Ok, I'll say it again....Eminent Domain. Look it up, then the Fifth Amendment.

If the Government takes property by emminent domain, it is required to pay FAIR MARKET VALUE for that property.

NO constitutional ammendment gives the government the authority to STEAL.

Again, not theft if the government can show that it is a national security need. And I believe a case can be made that 9/11 negatively affected our national security. :(

Come on, law dawg, isn't that reply just a bit simple-minded? Are you seriously suggesting that the government can take whatever it wants -- and maybe do whatever it wants -- just by reciting the magic words, "National Security"? Even in those rare instances when the government really does need to take something, they still have to pay fair market value for it, national security or not. Surely you know that already.

Bruce

Conversion of private assets/resources for public purposes is strictly regulated in America -- unlike some other countries. ;)

Gee, I wonder what the loss in revenue to an airline is when one of their aircraft is taken over by terrorists and crashed into a building or field?





As opposed to the wonderfully efficient airlines who fly half empty planes on a regular basis and have many employees sitting around twiddling their thumbs during slack periods at hubs. :rolleyes:

Just because most airlines manage their own affairs horribly does not excuse our government when it emulates the worst aspects of certain industries/firms. ;)

Been busy and havent had a chance to review this uplifting site. So now your on the bags of ballast stuff too huh? Even Spiff agreed that a more useful discussion could be had if we avoided the name calling, and he has great passion for his position in the mater.

It is time this whole discussion about "free seats", "stolen seats", "no tax-credits", "no its a tax break not a credit", "I'm right your wrong" is put to an end.

On my next day at the office, I am going to try and track down this information. If it is urban legend that has been passed down to the FAMS so be it. If it is not, and I can get some valid information above and beyond vague acknowledgments I will.

Either way I will post the informaton I gather, which ever way it goes.

Keep in mind one very important fact which has been overlooked in this discussion: The government has the right to establish whatever safety standards it wants for airlines.

An excellent case in point is the requirement for how many FA's must be assigned to planes with certain numbers of seats. It does not even matter if those seats are empty. The government says the FA's are needed for safety purposes and the airlines have no option but to put them on the planes.

If it had chosen to, the government could have set a requirement for an armed guard to be on every flight -- and mandated that he be an airline employee.

It decided, instead, to provide the FAMs -- so even if the seats are not being paid for, the airlines are getting off cheap.

If you have any trouble determining if there is a FAM on your flight, do the following:

1. Just prior to FC boarding look at the console where the GA scans tickets/boarding passes. There is a computer monitor with a diagram of the plane. Are two seats highlighted even though no one has boarded the plane? If "no" then there are likely no FAMs on board. If "yes" go to step 2.

2. Make a note of the seat #s. When you enter the plane say "hello" to Mr. G-man 1 and 2. They are seated in the two previously described seats.

Sorry if this has been provided already. I haven't made it through the pages of responses - I'm still on page #1.

Sam

And why on earth would someone want to do that?

Seems like a pretty nasty thing to do to these guys that are doing nothing more than their job. If you want to protest about that, then don't pick on them, write to your member of congress, the press or anyone else willing to listen, but to openly endanger these guys just seems pretty mean.

Yet somehow some folks demand perfection, or even "just" fantastic efficiency and effectiveness from government, but private industry (airlines included; I just cited them because this is, after all, flyertalk) gets a pass. They're both run by human beings, you know. Last I heard, humans are far from perfect. Just because government is run by elected figures means little as far as the effectiveness of government management vs corporate management. That's regardless of whether it's Dems or Republicans running things.

Agree or disagree with the program, it should be remembered that this website is a public forum. Anyone can just coast on in. Even if it is "unlikely" in someone's opinion, there is no reason to post information that has the potential to be used, or give those who would do our way of life, livelyhood, economy,lives harm.

Theoretical discussions, venting, discussing the merits of the program are all great topics and have generated alot of debate. Arguing the fact that FAMS work long day's, should we have FAMS, and all the other things that have been discussed here are not sensitive items, just theory. Posting "HOW TO" guides should not be done here.

Its one thing to disagree, write your congressperson, letters to the editor, vote your beliefs ect, but another to post info. that could be used as one link in a criminal act.

Oh, and if you think that the "bad guy's" don't web surf, you are sadly mistaken. I think that fact has been well documented in discoveries in terrorist training camps, criminal enterprises, ect.

ROTFLMAO at this one. :D

A person asserting to be a government LEO warning us about posting publicly observable facts: This post is completely over the top.

If "stupid frequent flyers" can spot you guys with some precision, so can the bad guys.