Installed Physical Secondary Barriers, or IPSBs, have been touted by many in the airline industry as a vital defence against hijackers in the years since 9/11. While measures to ensure the security of the flight desk have been taken — requiring the cockpit door only be opened for physical needs or emergency repairs — some believe it isn’t enough. The barriers, coupled with proper training for airline crews, could potentially save lives by making it harder for a hijacker to break through.
According to The Atlantic:
Secondary barriers, supporters say, would give crews more time — approximately five seconds — to react to threats. Prior to opening the cockpit door, flight crews would deploy the barrier, temporarily securing the space directly in front of the cockpit door.
And it works. Well enough for United Airlines to adopt the barriers voluntarily, and, according to a report by the Radio Technical Commission for Aeronautics, for Boeing and Airbus to offer them in some of the passenger planes in their next-gen fleet.
But there’s plenty in the way of their widespread adoption. First, organisations like the FAA and IATA, short of dismissing them outright, see no need for them right now. organisations like the TSA have already improved their screening processes enough to make the barriers superfluous. Right.
Perhaps most important, though, is the cost factor. At up to $US10,000 a pop, a federal mandate remains out of sight largely due to cost. And they may even cost as much as $US100,000 over the life of the plane.
But advocates for the method aren’t giving up. The solution is a simple enough one that it’s a wonder it hasn’t been taken up already. It’ll just take some time to convince airlines to take them up out of their own free will. [The Atlantic]
Jacob
Wednesday, August 17, 2011 at 12:15 PMIs this also a feasible defense against snakes as well?
Sean
Wednesday, August 17, 2011 at 12:31 PMSamuel L Jackson is the only feasible defence against snakes.
attila
Wednesday, August 17, 2011 at 12:43 PMI am in no way tired at the continued presence of serpents on passenger planes.
Genghis
Wednesday, August 17, 2011 at 1:34 PMNo I to am tired of defeating the angry hoards
of snakes.
Tom
Wednesday, August 17, 2011 at 12:46 PMThe barrier is described in the article as a ‘retractible, fence like device’. Sounds like something the flight crew would still have to react and manually deploy during an attack.
Wouldnt a far superior alternative be a simple double door? If a pilot needs to leave, they open one door, close it and lock it behind them, before they open the second door.
Matter of fact i might just hit the patent office…
yrrnn
Wednesday, August 17, 2011 at 1:18 PMI was thinking the exact same thing as I read this article.
I guess that would be harder to implement on existing planes though. But I sure hope they’re doing it on new models.
Corteks
Wednesday, August 17, 2011 at 1:38 PM+1
Flux
Wednesday, August 17, 2011 at 1:39 PMIt wouldn’t even be that hard if you weren’t worried about aesthetics – got the “Lock Stock and 2 Smoking Barrels” route, and bolt a bloody big cage onto the existing doorway.
But then, we all know airport security is mostly about the appearance of safety anyway…
attila
Wednesday, August 17, 2011 at 1:59 PMThe way I read the full article, it is effectively a “double door”, just one which is retractable. If the cockpit door needs to be opened, the “fence” is put across, on the passenger side of the cockpit door. That way, if someone tries to rush the cockpit door when it is opened, they are delayed by the “fence”, giving the crew time to shut the cockpit door.
It is intended to be put across the corridor every time the cockpit door is being opened, not just deployed in case of attack.
Aliasalpha
Wednesday, August 17, 2011 at 2:15 PMDouble door with a metre or so between the walls, different keys for both and a CS cannister rigged above the door into the main section so if the first door is forced, the cannister blows in the confined space and incapacitates the intruder all whilst keeping the cockpit safe…
Race you to the patent office
james_whatsit
Thursday, August 18, 2011 at 12:53 AMor be accidently set off and incapacitate the pilot for the duration of a flight…
Scott
Wednesday, August 17, 2011 at 2:09 PMGizmodo. I dont fucking believe you guys! go and read the comments in this post:
http://www.gizmodo.com.au/2011/08/police-frown-on-no-apparent-aesthetic-value-photos/
Now go and read Muhammad’s comments in the various posts which you chose to leave. Now explain to me what was wrong with my response to attila.
I mean really WTF!!
I read and contribute in what i hope is a responsible way even when poking fun.
Way to alienate your regular participants.
Do me the courtesy of sending me an email and telling just how i stepped over a line with that comment so can try to play by your shifting arbitrary inconsistent rules.
spiderlama
Wednesday, August 17, 2011 at 3:01 PMgiz sucks balls now
Steve
Wednesday, August 17, 2011 at 7:53 PMMaybe they should install those little door chains in cockpits.
Paul
Wednesday, August 17, 2011 at 8:12 PM“All a terrorist needs to hijack a plane is three seconds.”
Not to mention every other security measure the airports currently have in place.
Seriously though, how often does this happen to even bother about it. More people probably die from smoking every day and no one gives a crap about that – hot tip, install a second security lid on cigarette packets.
ChemZ
Thursday, August 18, 2011 at 6:43 PMCouldn’t they just use a peep-hole to see who is on the other side of the door before opening it?