A bit about the TSA and Their Dangerous Mismanagement Of America’s Airline Security:

An FFDO may only carry and have access of a firearm within the confines of the tiny cockpit of the plane. Before the FFDO can remove his handgun from his carryon baggage he must be in the cockpit. The gun must be contained loaded in a holster secured through the trigger guard by a padlock until the cockpit door is locked. Next the FFDO must remove the padlock and put the holster on his strong side. Each time the FFDO leaves the cockpit for any reason he must remove the holster, and relock the padlock. Of course at the end of each flight he must go through this involved protocol.

That seems like it is exactly backwards: The gun is supposed to be locked up whenever the cockpit is unlocked? The gun is going to be necessary when somebody comes through the cockpit door, and it is easier to pass through an unlocked door than a locked one. There has been some whining about 'classified procedures' and not letting the enemy know we are doing something so stupid. The cat has been out of the bag for a while, so it is time to change this stupid tactic.

If it's 'classified' then somebody tell the holster makers. From Galco:

Armed airline pilots who are part of the Federal Flight Deck Officers will find that the Holster Vault™ meets that program’s requirements for pre- and post-boarding weapon security, and provides extra peace of mind when flying with a firearm.

I don't blame Galco for making this stupid holster, they are filling orders and satisfying customers. I am not sure that the holster involved in the incident was made by Galco. I will say that this is a poor design for a bad procedure.

Let me suggest a better procedure:

1. Loaded gun goes into a paddle holster.
2. Paddleholster goes into a lock-box
3. Lockbox goes into a carry on.

Onboard, if the pistol is not supposed to leave the cockpit:

4. Lock cockpit door.
5. Pilot removes paddle holster (with firearm) from lockbox and puts the holster on.
6. Does pilot stuff.
7. Removes paddle holster (with firearm) places it in lockbox.
8. Unlocks cockpit door.

This still creates the situation where the shooter is separated from the firearm, and the gun is still under lock and key when the cockpit is opened. Not really optimal to my way of thinking. It would be better to let the pilots wear holstered guns outside of the cockpit.