>>>>The knifes do not have to be made of metal to be deadly. There are other materials that can be made into knives that will pass by a metal detector.
>>>
>>>Mark;
>>>
>>>You are correct.
>>>
>>>A quote from the source cited below:
>>>
>>>The Boston Herald said passengers making cell phone calls from one or more of the hijacked planes had reported the hijackers had used plastic knives to stab flight attendants and take control.
>>
>>Airport checkpoints in US do allow up to a 4" pocket knife [I think] to pass but not a boxcutter. I have a fishing tackle box that I use for all my computer tools and goodies when I travel. I have plastic handled box cutter that they caught in the x-ray machine and confiscated the 2" metal blade. When I questioned them why they took that when a pocket knife was allowed, they said that was the regulations. I was dumbfounded. While nothing short of reinforced doors and bulkheads to cockpits could have prevented these hijackings, we also are in serious need of reviewing our security checkpoint regulations. Still realizing that non-metallic knives can not be detected by current procedures.
>
>Are the pilots armed? I think, they should be. Also there should be a secure metal door between pilot cabin and passenger salon with a lock.

Now that's an idea!