reply to post by GreenBicMan
...don't see how a bunch of idiots with box cutters could take over an airplane..
Well...I don't want to make
turbofan mad, since his OP was more about WTC, but the boxcutters figured prominently
in all four hijackings, as small, and at the time
authorized onboard weapons of choice. They can be quite deadly, when wielded by a determined
assailant.
boxcutter examples
Now, it would help, (again this will be photos you can't deny)
it'll help to see the cockpit, again. But first, allow me to set this up. You
are sitting, seatbelt attached, your back to the door. The door is less than four feet away. The control wheel in front of you is mounted on a
three-inch wide colomn that rises up from the floor, between your knees. You feet are stretched out, or you are seated with feet flat, depends on
what's most comfortable for you. (Sometimes we put a foot up on the lower part of the panel, just for variety).
Now, the photos:
Both Pilots Seated, 767 in flight
767 Cockpit, wide angle lens
Note, the second photo is the view from the cockpit door, wide angle lens exagerrates the distance perspective a little. The seats are shown empty,
and all the way aft and outward, they slide on 'J' shaped rails. Also, they are electric, with manual back-up of course. The jumpseat there is
fixed in place, and of course only used for longer flights requiring three pilots.
On the B767, the door opens inwards, and there is a step down, about eight inches. On the B757, the door is more centered, opens outward, and there
is a step up, about eight inches.
SO, think, from those pictures, if you are sitting in the pilot's seat, about a guy intent on slitting your throat, who surprises you from behind
with a boxcutter......
Just sumthin' to ponder.