Prisoner Transport
Nov 15, 2015, 5:33 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2005
Posts: 42
Prisoner Transport
On a recent flight from TPA to IAD (apparently rebooked as a result of TPA-EWR delays), two law enforcement officers (not in uniform) were escorting a prisoner (handcuffed) on our flight. I understand that this must happen and probably has happened to me more then I realize but in this case, it was very obvious. The question are, what are your rights?
a) Can you ask if a prisoner is on your flight?
b) if yes, can you ask to be re-booked?
c) Can you ask about their alleged crime? - I'm okay with immigration issues but probably not cool with someone who committed murder being on my flight?
d) Can you ask if law enforcement is carrying a weapon?
e) Can you ask what group the law enforcement represents (DHS, CIA, FBI, State Police, etc.)?
The boarding process was bit weird. It started with your usual pattern but the people in question jumped the line early and stood out to everyone. The agents didn't get them on board so they stood around with everyone else for about 10 mins. which was just creepy.
It would have been better had they reached the plane from the ground level up to the jetway in the same way bags are returned to you. They should be on the plane and not in the line with everyone else.
The entire flight was uncomfortable.
a) Can you ask if a prisoner is on your flight?
b) if yes, can you ask to be re-booked?
c) Can you ask about their alleged crime? - I'm okay with immigration issues but probably not cool with someone who committed murder being on my flight?
d) Can you ask if law enforcement is carrying a weapon?
e) Can you ask what group the law enforcement represents (DHS, CIA, FBI, State Police, etc.)?
The boarding process was bit weird. It started with your usual pattern but the people in question jumped the line early and stood out to everyone. The agents didn't get them on board so they stood around with everyone else for about 10 mins. which was just creepy.
It would have been better had they reached the plane from the ground level up to the jetway in the same way bags are returned to you. They should be on the plane and not in the line with everyone else.
The entire flight was uncomfortable.
Nov 15, 2015, 5:51 am
#2
Join Date: Jan 2013
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While I understand why you posted in the UA forum if it was a UA flight, IMO this thread doesn't belong here. UA follows the same rules other carriers do with regard to prisoner transport.
I don't believe you're owed answers to any of the questions you posed except possibly a. (Question c in particular is ridiculous!) If they answer "yes" and you ask very, very politely, they might rebook you as a courtesy, but they certainly have no obligation to do so.
I don't believe you're owed answers to any of the questions you posed except possibly a. (Question c in particular is ridiculous!) If they answer "yes" and you ask very, very politely, they might rebook you as a courtesy, but they certainly have no obligation to do so.
Nov 15, 2015, 5:55 am
#3
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You have the right to ask. But no one is obligated to answer you.
Yes, with fee.
See a). Beside - for security issues, only non-violent suspects can fly commercial.
No need to ask, as the answer is yes. Federal agents are authorized to carry when performing official duties.
See a). You can always assume it is federal due to gun law (A FL LEO is not exempted to comply with DC gun law).
Yes, with fee.
No need to ask, as the answer is yes. Federal agents are authorized to carry when performing official duties.
See a). You can always assume it is federal due to gun law (A FL LEO is not exempted to comply with DC gun law).
Nov 15, 2015, 6:16 am
#4
Join Date: Mar 2012
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So item one, If you are on a Commercial flight and it has 50 or more people on it
You can pretty much be assured that someone on the flight has been to jail at least once (Simple US rates of jailing)
There are some specific standards in transport in these types of cases
If you see someone and they have handcuffs in front and no leg chains you can pretty much assume them to be rated non-violent
Its only when you see a single person escorted on with hand and leg chains and escorted by 6 LEO's and there is a row in front and behind of everyone that you start to wonder about things...
At the end of the day the LEO's transporting the person want to be safe and not have any drama's even more than you.
You can pretty much be assured that someone on the flight has been to jail at least once (Simple US rates of jailing)
There are some specific standards in transport in these types of cases
If you see someone and they have handcuffs in front and no leg chains you can pretty much assume them to be rated non-violent
Its only when you see a single person escorted on with hand and leg chains and escorted by 6 LEO's and there is a row in front and behind of everyone that you start to wonder about things...
At the end of the day the LEO's transporting the person want to be safe and not have any drama's even more than you.
Nov 15, 2015, 7:02 am
#5
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However, air travelers are not randomly selected from the population. For example, 100,000-mile-per-year flyers are quite rare in the population, but there are probably several of them on your next flight. I suspect that the formerly imprisoned are relatively rare on airplanes, for obvious socioeconomic reasons.
That said, while I'm skeptical that you can be "assured" that a convicted criminal is on any given flight (and intrigued by the math problem), I agree with the main point, which is that it occurs with some frequency.
