Las Vegas Sun

November 24, 2009

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Letter: Arm pilots for a safer ride

Tuesday, Oct. 2, 2001 | 8:38 a.m.

Much discussion has been going on lately regarding arming pilots. A lot of people feel they don't need to be armed and that a sole air marshal would be better.

Look at it this way: Bad guys get on the plane, they only have one man to overtake: the air marshal! Once they secure him, then they are able to overtake the plane. However, if the pilots are armed as well, and the cabin doors are locked, then anyone coming through those doors should be dealt with as a threat.

If society thinks the pilots need not be armed, then maybe we should disarm the security personnel at our local casinos as well. We can just put up a sign telling bad guys to go away and don't bother the employees or customers. Yeah, like that will work.

I think it's time to step up the security, arm the pilots and institute armed air marshals. Of course, once you are in the air, if measures on the ground have been enforced strictly then the air marshals, pilots and passengers should have a safe, enjoyable and uneventful flight.

Sept. 11 has changed the way air travel will be in this country. Let's make it for the better!

JOHN T. WYLIE JR.

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