Practical Travel Safety Issues - Ettiquette for air marshalls?

searched for a similar thread to no avail - moderator, please move if needed.

Is there a standard of behavior for air marshalls? Flew CLT PHL today. Two identically dressed, (shirts untucked, jeans, dark shoes, nylon broefcases and sunglasses) pre -pre board by cutting to the front of a very long line. Surprse - they are seated across the aisle from each other in F. Both playing video games on phones. Both have their briefcases in the OH - no other luggage. It is a full flight and the bulkhead guys can not find room for their bags. One of the bulkheaders says, whose briefcases are these? No reply. Again, "whose briefcases are these - wouol you mind putting them below your seat so I can stow my bag, I'm in bulkhead." One of the duo fesses up that it is his briefcase - but refuses to move it! Says he is in FC and he only has one bag and he can leave it up top. His partner pretends to be deaf and dumb and concentrates intensely on his video game. The FA's make no atempt to assist and te bulkead guy ends up with his bag somewhere aft. The duo then both fall asleep, (as in snoring asleep - not some sneaky security pretend to be asleep).

So what's the deal? They take two F seats on a full flight and then act like complete jerks. Shouldn't they at least have some minimum level of courtesy and understanding of how the boarding/luggage process works?

I thought FAMs usually keep their bags at their feet . . . :confused:

If someone doesn't respond when prompted repeatedly who a bag belongs to, you'd best pull it down and give it to the head flight attendant. Unaccompanied bags are a security threat. Remember, we're at threat level Orange - one cannot be too careful.

If someone doesn't respond when prompted repeatedly who a bag belongs to, you'd best pull it down and give it to the head flight attendant. Unaccompanied bags are a security threat. Remember, we're at threat level Orange - one cannot be too careful.

^

Assuming they were FAMs (not convinced) then their behavior was very poor. Unprofessional, IMO. Most especially the sleeping part.

The description (NOT behavior) sounds like the typical monday morning installer. I had a couple on my flight who fit that exact description but were not in 2 aisle.

Why do you assume they were FAM's? Boorish behavior is not uncommon in FC.

Why do you assume they were FAM's? Boorish behavior is not uncommon in FC.

Pre-boarding is the first tip off.

Pre-boarding is the first tip off.

Which tells me they were not FAM's. Plus everyone knows, FAM's carry backpacks, not briefcases. ;)

Which tells me they were not FAM's. Plus everyone knows, FAM's carry backpacks, not briefcases. ;)

LOL:D:D

Shoot, on flights I've been on, if no one claims it, the person needing the space will move it. I've seen flight attendants help on occassion, but if you don't claim it and help make room, prepare for your bag to be abused or moved some feet away and crammed in another OC that will fit it.

In fairness to all the hard working FAM's, I can't confirm that these two louts were FAM's. GJ83 referred to "installers" I'm not sure what that means. Is there some other type of traveler that would typically travel in pairs, dress similarly and always board right behind the crew? I see this fairly regularly and always assumed they were FAM's. Good Guy, I agree, I have seen much worse behavior from MR. or MS. DYKWIA - in fact that is increasingly the norm - unfortunately.

Installers - people who install things. In my company trainers dress business casual, but installers, people who actually put in computer systems, dress in a company polo and khakis.

FAMs act just like any F/C pax. Why should they be different? They are told to blend in.:D

If someone doesn't respond when prompted repeatedly who a bag belongs to, you'd best pull it down and give it to the head flight attendant. Unaccompanied bags are a security threat. Remember, we're at threat level Orange - one cannot be too careful.

While I realise you are speaking tongue-in-cheek here, if you really did encounter an unattended bag, you should NEVER touch it. Simply alert the crew who will then escalate the situation based upon their assesment of circumstances.

searched for a similar thread to no avail - moderator, please move if needed.

Is there a standard of behavior for air marshalls? Flew CLT PHL today. Two identically dressed, (shirts untucked, jeans, dark shoes, nylon broefcases and sunglasses) pre -pre board by cutting to the front of a very long line. Surprse - they are seated across the aisle from each other in F. Both playing video games on phones. Both have their briefcases in the OH - no other luggage. It is a full flight and the bulkhead guys can not find room for their bags. One of the bulkheaders says, whose briefcases are these? No reply. Again, "whose briefcases are these - wouol you mind putting them below your seat so I can stow my bag, I'm in bulkhead." One of the duo fesses up that it is his briefcase - but refuses to move it! Says he is in FC and he only has one bag and he can leave it up top. His partner pretends to be deaf and dumb and concentrates intensely on his video game. The FA's make no atempt to assist and te bulkead guy ends up with his bag somewhere aft. The duo then both fall asleep, (as in snoring asleep - not some sneaky security pretend to be asleep).

So what's the deal? They take two F seats on a full flight and then act like complete jerks. Shouldn't they at least have some minimum level of courtesy and understanding of how the boarding/luggage process works?


I don't think they were FAMS at all. Hell I've never even seen a FAM with a briefcase before.

Could have been anybody, could have been any Federal agency as well. Definitely of the opinion they were not FAM's.

Installers - people who install things. In my company trainers dress business casual, but installers, people who actually put in computer systems, dress in a company polo and khakis.

And what do bean counters wear? ;)

searched for a similar thread to no avail - moderator, please move if needed.