Nov 15, 2015, 7:13 am
#6
Join Date: Jan 2015
Posts: 461
How are you planning to identify them? All types of law enforcement fly with their weapons. Even when LE fly for personal reasons they very often carry their weapons. You'll will never know who or when, but it happens constantly. You are free to worry about, but it will do you no service.
Nov 15, 2015, 7:13 am
#7
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OP can ask any question he wants. He won't get answers to anything other than whether he may be rebooked. That will depend on his fare conditions and his willingness to pay the fees if any.
Both federal and state law fugitives, violent & non-violent, are returned to their "home" jurisdiction by both federal and state law enforcement and those agents & officers are armed as they ordinarily would be.
There are hundreds of these transports every day. I am very surprised that OP, if he is a regular flier, has not routinely encountered this situation on UA and other carriers. Ordinarily the prisoner & escorts would have been pre-boarded, most often from the ramp. But, there is no requirement and certainly no particular issue in the way this was handled.
Both federal and state law fugitives, violent & non-violent, are returned to their "home" jurisdiction by both federal and state law enforcement and those agents & officers are armed as they ordinarily would be.
There are hundreds of these transports every day. I am very surprised that OP, if he is a regular flier, has not routinely encountered this situation on UA and other carriers. Ordinarily the prisoner & escorts would have been pre-boarded, most often from the ramp. But, there is no requirement and certainly no particular issue in the way this was handled.
Nov 15, 2015, 7:14 am
#8
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On a recent flight from TPA to IAD (apparently rebooked as a result of TPA-EWR delays), two law enforcement officers (not in uniform) were escorting a prisoner (handcuffed) on our flight. I understand that this must happen and probably has happened to me more then I realize but in this case, it was very obvious. The question are, what are your rights?
a) Can you ask if a prisoner is on your flight?
b) if yes, can you ask to be re-booked?
c) Can you ask about their alleged crime? - I'm okay with immigration issues but probably not cool with someone who committed murder being on my flight?
d) Can you ask if law enforcement is carrying a weapon?
e) Can you ask what group the law enforcement represents (DHS, CIA, FBI, State Police, etc.)?
I have seen this several times over the years, last time was couple of years ago from HKG to EWR with a guy in cuffs attached to one of the two escorts....must have really pissed someone off for them to go to Hong Kong for him
The boarding process was bit weird. It started with your usual pattern but the people in question jumped the line early and stood out to everyone. The agents didn't get them on board so they stood around with everyone else for about 10 mins. which was just creepy.
It would have been better had they reached the plane from the ground level up to the jetway in the same way bags are returned to you. They should be on the plane and not in the line with everyone else.
The entire flight was uncomfortable.
a) Can you ask if a prisoner is on your flight?
b) if yes, can you ask to be re-booked?
c) Can you ask about their alleged crime? - I'm okay with immigration issues but probably not cool with someone who committed murder being on my flight?
d) Can you ask if law enforcement is carrying a weapon?
e) Can you ask what group the law enforcement represents (DHS, CIA, FBI, State Police, etc.)?
I have seen this several times over the years, last time was couple of years ago from HKG to EWR with a guy in cuffs attached to one of the two escorts....must have really pissed someone off for them to go to Hong Kong for him
The boarding process was bit weird. It started with your usual pattern but the people in question jumped the line early and stood out to everyone. The agents didn't get them on board so they stood around with everyone else for about 10 mins. which was just creepy.
It would have been better had they reached the plane from the ground level up to the jetway in the same way bags are returned to you. They should be on the plane and not in the line with everyone else.
The entire flight was uncomfortable.
Nov 15, 2015, 7:40 am
#9
Join Date: Jul 2012
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Posts: 3,393
OP can ask any question he wants. He won't get answers to anything other than whether he may be rebooked. That will depend on his fare conditions and his willingness to pay the fees if any.
Both federal and state law fugitives, violent & non-violent, are returned to their "home" jurisdiction by both federal and state law enforcement and those agents & officers are armed as they ordinarily would be.
There are hundreds of these transports every day. I am very surprised that OP, if he is a regular flier, has not routinely encountered this situation on UA and other carriers. Ordinarily the prisoner & escorts would have been pre-boarded, most often from the ramp. But, there is no requirement and certainly no particular issue in the way this was handled.
Both federal and state law fugitives, violent & non-violent, are returned to their "home" jurisdiction by both federal and state law enforcement and those agents & officers are armed as they ordinarily would be.
There are hundreds of these transports every day. I am very surprised that OP, if he is a regular flier, has not routinely encountered this situation on UA and other carriers. Ordinarily the prisoner & escorts would have been pre-boarded, most often from the ramp. But, there is no requirement and certainly no particular issue in the way this was handled.
