Originally Posted by
bbc1969
What misinformation is that?
You claimed that all curtains were removed "just after" September 11, 2001 and that their removal (actually as a result of TSA edict) had nothing to do with concern about marshals being able to see throughout the cabins. My 30 second Google search confirmed that they weren't all removed immediately following September 11, 2001 and that their forced removal (ordered by the TSA in Spring, 2003)
might just have been to please the marshals' bosses (TSA/ICE/DHS - whichever alphabet agency owned the sky marshals at the time).
I apologize for not making crystal clear the parts of your post that constituted that "misinformation." Sorry 'bout that.
Originally Posted by bbc1969
If one of the requirements after 9-11 was that the FAMs sat only in the rear most area of the aircraft, would FAM topics have gained as much attention on these forums as they have? Or would the topic only be of interest to those who have intense thoughts or dislikes for government, or law enforcement?
Excellent question. Given that the reason for this website's existence is that many of the participants are obsessed with airline points and miles (and what those points and miles typically allow us to do), your hunch is probably correct. If marshals sat solely in the rear (or in the front galley jumpseats, which is where they should be, IMO), there would probably be fewer complaints about them "poaching" First and Business class seats (Remember that legendary thread?).
See, this is not merely a travel or airline passenger website. Its primary users are typically that subset of travelers who enjoy collecting airline points and miles, which are often used to redeem free premium cabin award seats or to upgrade paid coach or business class tickets to premium classes. Every marshal butt in a premium seat is a seat that can't contain a paid butt (the typical airline complaint) or a free or upgraded butt (the typical frequent flyer complaint). Sit in a jumpseat facing the cabin and you would impose much smaller costs on both groups (airlines and mileage-obsessed passengers).
About concern for airlines' financial health: IMO, the smart frequent flyers who are obsessed with miles and points (and, consequently, upgrading) most certainly care about their airlines' financial health. When airlines are thriving, airlines tend to add F and J/C (business class) seats to their airplanes and generally make it easier to upgrade. That's generally what happened from about 1993-2000. When airlines are ailing, they tend to do the opposite. I prefer the former. Both as a shareholder and a frequent upgrader.