American pilots have been ordered by their leaders to adopt aggressive action to combat "suicidal hijackers", even to the extent of wielding an axe or using stun guns.
The Air Line Pilots' Association (Alpa) yesterday issued a new instruction to its members which, in effect, revokes rules that have operated in the industry for 30 years.
Mr Steve Luckley, chairman of Alpa's national security committee, said it was pushing to fortify cockpit doors, and was likely to advocate some sort of weaponry in the cockpit, "firearms, stun guns, whatever is necessary".
Alpa's instruction says: "The pilot must be both mentally and physically prepared to take the life of a cockpit intruder" or the axe could be used against the crew.
