Was this a FAM in ABQ?
Jul 8, 2008 | 7:07 pm
#1
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Was this a FAM in ABQ?
This morning as we were going through the handicapped lane prior to entering the security area, a man came up behind us and identified himself to the TSO as "law enforcement officer, travelling armed". The TSO asked us to move aside, looked at the guy's credentials and sent him on his way. Nothing unusual about his appearance - 30's, average length hair, casual slacks, button down shirt with no tie, open sport coat. He was long gone by the time
we even got to the bins, and I didn't see him again. Does a FAM identify himself verbally as armed?
we even got to the bins, and I didn't see him again. Does a FAM identify himself verbally as armed?
Jul 8, 2008 | 8:45 pm
#3
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any armed leo must i/d themselves at the checkpoint tho i doubt you saw a fam as making a statement that obvious in front of other pax is "not a good idea" (and fwiw, the fam's i've seen go thru security, generally go thru the exit after i/d'ing themselves and showing a bp to the tsa employee guarding the exit [at sfo & lax, it's very very very obvious])
Jul 8, 2008 | 9:09 pm
#4
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any armed leo must i/d themselves at the checkpoint tho i doubt you saw a fam as making a statement that obvious in front of other pax is "not a good idea" (and fwiw, the fam's i've seen go thru security, generally go thru the exit after i/d'ing themselves and showing a bp to the tsa employee guarding the exit [at sfo & lax, it's very very very obvious])
Jul 8, 2008 | 9:27 pm
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Jul 8, 2008 | 10:35 pm
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The only thing missing is a big neon arrow that says "gun available".
Jul 8, 2008 | 11:43 pm
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Jul 8, 2008 | 11:57 pm
#10
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Doubtful
Doubttful it was a FAM for reasons stated in previous posts; but why are
you concerned to begin with?
FAMs haven't need to go airside via regular security checkpoints. And most FEDERAL LEOs don't announce themselves within earshot of the general public, let alone use regular security checkpoints (generally).
Spiff does have a point about DCA though.
Some days you have a literal army of "armed with weapon" passing through certain concourses... and NOT all armed FEDS travelling via DCA are common LEOS (in the sense of the word normally in use) as an ordinary citizen might think.
you concerned to begin with?
FAMs haven't need to go airside via regular security checkpoints. And most FEDERAL LEOs don't announce themselves within earshot of the general public, let alone use regular security checkpoints (generally).
Spiff does have a point about DCA though.
Some days you have a literal army of "armed with weapon" passing through certain concourses... and NOT all armed FEDS travelling via DCA are common LEOS (in the sense of the word normally in use) as an ordinary citizen might think.
Jul 9, 2008 | 12:21 am
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Jul 9, 2008 | 3:26 am
#13
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I don't have a problem with this at all. If FTers pick out FAMs all the time or if other cops get in the way, there's obviously an OPSEC problem. Although I clearly have a big cost-effectiveness issue with FAMs, you might as well dress them like the Guardian Angels for all they corporately care about OPSEC.
I don't have a problem with this at all. If FTers pick out FAMs all the time or if other cops get in the way, there's obviously an OPSEC problem. Although I clearly have a big cost-effectiveness issue with FAMs, you might as well dress them like the Guardian Angels for all they corporately care about OPSEC.
Jul 9, 2008 | 4:28 am
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Jul 9, 2008 | 5:27 am
#15
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Oh, come on. Do you really think the "bad guys" aren't aware of this already?
When law enforcement officers make their presence known in such an obvious way, it is just plain silly to suggest that we shouldn't talk about it in a public forum.
When law enforcement officers make their presence known in such an obvious way, it is just plain silly to suggest that we shouldn't talk about it in a public forum.