require that there be two people in the cockpit at all times. So, the Germanwings tragedy would very likely not have happened in the US.

That would be true if at all times meant 100% all times. But I doubt that this rule exists and is assumed to exist to keep the pilot himself from causing harm. But rather to notice medical conditions as soon as possible. So from this psychological stance it is very likely that there will be moments of maybe no more than a minute of someone being alone in the cockpit - realistically.

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