Is there a standard of behavior for air marshalls? Flew CLT PHL today. Two identically dressed, (shirts untucked, jeans, dark shoes, nylon broefcases and sunglasses) pre -pre board by cutting to the front of a very long line. Surprse - they are seated across the aisle from each other in F. Both playing video games on phones. Both have their briefcases in the OH - no other luggage. It is a full flight and the bulkhead guys can not find room for their bags. One of the bulkheaders says, whose briefcases are these? No reply. Again, "whose briefcases are these - wouol you mind putting them below your seat so I can stow my bag, I'm in bulkhead." One of the duo fesses up that it is his briefcase - but refuses to move it! Says he is in FC and he only has one bag and he can leave it up top. His partner pretends to be deaf and dumb and concentrates intensely on his video game. The FA's make no atempt to assist and te bulkead guy ends up with his bag somewhere aft. The duo then both fall asleep, (as in snoring asleep - not some sneaky security pretend to be asleep).
So what's the deal? They take two F seats on a full flight and then act like complete jerks. Shouldn't they at least have some minimum level of courtesy and understanding of how the boarding/luggage process works?

How did you infer two FAM's from this? Sounds more to me like two backup singers for Amy Winehouse. :)

I always make it a point to loudly thank fams for their service in protecting "us" just as a long line builds up during the boarding process in the aisle. So far none of them have taken me to task on my behaviour, and making a fool of american security officials is kind of a hobby so it's been a fairly good gig so far. :D

I don't think they were FAMS at all. Hell I've never even seen a FAM with a briefcase before.

Could have been anybody, could have been any Federal agency as well. Definitely of the opinion they were not FAM's.

How do you spot FAMs?

I always make it a point to loudly thank fams for their service in protecting "us" just as a long line builds up during the boarding process in the aisle. So far none of them have taken me to task on my behaviour, and making a fool of american security officials is kind of a hobby so it's been a fairly good gig so far. :D

Sounds like your making more of a fool of yourself.

Sounds like your making more of a fool of yourself.

Not at all -- these "undercover" "security" personnel boarding flights are the foolish farce being played on the people who buy into so much in the name of "security" or are just indifferent to the useless dog and pony show that is part of the aviation-related show. At least in the US we don't (yet) have a foolish national law that prohibits taking photos of "undercover" law enforcement officers and discussing the stupidity that the government forces upon so many parties.

Not at all -- these "undercover" "security" personnel boarding flights are the foolish farce being played on the people who buy into so much in the name of "security" or are just indifferent to the useless dog and pony show that is part of the aviation-related show. At least in the US we don't (yet) have a foolish national law that prohibits taking photos of "undercover" law enforcement officers and discussing the stupidity that the government forces upon so many parties.

So take your pictures and discuss away, but calling out someone you think might be a FAM is just setting yourself up to look like a fool. Lots of folks "look" like FAM's. How can you be 100% positive? And don't give me the same old tired, pre-boarding, cheap suit, white socks, never take their jacket off, don't eat the meals, only sit in aisle seats in FC arguments.

I always make it a point to loudly thank fams for their service in protecting "us" just as a long line builds up during the boarding process in the aisle. So far none of them have taken me to task on my behaviour, and making a fool of american security officials is kind of a hobby so it's been a fairly good gig so far. :D

That's a real smart thing to do isn't it:td: plus as stated in a previous post how do you know that person is a fam ?

Thank me if you want & I wouldn't say a thing & I'm not a FAM

That's a real smart thing to do isn't it:td: plus as stated in a previous post how do you know that person is a fam ?

Thank me if you want & I wouldn't say a thing & I'm not a FAM

Never stated it was a smart thing to do - it's just me showing solid appreciation for the job fam's do day in and day out. Of course, an accidental side effect of honouring a fam in public is that their thinly veiled cover may be blown - a small price to pay for honouring these heroes.

So take your pictures and discuss away, but calling out someone you think might be a FAM is just setting yourself up to look like a fool. Lots of folks "look" like FAM's. How can you be 100% positive? And don't give me the same old tired, pre-boarding, cheap suit, white socks, never take their jacket off, don't eat the meals, only sit in aisle seats in FC arguments.

Ok then. When do fam's board and what seats do they sit in?

Ok then. When do fam's board and what seats do they sit in?


I don't think you will get that answer here,,,but if you did you may be suprised.

I don't think you will get that answer here,,,but if you did you may be suprised.

Thank you. I already know the answer, and I am mostly correct in identifying fams, or people who are content in letting me think they are fams.

Thank you. I already know the answer, and I am mostly correct in identifying fams, or people who are content in letting me think they are fams.

Never claimed to be one, but I know a few. :)

I always make it a point to loudly thank fams for their service in protecting "us" just as a long line builds up during the boarding process in the aisle. So far none of them have taken me to task on my behaviour, and making a fool of american security officials is kind of a hobby so it's been a fairly good gig so far. :D

Why would they want to ruin their day by having to deal with a jerk?

Of course, pulling your name off the manifest and putting your name in the system as someone likely try and out FAMs might make for another good gig for you.....

I was standing in the security line when I saw three men go backwards through the exit. The TSA agent at the podium making sure people don't do this, didn't seem to have a problem with it. They went into a room right past this exit and three TSA agents followed them. About five minutes later they all came out and the three men walked towards the gates. I later saw them sitting at an international gate.

Where they FAMs? And if so, why do they not have some other method of gaining access to the secure zone. It seems silly for them to nonchalantly walk though like this.

My other guess was some sort of other law enforcement official who where "loaded"..

I was standing in the security line when I saw three men go backwards through the exit. The TSA agent at the podium making sure people don't do this, didn't seem to have a problem with it. They went into a room right past this exit and three TSA agents followed them. About five minutes later they all came out and the three men walked towards the gates. I later saw them sitting at an international gate.

Where they FAMs? And if so, why do they not have some other method of gaining access to the secure zone. It seems silly for them to nonchalantly walk though like this.

My other guess was some sort of other law enforcement official who where "loaded"..either a fam or as you said another type of armed leo and that is the big problem (and as you have noticed, so very very obvious [if you're a smoker, you should try the footbridge at lax t-7 ;)])