The FAA made the right call after 9/11. This was when they reinforced the cockpit doors.

[pnwmom]

They also ordered that no pilots be left alone in the cockpit. Even without a suicidal or terrorist pilot, there is always the chance of a heart attack or aneurysm. Our policy of requiring that an off-duty pilot or a flight attendant sit in the cockpit would mean that another person is available to open the door from the inside.

Someone determined to kill could kill this person first, but it would make it that much harder. And a pilot having a heart attack wouldn't have to endanger the whole plane.

[uppityperson]

1. Is that only for USA based airlines? Or flights within the USA by whomever?

I am not sure so am asking.

[pnwmom]

2. I heard it's true for all flights originating within the US. Unfortunately, they didn't have that requirement in

Europe, but other countries have been announcing plans to immediately put that into place.

[NightWatcher]

3. Or they could give the pilot a key to the door?

Whomever goes out of the cockpit takes the key with them.

Put it on a big ass key ring or concrete block like gas stations did in the 70's and 80's.

[pnwmom]

4. I read somewhere that our planes have keypads with codes that a pilot should be able to use.

But I don't know if European planes have them or if the co-pilot might have forgotten the code.

[Lee-Lee]

5. The planes have a code- but it alerts in the cockpit and can be overridden before the door opens.