Originally Posted by gsoltso

I am in agreement, changes made be needed (whether they change or not is completely different, and will likely generate its own thread at some point!). Perhaps they could get the same type of treatment as the GE crowd, or even other employees of the organizations. I understand the need for them to undergo screening in a separate area from the general flying population (due to the reaction of some folks to firearms, as well as outing them as a FAM/LEO right off the bat), but maybe a difference in approach would be the correct answer for this. You and I both know that for everyone of these caught, there are others that were not. There has to be some sort of happy medium, that increases the ability to curb behavior like this, with little impact to efficiency. If we expect passengers to follow the rules, and be screened consistently, we had better be able to expect the same from our employees. Now how those changes could manifest is a different discussion.

The loss of trust is the bigger issue, because it is one of moral fabric - once it is betrayed, it is nigh on impossible to really ever get that trust back. If I (speaking as a former MP) had to rely on someone for backup in a hot situation, I don't want to have to flip through that mental rolodex to determine if they really have my back, I HAVE to have that integrity from my coworkers. If it is not there, then something needs to change - primary thought is the officer(s) that demonstrate an inability to maintain the most basic level of integrity have to be weeded out, and sent packing. Not only does this lack of trust impact the rest of the workforce by placing questions in their mind about what else the individuals may be doing that is lacking in integrity. Are they compromised? Is this something that I have to worry about having them behind me if something kicks off because they are on the other side of a situation. The lack of trust can also impact the public opinion and change the operational dynamic, turning potential allies into folks that are suspicious of the FAMs and their motives. It is just an ugly can of worms that has been opened, and putting them back in is impossible. Maybe the FAMs can create a positive path forward from this.