Originally Posted by
elfouquer
I'm surprised that no one has used the example of FedEx 705 yet on this thread. For those of you not familiar, you can read about it here:
FedEx Flight 705 - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Sure this was before the days of the TSA, and it was also at a place where the TSA does not screen (FedEx), but it could happen today because that guy would have been in CASS, giving him access to the cockpit anytime he wanted the jumpseat.
On a side note, one option to sidestep the harassment of the TSA would be to become an FFDO.
I didn't mention this because it was an aberation, and would be almost impossible to screen for.
The guy was not clinically insane, so his ame would not likely have caught it.
He did not bring a gun, but recreational gear/tools which was legal, but had weapons potential (just like boxcutters).
Remember, his apparent intent was to crash the airplane, making it look like an accident...a gun would have probably left evidence. His motivation seemed to be an honorable death with no one the wiser. He was trying to avoid living in disgrace after getting fired for lying on his resume (he was actually an ex-navy pilot).
You can't forsee ALL possible circumstances.