Also, I am under the impression (have been for a while, and haven't checked in a while, so I hope I am right here) that the Air Marshall program of years ago made use of canvas bullets... which I suppose will not rupture a plane hull but would sufficiently harm a potential highjacker.

Any air force geeks out there care to elaborate? The mention of canvas stuck in my head years ago when I heard it, because it sounded so bizarre and unusual. Then again, I might have dreamed it all. I am still hoping that I have been dreaming for the last 14 days.


>>>How about an undercover ARMED agent on board to protect the plane and passengers?
>>
>>That's *one* good way to make sure the plane crashes - guns and planes don't mix very well...
>
>Not necessarily true, Rick.
>
>First off, federal marshalls are highly trained to hit their targets. A bullet after going through the attacker's body (if it even goes through) would not have sufficient velocity to puncture the aircraft's airframe (if it were of a low enough caliber).
>
>I'm told that in Israel, the crew is armed with special guns that are specifically designed not to compromise the integrity of the aircraft if a bullet should strike the interior.
>
>Israel has not had a hijacking in recent times.
>
>There are other weapons which can be used as well (rubber bullets, tasers etc.). I would say the only weapons that you absolutely would NOT want to use is noxious or deleterious substances like mace, capstan (pepper spray) etc.
>
>I am convinced that we need to arm our flight crews as well as provide armed marshalls on board all commercial aircraft and I have argued this point prior to Tuesdays tragedy.
>
>-JT