<http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5g9H2FwrcdidAVzHfI4QBxa7YlEEwD8VK1DA06>

"Pilot's Gun Fires on US Airways Flight

2 hours ago

DENVER (AP) — A gun belonging to the pilot of a US Airways plane
discharged as the aircraft was on approach to land in North Carolina
over the weekend, the first time a weapon issued under a federal program
to arm pilots was fired, authorities said Monday.

The "accidental discharge" Saturday aboard Flight 1536 from Denver to
Charlotte did not pose a danger to the aircraft or the 124 passengers,
two pilots and three flight attendants aboard, said Greg Alter of the
Federal Air Marshal Service.

"We know that there was never any danger to the aircraft or to the
occupants on board," Alter said.

The firing is the first time a pilot's weapon has been fired on a plane
under a program created after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks to
allow pilots, for example, to use a firearm to defend against any act of
air piracy or criminal violence, he said.

The Transportation Security Administration is investigating how the gun
discharged and is being assisted by the Air Marshal Service, Alter said.

On 2008-03-24 18:34:10 -0500, jakdedert bellsouth.net> said:

"Boston Blackie (Read only 0.01%% by KD the Merciless!)" mail.com>
wrote in message news:2008032420533716807-bblackie@mailcom...

Boston Blackie (Read only 0.01%% by KD the Merciless!) wrote:

On Mar 24, 9:35 pm, "Olin" comcast.net> wrote:

I have two kids in Atlanta and some friends there, so visit a few
times a year. So far, I have not taken in the new aquarium. From
what you've written here, I may never...

-KD

"KD" gmail.com> wrote in message
news:aff0e671-ae19-421b-a48c-33c089f57b9b@n75g2000hsh.googlegroups.com...

Well, don't avoid it on my account. To be totally fair, we did go on a
Friday when school was out, and middle of the week might be considerably
calmer.

That said, the next time we go to Atlanta, I think we will avoid it like the
plague.

On Mar 25, 7:46 am, "Olin" comcast.net> wrote:

Ah, that's like the people who insist on going to the Field Museum or
Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago while "visiting grandma over
the river and through the woods" on Thanksgiving weekend. It's always
a total madhouse and something I wouldn't do if someone paid me.

-KD

"jakdedert" bellsouth.net> wrote in message
news:rE0Gj.35705$by3.11780@bignews5.bellsouth.net...

"KD" gmail.com> wrote in message
news:eaa77dce-6bd1-410c-8d9d-50e4c9c00bd1@p25g2000hsf.googlegroups.com...

True enough... still on an Easter weekend, with school out, and that being
the only time we had to go, I was surprised at the crowd, given that most of
the tickets are "timed" to effect better crowd flow, and more than a little
underwhelmed at the level of friendliness and helpful attitude of the staff.

On 2008-03-25 19:41:53 -0500, "Olin" comcast.net> said:

I was standing in line waiting to pass through one of those security
gates when the gentleman in front of me, after a quick discussion with
the guard, walked around it and on to his destination.

Curious, I asked the guard how that happened. Seems my predecessor
wears a pacemaker and he absolutely should not walk through the gate.

Nobody that I know wears mechanical watches, these days, but I wonder
if the gates will stop those if they're worn.