Even if the question "Are there any police on this flight" had been asked, what's the problem with that? It's not like that's making any threat at all.

What if someone had locked their carry on bag (like some of us on this board do) and lost the key? Wouldn't it be reasonable to ask if there was a police officer on board to help with opening it, since sometimes police have some lock-opening skills that they've been taught? In that case, it would be akin to asking for a doctor for a sick patient.

I'd want the name of the FA in this case, and would start writing to United to demand that she be fired. I'd actually try to start a letter writing campaign about getting her fired, if I were in this guy's shoes. Wouldn't that be sweet revenge...

What would it have mattered if Sugarman had actually been asking for police anyway? Hasn't TSA done a good enough job security our sterile areas of the airport? Can't they keep us safe?