Let's keep in mind there are not, and likely never will be, enough FAMs to have 1 or 2 on every scheduled, domestic commericial flight. There fore the bigger problem from the perspective of maintaining faith in the "security" of the air tranport system is maintaining the illusion that flights are protected by FAMs even when they actually are not carrying a FAM.

The primary purpose in having the FAMs in plain clothes is so it is not obvious there is no FAM on your flight. The Kettles then automatically assume there is a FAM on their flight.

If FAMs were in uniform. their absense from a flight would be obvious. And the illusion of security would evaporate.

I seriously doubt plain clothes FAMs are that hard for a potential terrorist to pick out. It's not like it's hard for anyone with half a brain or who has flown more than just once or twice.

For all the fanfare and highly publicized training, the FAM program is a psychologicial solution to an emotional need. The FAM program is akin to having a display case in every office building in which a fireman could stand with a "break glass in case of fire" sign. There are not enough resources to put an actual fireman in every display case, so only some display cases would be staffed at any one time.

So, my vote is a strong "could not care less."

But you can't maintain the kabuki theatre without keeping the FAM in plain clothes.