Federal Flight Deck Officer Training Program

ARTESIA, N.M. - OCTOBER 16: Boeing 727's sit parked at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center October 16, 2003 in Artesia, New Mexico. U.S. commercial airline pilots take this course and others during the 56 hour/six day Federal Flight Deck Officer training program, implemented by the TSA. The Pilots are instructed in the use of firearms, defensive tactics, video simulations where a pilot has to make a shoot/no shoot decision, and simulations, where pilots use weapons that fire non-lethal ammunition so they can defend themselves. Upon completion of the voluntary course, pilots are permitted to carry loaded weapons on the flight decks of U.S. commercial airliners on domestic flights. (Photo by Jake Schoellkopf/Getty Images)