What pilots should announce on your flight

[baldeagle]

http://freedomoutpost.com/2013/02/what- ... he-flight/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Great short audio clip.

[RX8er]

that is great!!

[jb03]

My only hope is they don't have to use any of those. Not sure if possible, so open to expert opinions here. My fear would be piercing the airplane skin and a cabin decompression if a round were to go through and through or in the case of a miss.

[RX8er]

My only hope is they don't have to use any of those. Not sure if possible, so open to expert opinions here. My fear would be piercing the airplane skin and a cabin decompression if a round were to go through and through or in the case of a miss.

Nope, ain't going to happen. There are thousands of air leaks in the fuselage of an aircraft. I have seen aircraft with missing rivits and the only effect is ice formation around the holes. I know some of you will throw in the Aloha Airlines.... This was a structural failure casued by pressurization, not a small hole.

I'd be more worried about hitting vital systems and making the job in the pointy end even more difficult.

I've heard, but never seen it, Myth Busters did an episode on this.

Oh, and think about all those military aircraft that end up with holes in them and don't blow up.

[K.Mooneyham]

My only hope is they don't have to use any of those. Not sure if possible, so open to expert opinions here. My fear would be piercing the airplane skin and a cabin decompression if a round were to go through and through or in the case of a miss.

As a certified aircraft mechanic, I can fairly well assure you that rapid decompress is NOT going to happen with a small hole poked through the skin, at least not in modern, well-built aircraft. And, there is so much air being pumped out by the aircraft air conditioning/heating systems, that a little loss like that will not make much of a difference. It would be bad if some critical equipment were hit, but most systems have backups. I guess about the worst thing would be striking a hydraulic line or an important bundle of wires, perhaps. But, you'd have to be pretty unlucky for that to occur. At worst, it would force a divert landing to some airport en-route to wherever the plane was traveling. Not saying it wouldn't be a bad thing, but unlikely to cause a catastrophe.

EDITED TO ADD: RX8ER beat me to the punch!

[Topbuilder]

Pretty sure they are only allowed to carry H&K .40 .
Pretty extensive training compared to CHL.
They are packing hollow points. Not concerned about holes in plane. Great care to not hit passengers.

[TexasGal]

I saw an interesting news item once that delved into the training of the Air Marshals. It showed the simulated training they use and how much they practice drawing from concealment while seated and otherwise. I am satisfied they will hit what they aim at. Pilots too. I would rather take my chances with flying lead than whatever a terrorist had in mind for the entire plane. It irks me that the TSA takes the credit for keeping the flying public "safe". It is the knowledge our planes now carry Air Marshals undercover and trained armed pilots that deters would be terrorists as well as the fact the common air traveler is now far more willing to jump into the fray.

[RX8er]

EDITED TO ADD: RX8ER beat me to the punch!

Sounds like we have a lot in common; A&P / IA here.

[RX8er]

I saw an interesting news item once that delved into the training of the Air Marshals. It showed the simulated training they use and how much they practice drawing from concealment while seated and otherwise. I am satisfied they will hit what they aim at. Pilots too. I would rather take my chances with flying lead than whatever a terrorist had in mind for the entire plane. It irks me that the TSA takes the credit for keeping the flying public "safe". It is the knowledge our planes now carry Air Marshals undercover and trained armed pilots that deters would be terrorists as well as the fact the common air traveler is now far more willing to jump into the fray.

I have a good friend that is a FAMS (federal air marshal service) agent. He likes his job and he usually trains 1-2 times per week. I also know a couple guys that are ASO so private companies can fly in to DCA. I can't say more.