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noflyingfan
11-08-2004, 04:05 PM
I like this idea, as long as these things really are "for authorized personnell only." Guns just seem too dangerous to use on an airplane.

Tasers are pretty scary themselves though. Ever seem them on Cops? :wired
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FAA OKs Tasers on Commercial Flights

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Stun gun maker Taser International Inc. (Nasdaq:TASR - news) on Monday said it won U.S. government approval to use its products on some commercial airline flights to protect passengers from potential harm.

The company's shares rose as much as 10.3 percent in early morning trading on the Nasdaq. They recently traded up $4.01, or 8.6 percent, at $50.50, after earlier rising to $51.30.

Taser, based in Scottsdale, Arizona, said the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Transportation Security Administration approved a "major international airline's application" to let specially trained personnel use Taser conducted energy weapons on flights to and from the United States.

Tom Smith, president of Taser, said in a statement the approval is the first to allow the personnel to use Taser technology on U.S. commercial flights.

Taser did not identify the airline or how many orders for its products may have been placed. The company did not immediately return a call seeking comment.

Last Thursday, Taser said it would split its stock 2-for-1 on Nov. 29 -- its third stock split this year -- to increase its shares' liquidity. The shares have more than quadrupled in the last year, having closed one year ago at a split-adjusted $10.37.

MadScientist
11-08-2004, 06:16 PM
This doesn't bode well for Deb and her invisible friend.

FA: "Ma'am, is someone else sitting here?"

Deb: "Just my imaginary friend."

Deb: "Wait, what are you doing? What the f..." zzzzzttttttt

Ken: :pokefun

MadScientist
11-09-2004, 02:18 AM
I think I saw on the news that it was Korean Air that got approval to use them on US flights. They have been using them outside the US for a while now.

Passenger Mark
11-09-2004, 06:55 PM
When the discussion over guns in the cockpit was going around... I had a Captain tell me he was completely against guns. His biggest problem was what to do with it on his overnights.

At that time he was all for tasers. He said they could hard-wire it into the cockpit.

He also said he was not real concerned with anyone doing anything after 911.

He was more worried that three people may jump up at the same time to use the jon, and get jumped by the other passengers!

spiffyone
11-10-2004, 01:42 PM
Um, so my obvious question is...

Does the Taser make you unconscious or just paralyzed? You see where I'm going with this...couldn't I just "request" that they use it on me at the beginnning of the flight?:cower

spiffy

noflyingfan
11-10-2004, 03:20 PM
Oh, goody, this is one I can answer. I wrote a story awhile back about a police department being outfitted with taser guns.

Everything You Wanted To Know About Tasers But Were Afraid To Ask, By Erika

- Sorry, Spiffy, but the taser is only designed to paralyze you for a few seconds. Every officer in the department I wrote about had to take a hit with it, and basically what they said is, you feel the most intense pain you've ever felt in your life for a few seconds, and you lose all control of your muscles. Basically, your body drops like a rock, but you're still conscious. As soon as the person controlling the charge stops the charge, you feel completely normal again and can go about your business. However, obviously, if you're a criminal, this is going to give police or whoever time to cuff you or at least tase you into submission.

- The taser uses compressed air to deliver a cartridge with two small probes on the end. (Basically, they shoot this thing at you and these probes connected to the gun with wires come flying at you, stick in your skin and give you a charge. If that isn't enough, the gun has a trigger which can deliver additional charge). An electrical pulse delivers 1.76 Joules of energy in five second increments. (This may differ from taser to taser, however, and there's also a way to use it for longer than five seconds, but of course, they wouldn't use it for a prolonged amount of time unless they have a really good reason).

-The charge will not affect pacemakers, but offenders under the influence of drugs or alcohol will be able to feel its affects.

- The probes are not long enough to go very deep into the skin, but they can cut through up to two inches of clothing and will leave a small wound like a mosquito bite.

spiffyone
11-10-2004, 07:40 PM
Bummer. Do you think they could make a Valium taser for FOFs?

:hamster