Originally Posted by travelinmanS
Thanks for the reasonably thought out response. I have some questions that I've wondered about Air Marshalls. Don't you get extrememly bored with your job? How do you fight the urge to fall asleep? Do you chat with passengers in a friendly manner or are you standoffish? How is the pay for you guys...it kinda seems like a thankless job because every flight is uneventful so I hope the pay is at least OK!
Yes the job can get boring. But compare it to a beat cop out on patrol on a series of long, slow nights. Same kind of thing. We just have to stay alert and keep in our minds why we are there. In my case excercise and trying to eat right, and get a sleep pattern around my work schedule help me stay awake. (Plus adding a little caffeine when needed LOL)
Every Air Marshal is an individual, so its just like anyone else some may be talkative, some may be reclusive. I try to just be an everyday "joe".
Pay is standard Government pay for a law enforcement officer, over several pay grades depending upon experience and years of service. I have no complaints. Some portions such as locality pay for cost of living adjusments in certain high cost cities do not match private sector benefits, but it is still ok.