Cross your legs folks

[Hagar]

I agree there have to be some sort of security measures in the current climate but isn't this taking things just a little too far?
http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2004/01/06/1073268035697.html
It seems this plan will be extended to all countries. I fail to see how it could be enforced.

What with this & the new visa regulations just announced - I, for one, will be taking my holidays in Europe for the foreseeable future. I don't think I will be the only one.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/3378057.stm

[Craig.]

been listening to these on the radio all morning. its pathetic. This is in no way meant as an offensive comment to the US as i love the place, but the government and their security have completely crossed the line and have lost it. BA have already said they wont be enforcing the toilet rule. As for passports requiring fingerprints, this is what we get for supporting the US last year.
I am now seriously reconsidering going to college there, and no doubt visitor numbers to the US are going to drop big time.

[Smoke2much]

Well I won't be going  I have never been finger printed and I don't plan to start now.  If getting a British passport requires fingerprints in the future they can stuff that as well.  This is simply a governmental attempt to get data on everybody, supposedly for our safety.  Big brother is watching.....

Will

[Jared]

You can only do so much prevention, the rest is take it as it comes...

[Craig.]

visas will soon be needed to by the way, everyone needing one will have to travel to the US embassy in London, oh and incase you were wondering it shuts at 11am. Nice for those people in Scotland and the far west.

[ozzy72]

I feel that this is sadly paranoia and isolationism at its worst. America will come through I'm sure, but I think sadly it will suffer first, as this will all but destroy international tourism to the USA, and America will feel the hit to the economy from lost revenue and jobs . However at least all our Americans chums here know the score, and hey they can come to Europe without this silliness and have great holidays Visit places that are older than their country in modern historical terms
If anyone fancies visiting Hungary this year then do so before the end of July, as at the beginning of August I should be a father and will be unavailable for vineyard tours etc If you should turn up in August however, well there'll be a chance for you to earn some dough babysitting

Ozzy

[flyingfez]

I just thought I pipe in from the US.

I agree this is utterly ridiculous.  

What passenger compliment is actually going to let a hijacker take over a plane after 9/11.  Atta and his buddies queered the whole deal for all hijackers. The old line dont move and we won't hurt anyone just isn't going to fly anymore. (pun not intended)

Also I just thought I'd try to get an international perspective on this.

What do you guys think about the Airline pilots in the United States having sidearms in the cockpit

[ozzy72]

Tough call flyingfez with regard to the firearms on planes issue. Personally I think its more of a hazard, I mean actually having loaded weapons on board a plane is daft. It gives hijackers another way of getting armed on a flight Also what happens if there is a negligent discharge or a weapons failure leading to a discharge of a round in a cockpit? Hello mother Earth, can we be friends at 500 mph?
Speaking as a former serviceman (and therefore having some knowledge of security, especially on British bases) I feel that most European countries have the right idea that security should be on the ground, and thorough checks done there of both passengers and airport staff. If the proper measures are implimented then there should be minimal danger.
Maybe we should take a leaf out of the El Al (is this the correct spelling for the Israeli carrier?) book. They haven't had a hijack for I something like 30 plus years. Its sad, but alas necessary in these times.

Ozzy

[Hagar]

Also I just thought I'd try to get an international perspective on this.

What do you guys think about the Airline pilots in the United States having sidearms in the cockpit

Thanks for your comments Flyingfez. I would have to agree with Ozzy on this one. It's a difficult decision & I feel the pilots & crew should have as much protection as possible. However, I've never believed there is a case for carrying any type of firearm on a civil aircraft.

Not being used to the concept of personal firearms it wouldn't make me feel any safer to know the captain is armed, in fact it would have the opposite effect. If this (or the "sky marshals") becomes standard procedure I would rather not fly at all. I still think the best way is to make sure nobody on board the aircraft is armed in the first place. This might be difficult if not impossible but it's the only acceptable option for me.

[Craig.]

some form of stun gun would work quite well,
That and a few pars of handcuffs. Knock em down, restrain them. just as likely to work as a gun without the danger of smashed windows at altitude. Plus better to have a potential hijacker alive than dead.

[Hagar]

some form of stung gun would work quite well,Plus better to have a potential hijacker alive than dead.

Would that be a sting gun or a stun gun? How about a nest of trained wasps or even better, hornets?
Sorry to be flippant as this is a serious subject but it is my topic.

That and a few pars of handcuffs

I hear that Tie Wraps make very efficient restraints. Lighter, easier to carry & more adaptable than handcuffs. This of course applies to anyone, not only the good guys.

[Craig.]

lol jumped the gun on spelling:)::)
stun gun was meant:)
plastic ties cuffs whatever works best

[ozzy72]

Plastic tie-wraps. Hmm kinky

[Hagar]

Plastic tie-wraps. Hmm kinky

A very useful piece of kit. I don't know what they're made of but it certainly ain't plastic.

[ozzy72]

The are some kind of nylon derivative I believe. The police use them a lot now