Originally Posted by
Superguy
Yes, we know the GAO isn't well liked by a lot of organizations, especially TSA. Accountability isn't something agencies like.
I'm talking about physical tactics, not accounting. GAO is not known for gunfighters and hand to hand specialists.
Just mentioning what was in the article cited earlier.
Missed it. Will go back and check.
I think this is a false choice quesiton. This assumes that there really IS a need for FAMs. We can debate this till the cows come home.
I am assuming the existence of the agency, yes.
FAMs seem to work under the assumption that only they can save a plane. However, they also rely on the pax and crew to handle most situations so as not to break cover. Considering that in the vast majority of cases pax and crew are relied upon to deal with a situation, do we REALLY need them? Especially considering they're on less than 5% of flights?
The FAMS that I know don't think only they can save a plane. They do think they have better tools and training to do so than just about anyone else, which gives them an edge.
Chances are that they're not going to be there anyway when you need them and if they do, they're not going to do something unless things are really going south.
That's when you'd want them.
And at least from what I learned in my CT classes when I was govie, when the crap hits the fan and the guns start blaring, your chances of survival drop drastically to around 8%. I don't know that even having a FAM on board would significantly change those odds.
I've been in two gunfights and I'm still around. Where do you get these numbers?
The place to prevent something from happening is BEFORE they get on the plane. That's why the intelligence agencies need to do their jobs and sniff them out before they get too far. I think if they get to the airport, it's pretty much too late, because we can't really rely on TSA to catch them, and odds are low that there's going to be a FAM on board to help anyway.
Super
Absolutely. But you can't just rely on prevention. You have to have a plan in case things do go too far. Layering is the key.