Nov 15, 2015, 7:41 am
#10
Join Date: Jun 2013
Posts: 16
When a friend on mine was an agent for the FBI he was required to fly with his service piece. They're essentially Air Marshals when they fly. So yes, federal law enforcement will have their weapon on them. The only difference here is that you were able to identify them as law enforcement due to the prisoner. 
As far as flying with prisoners on a flight, I've done it multiple times and it's pretty much as you describe, except for the uncomfortable part. I'd be more worried about one of the other passengers causing a disturbance or one of the ESAs on the flight causing a problem.
As far as flying with prisoners on a flight, I've done it multiple times and it's pretty much as you describe, except for the uncomfortable part. I'd be more worried about one of the other passengers causing a disturbance or one of the ESAs on the flight causing a problem.
Nov 15, 2015, 8:08 am
#11
Join Date: Feb 2006
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Only speaking domestically, state and federal prisoners are extradited from one state to another all the time. Often they fly commercial. There is nothing unusual about it. Also, there is a good chance that there is/are armed pax on any given flight you take, regardless of whether they are accompanying a prisoner. Just rest on that thought.
Prisoners are passengers just like you and me. If you have prejudice against flying with them, that's on you. Airlines are not obliged to rebook you, but they might do so as a goodwill gesture. And if you are curious to know what their offense is, cherish your right but be prepared to be told that it's none of your business.
Prisoners are passengers just like you and me. If you have prejudice against flying with them, that's on you. Airlines are not obliged to rebook you, but they might do so as a goodwill gesture. And if you are curious to know what their offense is, cherish your right but be prepared to be told that it's none of your business.
Nov 15, 2015, 8:43 am
#12
Join Date: Mar 2015
Posts: 1,620
I have flown on a handful of flights where a prisoner has been transported and actually a few times ex-PBI and each time they have boarded through the jet way like any other passenger, though they did board first, with their wrists covered with a jacket or something to hide the cuffs.
I personally could have cared less, I did not feel any less or more in danger than I normally would, which is to say I generally feel safe aboard aircraft.
Regarding Airline policy, beats me though I imagine that prisoner transport is probably not a reason to be re-booked without penalty.
I personally could have cared less, I did not feel any less or more in danger than I normally would, which is to say I generally feel safe aboard aircraft.
Regarding Airline policy, beats me though I imagine that prisoner transport is probably not a reason to be re-booked without penalty.
Nov 15, 2015, 9:21 am
#13
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OP can ask any question he wants. He won't get answers to anything other than whether he may be rebooked. That will depend on his fare conditions and his willingness to pay the fees if any.
Both federal and state law fugitives, violent & non-violent, are returned to their "home" jurisdiction by both federal and state law enforcement and those agents & officers are armed as they ordinarily would be.
There are hundreds of these transports every day.
Both federal and state law fugitives, violent & non-violent, are returned to their "home" jurisdiction by both federal and state law enforcement and those agents & officers are armed as they ordinarily would be.
There are hundreds of these transports every day.
I have flown on a handful of flights where a prisoner has been transported and actually a few times ex-PBI and each time they have boarded through the jet way like any other passenger, though they did board first, with their wrists covered with a jacket or something to hide the cuffs.
I did not feel any less or more in danger than I normally would, which is to say I generally feel safe aboard aircraft.
Regarding Airline policy, beats me though I imagine that prisoner transport is probably not a reason to be re-booked without penalty.
I did not feel any less or more in danger than I normally would, which is to say I generally feel safe aboard aircraft.
Regarding Airline policy, beats me though I imagine that prisoner transport is probably not a reason to be re-booked without penalty.
Cheers. Sharon
Last edited by WineCountryUA; Nov 15, 2015 at 10:31 am Reason: deleted resposne to deleted material
Nov 15, 2015, 9:37 am
#14
Join Date: Apr 2012
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My experience
My 'brush with the law' in this regard happened some 4-5 years ago while on a mileage run on US Airways to retain UA status. I was transiting from one US flight to another at MIA and was trying to print my onward BP when I heard someone yell 'tackle him!' Then a fit man in handcuffs ran by within 6 feet of me, followed by a very unfit 2 men pursuing him at a distance. They were gone in no time, people around me didn't even bat an eyelid, and I got on my flight back north, wondering how often, like the OP, such transfers occur.
Nov 15, 2015, 10:13 am
#15
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Not true. just about any LEO (state, local. etc) can carry a firearm in DC (or about anywhere in the US) on or off duty (LEOSA HR 218)
Last edited by WineCountryUA; Nov 15, 2015 at 10:36 am Reason: repaired quote