I would say that it is even more important for a cargo pilot to be armed, for reasons that are obvious to any cargo pilot.

Seriously? You know what I believe? It is better to be thought of as a fool than to open your mouth and remove all doubt.

Yeah, you're right Zapata...a gun and a badge is the only reason that I sacrificed my time and money to jump through all the hoops that it took to become an FFDO. The chicks really dig the badge, and I get free dinner and drinks all across the country. It really doesn't have anything to do with increasing the level of security where I work...nah. Dang, there's no fooling you...I'm such a fraud!

I mean, you're right...it would be impossible for someone to stowaway onboard a cargo aircraft, and then attack the crew inflight. It could never happen.

Oh yeah...and a jumpseater would never turn into a psychopath (FedEx 705), and attack the crew with the intention of crashing the plane into corporate headquarters. It could never happen. Well, I guess it only happened just that one time...no biggie though.

I've got a great idea. Why don't we put you in charge of the TSA? You've already got it all figured out...which pilots have noble reasons for becoming a FFDO, and which ones are in it only for the badges, guns, free meals, and chicks (like myself). With your expertise at the helm of this fine organization, I'm sure you will transform it into a lean, mean iron clad wall of security for the traveling public, while ridding the ranks of all us cargo pilot slackers.

Many thanks for pointing this out to the masses here at APC

I want it because some of the guys in the right seat have guns. If they go berserk, I want to be able to shoot back!

So give me one (logical) reason why you would restrict the sale of used brass to non munitions use?

never mind

It's not restricted for .50 and under unless the brass is to be exported. The problem started when a middle level shoe clerk misinterpreted the DRMO regulation and notified buyers that they no longer would be able to buy brass that had not been crushed. He was wrong. Brass is back in the pipeline.

the conspiracy to get rid of guns sounds a whole lot cooler

Because it is utterly preposterous to think that Nancy wants to get rid of guns?

Are you that difficult to fly with?:D