DillMan

I recently flew to CLT on AA and saw something that got my curiosity going. I suppose this is the best place to post my question, even though there's no security implication, just me wondering what on earth the situation would be.

While walking away from my gate I stopped to use the restroom. Afterwards, as I was piddling with my bags, I noticed 2 police officers ("Federal Reserve Police" insignia), with firearms, waiting at the UA gates. Both had sidearms and one was carrying a large rifle. They greeted a well dressed, but coach flying, woman. They ended up walking directly behind me until I left the terminal so I overheard some of their conversation.

Basically, the lady was declining "escort" from them and said she had made her own transportation arrangements. The officers carried her bags to the rental car shuttle and gave her their business cards "in case you'd like an escort anywhere during your visit."

They didn't appear to have SIDA badges but they were briefly in the sterile area with firearms. Does anyone what a Federal Reserve Police Officer would be doing in someplace like Charlotte (which doesn't have a Fed, right?) and why they'd be armed to escort someone at the airport? Furthermore, why would someone need an escort from the Federal Reserve?

I can't think of anything that would justify such a show of force. I've seen the Secret Service escorting Treasury Department that are carrying printing strikes years ago, but I didn't see anything other than a cheap rollaboard and a purse.

kburges

The U.S. Federal Reserve Police is the law enforcement arm of the Federal Reserve System, the central banking system of the United States.

cordelli

She could have been a board member on her way to or from a meeting and it was just a check to see if she wanted an escort. They have a ton of meetings, several a month.

cbn42

She really could have been just about anyone connected with the Federal Reserve. She might have had important confidential documents in her "cheap" rollaboard.

Since it was in Charlotte, my guess is that she was there to check on Bank of America. I would assume that the Fed sends inspectors out to the headquarters of the largest banks.

DillMan

Since one can't change titles I'll correct it here.....I meant to say "Why are Federal Reserve Police at the airport?". Not sure why my brain disconnected there, but I'm aware of the *what*, was just curious about the *why*.

As far as the "cheap" rollaboard, I was trying to express that it was plain and decidedly unofficial looking. My choice of adjective didn't mean to indiciate that I had appraised the value of the bag.

Thanks for all the responses. One generally doesn't see police with big rifles escorting someone on the step just behind you on the escalator joking about local traffic too often.

scoow

Mods can. Just hit the "contact a mod" red triangle or send us a PM.

I often see notes like this in threads. Moderators do not read every post in this forum & would appreciate the heads-up when we can help.

tkey75

The bloodlust in me was hoping the story continued that the "escort" was out of the airport in cuffs.

The cynic in me was expecting to see some report of the TSA reporting the pax for flying with a stack of cash.

Flahusky

The O.C.C. (Office of the Comptroller of Currency) does the bank visits/audits. They are part of the Treasury and AFAIK they are not 'escorted' on their duties. As mentioned she could be a 'ranking member' of said org.

Dumberthan

Some Federal Reserve law enforcement units have dignitary protection teams, which protect many of the 12 Federal Reserve Presidents. The Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System derives the authority to authorize "personnel as Federal Law Enforcement Officers to protect and safeguard the premises, grounds, property, personnel, including members of the Board, or any Federal Reserve Bank, and operations conducted by or on behalf of the Board or a reserve bank" from Section 11(q) of the Federal Reserve Act, codified at 12 U.S.C. § 248(q).

Dumberthan

Why would TSA care about how much money you carry? Unless, of course, you are taking more than 10K out of CONUS and have not declared it.

tkey75

Because they're always looking for the Big Catch™

The more appropriate question is, what does carrying more than $10k have to do with airport security?

FlyingUnderTheRadar

Dumberthan the TSA has nothing to do with money over 10k, it is a Customs issue.

MSPeconomist

Where was the plane coming from and how do you know that she flew coach?

gobluetwo

I do some consulting work with one of the FRBs and wonder who that might've been. NC is in the 5th District, fwiw. Could've been someone from Richmond.