Originally Posted by
bbc1969
That is misinformation. The curtains were removed just after 9-11 on all airlines as I recall. It had nothing to do with FAMs or the tactics they use. It was to provide the crew with clear views up and down the aisles. Airlines later went to the see thru sheer curtains like CO, and I have seen others with strap type barriers across the aisles. None of which were done for, or at the direction of the FAMS.
So fight that misinformation with more misinformation of your own, right?
AFAIK, only AA and UA refused to close their curtains between September, 2001 and their forced removal (ordered by the TSA) in the Spring of 2003. As
Time indicated in early 2003:
Pulling the Curtain
Monday, Mar. 10, 2003 By SALLY B. DONNELLY
That annoying curtain separating first class from coach on most airplane flights may be facing its own final curtain. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA), which oversees aviation security, has told the airlines that it wants the barrier removed permanently, to allow cabin crews and federal air marshals (FAMs) to see the entire cabin. Some airlines are not thrilled with the move, which could happen by the end of the month. Much of their profit comes from passengers paying high first-class fares, and the companies are afraid of doing anything to alienate those premium flyers. "Privacy is a huge issue for travelers in the front of the plane," says Matthew Bennett, publisher of FirstClassFlyer.com "And in this economy, airlines want to do everything they can to make their best customers happy."
If they are required to drop the curtain, the airlines are making a request of their own: that the FAMs be seated through the entire plane rather than in valuable first-class seats, where they often sit now. Industry sources say the TSA will have a difficult time persuading the marshals, many of whom are already bored and exhausted by the job, to agree. TSA spokesman Brian Turmail says assertions that morale is poor among the FAMs are "absolutely wrong." He says the TSA "is intent on providing the highest level of security." --By Sally B. Donnelly
http://www.time.com/time/magazine/ar...004392,00.html
I'm pretty sure there were dozens of threads all around Flyertalk about the TSA's order that the curtains be removed, but I'm too lazy to search for them. They would probably contain dozens of corroborating news articles and perhaps even TSA press releases.
AA retained the curtains on its airplanes until it was ordered to remove them in 2003. Dunno about the others.