'Flying the friendly skies:' Why US commercial airline pilots want to carry guns

Fraher, Amy L.

Abstract

Previous studies of social systems have shown that organizations develop mechanisms to defend against anxiety inherent in the system. This article uses field theory, systems psychodynamics and a participant observer methodology to examine certain defenses that became activated within a US commercial airline in the post-11 September 2001 period. In particular it analyzes forces affecting the event of arming pilots with handguns at work. This article's central claim is that pilots' desire to be armed resulted from a combination of external and internal pressures, personal valencies and work life changes.

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Publication Date: May 1, 2004
• Deposit Date: Oct 1, 2012
• Journal: Human Relations
• Print ISSN: 0018-7267
• Electronic ISSN: 1741-282X
• Publisher: SAGE Publications
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 57
• Issue: 5
• Pages: 573-595
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/0018726704044310
• Keywords: applied group relations, commercial airlines, field theory, participant observer methodology, 11 September 2001, systems psychodynamics, Tavistock institute
• Public URL: https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/1064808
• Publisher URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/0018726704044310
• Contract Date: Apr 17, 2016