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www.ffdoa.org

Thanks to all the guys and gals that participate!

Lee

Sadly, the training they had been provided said, "Terrorists are reasonable so give them what they want and everybody goes home with a wild story to tell their co-workers and grand children". Many very intelligent people knew that wasn't the case and credible intelligence laid all the pieces on the table. Unfortunately (and it pains me terribly to say this) our arrogant notion that those savages would stay in their own playground and would NEVER threaten us at OUR house was proven horribly incorrect.

The FFDO program has many flaws, but it's infinitely better than nothing. I'm hard pressed to imagine a reason NOT to participate in it. As was printed in another post, "Bring a gun to a knife fight". Having a weapon and wishing you didn't have to deal with procedural crap is tolerable. Not having one when someone is pushing past the 90 lb FA and trying to gain access to the cockpit during a bathroom break is not.

[moderator edit: delete security issues]

Hats off to the guys who give up some of their valuable personal time to make this industry a little safer. Your volunteerism means something and you should take take a little pride in that, but not too much because that would make you irritating to be around .

Happy Patriot Day!

I haven't flown a United airplane in 8 years, and I wasn't an FFDO, but wanted to be. After 9/11, I started keeping the crash-axe at my side in my open flight bag. I was inspired by the 777 crew flying from South America when a guy partially broke through the door, and they blunt-sided him with the axe.

Every now and then a Capt would see the empty holder and say "Wha...? Where's the axe?"

Me: "Right here. If someone comes through that door uninvited, the last thing they will see is the blade of this axe in their skull."

You're so right, Flyin, it was a completely different mindset then, Be safe out there.
Cheers,
fbh

I enjoyed my trip to Artesia and would do it again on my own dime. I'd also like to thank the FAM teams that take care of the skies.

Has an FFDO ever had to actually prevent an attack? The only time I remember them making news is when a US Air guy shot a hole through his cockpit!

The fact that no airliner has been taken since 2001 means that the FFDO program has indeed prevented more attacks.

Or are you implying that a fire extinguisher that has never been discharged is worthless equipment to have on an aircraft?

no, not at all. good point.

That's the whole point. If a bad guy thinks you might have a means of deterrence, he's most likely pick an easier target--like a train or a bus. We never made the news because we were effective.