How to Spot an Air Marshal
 

Recently airlines have objected to air marshals taking up their first class seats with the result that these TSA employees must now ride coach with the rest of us plebs.

Twice this last month I have seen these genius' making themselves known by boarding before anyone else, even the disabled. I guess they miss that first class treatment! If they advertise themselves so obviously, it does not comfort me in the least to know there is a gun in their possession.

You do realize other folks like politicans and State/Local/Federal Cops also board airplanes first.....with some of them sitting up front due to the amount of miles they have.....?

Dead heading flight crew, FAA inspectors, etc. FAM's (except in rare occurrences) do not pre-board.

I travel for too often and know the rules thank you.

I guess the op knows better than you:rolleyes:

First off, you're making an assumption. Second, do you also have a problem with cops that carry openly?

Easy. They are the ones shedding loaded mags all over the place. :D

He's the guy in 2B or 2C--the seat to which you were assigned, but mysteriously ended up downgraded for reasons the airline "cannot explain."

Or he's one of three guys eating sundaes in first class--the only passengers in that cabin other than me. They had to act like they didn't know each other, but gave up after a while.

Or it's the six or seven guys who bypass secondary screening for the flight to Tel Aviv and who stand around joking and chatting before the flight, but act like they've never met once on board.

I understand but oppose the Federal Air Marshal program. And it's not just the downgrades. I am reminded of EgyptAir 648, in which marshals miscalculated and there was a mid-air gunfight. There were five fatalities.

I am reminded of Rigoberto Alpazar, who was shot and killed by US Air Marshals in 2005 due to an acute psychotic episode.

Passengers have clearly shown their ability to handle problems on their own, like Richard Reid and Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab. The Marshals have only seem to have demonstrated a threat rather than a benefit to aviation safety.

Actually, 58 out of 90 passengers, terrorist and crew were killed. The Security Officer (Marshal) on board killed one bad guy instantly before being shot and killed by other terrorist. Those were the only two fatalities in-flight. The other passengers and crew were killed by Egyptian Commando forces on the ground.

Mr Alpazar was shot by US FAM's because he stated he had a "bomb". The FAM's did not know he was having a psychotic episode. This threat was substantiated by multiple witnesses and the FAM's involved were cleared by the State Attorney. I can provide you a copy of the report if you want. Send me a PM.

How have FAM's demonstrated that they are a threat to aviation security?

Threatening with their gun over an airport parking spot

:D

You can also tell if they only drink water, hold their side during take off and landing, and refuse any meal...

Still doesn't change the simple fact that for decades the FAM's big "catches" have been limited to that one mentally ill individual.

Plus a few instances of catch & release in AMS.

I can usually spot them within about 10 seconds.

He's the guy that gets on the plane before everyone - so he can meet the pilot and any other LEO's on the plane that are packing - so they don't shoot each other.

He's the guy sitting in first class reading a hardbound library book (they must go to the library three times a week), with no laptop and seemingly nothing to do.

He's wearing a $50 sport coat and a $40 timex and an $8.99 tie. If he's got a carry on it isn't made by Tumi.

He's trying madly to stay awake - in fact he's typically the only guy who stays awake during takeoff - other than the lady directly behind you who got her first upgrade and wants to talk the person next to her's ear off.

Yeah, that's him. ;) :rolleyes:

LOL.... That's funny.....as every FAM I know eats.... And will tell how they rate the food based on the Airline.......

Sorry....all 20-30 that I know all carry laptops and play games/watch movies during flights.....try again.....

So when a couple of my buddies that use to work for the USSS are wearing their Armani suits.....or a few others that are wearing jeans and hoodies are just flukes....right...? :rolleyes: