Originally Posted by Cholula
Since one couldn't enter the cockpit with a battering ram nowadays, I'm not too sure we need anyone guarding the door.
I see the FAM's function as monitoring the pax and, as has been said ad infinitum, they could monitor the pax better from the rear of the plane IMO.
First off, I think a lot of planes still have that 1/2" bar across the flimsy door, and nothing else. And even with a reinforced door, I would still prefer an FAM there to stop someone from, say, standing behind the door and blowing up their shoe.
The fact is, whether or not they're active, they will do what's necessary to stop a hijacking, and for people who are involved with flying as much as the GAs or crew, I understand giving some perks to the FAMs, who otherwise get crappy pay for risking their lives when needed, in exchange for keeping them safe.
We're talking about the non-active FAMs, so if they're off duty, why not let them have available F seats? I believe if there were active FAMs on board, and there were 2 of them, one sits in F and the other sits in Y somewhere. Who's to say there aren't active FAMs on board the same flight as the non-active ones? Our system is based on randomness. ^