Sky Marshals
 

I booked a flight last week FC, to NYC during Chirstmas. The continental rep told me no FC seats we're taken. However there we're 3 taken on the seat map on continental.com. (One for polits rest, but what are the other 2 for?) I was thinking Sky Marshals. I know most flights probably have them now. What are the chances that the flights I take have a Sky Marshal on them if I travel from the west coast to the east on CO?
Thanks

At least one of the others (a bulkhead) is set aside for passengers with special physical needs until 24 hours before each flight.

I wouldn't guess they’re sky marshals. They must have just taken the seats out of inventory.

The seat stealers don't book that early.

Isnt Row two like reserved for them? Should I change my seat to a different row, so I don't get booted. I payed for FC, so I would like to make sure I sit in FC. Do you think it will be a problem if I am in row two?

Row 2 isn't reserved for them, per se, it's just that they often sit there. Getting booted out of your seat for a FAM is almost never a problem if you reserve row 2 in advance - I wouldn't worry about it.

Seat Stealers?
 

Come on now, this is a bit harsh. They may "steal" your seats (and mine for that matter), but it is our fault for allowing the US Government to over-react following the events of 9/11.

I've never seen a marshall in a window seat.

blah
 

I couldn't have disagreed more until I heard what Jeff had to say about this during the Q&A for the CO DO II at IAH. Ran it past an FBI friend on mine who reluctantly concurred that he is probably right but that they will now forever be in the "deterent" business and that is precisely the job of FAM. Oh that and shooting people on the ground.

It is generally believed that fewer than 10% of all flights have FAM's on board.

For the OP - here are the problems with trying to plan ahead for a guaranteed seat in F and hedge agains FAMs, downgrades, etc.:

The OP didn't mention what type of aircraft the flight is on, but no matter what the equipment, it is very difficult to pick a seat that is completely immune on the narrowbodies. Row 2 is the only row that is complete on all of CO's mainline narrowbodies, but if you want an aisle, there is always the minimal risk that a FAM would take your seat. Row 1E and F exist on all mainline aircraft, but not everyone likes the bulkhead, and the amount of legroom vaires by aircraft. Seats 1A and B exist on all 735s, 73Gs, 733s, 752s, 757s, and 753s, but the legroom varies and it is not possible to reserve 1B in advance. Row 3 exists on all 733s, Gs, 738s, and all 757s, but if you get downgraded to a 735, your seat disappears. Same goes for any flights that are scheduled on equipment with rows 4-6 (in F) - there is always the risk of downgrade.

Im flying with a companion, on a 757-200 (2A|2B) there, and a 737-800 (3A|3B) back. Should I change any of these seats? Do you think these are ok? What are the chances ill be bumped, if any by an AM? Leaving 12/23, and returning 1/1.
Thanks

The seats are fine. See my last post. The chances of a FAM bumping are extremely slim. There might be a slight chance of a downgrade on the 752 just because the flights aren't for another seven months, but just keep checking your reservation to make sure it is still a 752. Unlikely they would downgrade to anything less than a 738 anyway on that route, but you never know what will happen at the airport day of travel.

I wouldn't one climbing over me while I am sleeping to stop a terrorist attack... :D

Some of us kicked and screamed in opposition. We were shouted down by those who felt "safer" with FAM and similar programs in place. But, I digress...

At this stage of the game the OP should just reserve some seats and periodically check to see if there's been an AC swap that changes things.

So would most of you agree with CO 1E in not changing the seats? It seems that they are fine, and most likley nothing will happen, right?

I've seen many-a sky marshall in a window seat. I saw one last week on an ERJ seat 3C on a flight IAH-MAF...like there will be a problem on a flight to Midland. What's the taliban going to do, crash the plane into an oil well? :rolleyes: IMHO, the sky marshall program is one of the biggest wastes of tax dollars on history. :td: :td:

*Yea, I passed 400 posts!* :D

Whatever the practical merits of the Sky Marshal program, I think it's really there to assuage the fears of the public. In that sense, if it achieves this goal, then the money is spent wisely. I don’t want to go back to the days when the public deserted the industry. Having said that, I think that the number of such marshals should be significantly reduced--cross train other law enforcement types so that the ranks could be built right back up if necessary. If the idea that there could be a marshal on the plane is the factor that makes some people comfortable in flying, then keep on feeding that illusion.

I know NW holds 2 seats for them, which are held for battle field upgrades. Delta does not and does have to bump, but that is rare, also that may have changed since the last time I saw it posted on the Delta board. They do travel more to the Big cities, but I have rarely seen one on a NYC domestic flight.

I can't believe that the FAM was on duty. To Midland? How absurd.

Meanwhile, I stand by my observation...I've seen FAMs on many of my mainline flights (never on an ERJ), and they are ALWAYS in aisle seats. It would make no sense for one of them to be in a window seat, because they would have to go over the pax in the aisle seat to interdict the terrorists (who are ubiquitous on my flights).