CAPT OF AN AIRBUS A300 RECOMMENDS THAT THE COCKPIT CRASH AX BE RELOCATED TO A LESS CONSPICUOUS AREA FOR ADDED SECURITY FROM AN UNWANTED INTRUDER.

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THE A300 CRASH AX IS LOCATED IN A VERY PROMINENT AND OBVIOUS LOCATION IN THE COCKPIT. THIS HAS NOT BEEN A PROB IN THE PAST; HOWEVER; IN LIGHT OF THE RECENT RASH OF UNWANTED COCKPIT INTRUSIONS AND FORCIBLE ENTRIES; THE CRASH AX SHOULD BE MOVED TO A LOWER AND LESS CONSPICUOUS POS FROM ANY UNWANTED INTRUDER. ALTHOUGH THE A300 DOES NOT HAVE THE SPLIT TYPE PIANO HINGE AND WEAKER COCKPIT DOOR AS ON THE MD80. A CONCERN STILL EXISTS IF SOMEONE DID FORCIBLY ENTER THE COCKPIT. THE CRASH AX IS NOT ALWAYS CONCEALED BY UNIFORM JACKETS IN THE COAT CLOSET AND CAN BE QUICKLY EXTRACTED FROM THE STRAP HOLDING IT IN PLACE. IT WOULD BE APPROPRIATE TO PUT THE CRASH AX LOWER AND THEREFORE OUT OF A HIJACKER'S OR ONE WITH DANGEROUS MOTIVES VIEW. I WOULD PREFER IT TO BE PLACED BEHIND THE FO'S SEAT; BUT CERTAINLY MOVED (LOWERED) FROM ITS CURRENT POS. THE ODDS OR PERCENTAGE OF A PROB MAY HAVE BEEN LOW; BUT WITH THE 'NEW SOCIETY' PHILOSOPHY; THIS IS AN OBVIOUS THREAT TO ANY A300 CREW. I SUSPECT IT WOULD TAKE MAINT LESS THAN 30 MINS PER AIRBUS TO BE MODIFIED AND WITHOUT A HITCH IN OUR OPS.