Ex-Air Marshall:Air Marshall Training a National Disgrace

[TexasSkyhawk]

They have a training program for federal air marshals?

If someone could explain to me how a sit-up or push-up makes me a better shot, I would understand this better.

Shooting is rarely your first option or choice on an airplane, and in all honesty, it's something you DON'T want to do. And not because of the Hollywood BS about a little bullet hole in the skin causing the airliner to blow up and have people sucked out, blah blah blah.

It's because you are dealing with extremely tight quarters.

We had to get some fairly extensive "airline training" since we always flew armed. It's not rocket science and it's about awareness and proper reaction. And quite honestly, there isn't enough money in the U.S. Treasury to ever make me want to be an air marshal--even KNOWING that the liklihood of anything happening is almost zilch. (Of course, all it takes is one incident. . .)

Immediately after 9/11 when all the hype about "putting more air marshals" was being praised as salvation, we quietly tried to introduce a better plan.

That plan was to allow all law enforcement and special operations military folks to fly for free. . . armed, of course.

Airlines wouldn't even discuss it.

Jeff

 

[Mr_Rogers]

TexasSkyhawk
Not surprised the airlines did not like the idea of general armed passengers. Airline management lives in its own ivory tower. The only information that gets considered is provided by lackeys whose greatest job security is -- dah dah - to provide only the information management wants to hear. After Sept11 one airline purchased hundreds of Tasers for use by pilots without getting FAA approval for use. The airline was absolutely sure the FAA would go along. I guess those Tasers are still in storage somewhere because the airline never did get FAA approval.

In Gulf War One I was an airline pilot with one of the major airlines ferrying troops. Since I had been a flight instructor in Saudi Arabia I knew quite a few senior Saudi Air Force officers and I spoke a bit of Arabic. I volunteered to join the operations team in Saudi Arabia.

The reply - sorry no can do, you are not MANAGEMENT.

 

[shouldifail]

i just did some work for an air marshall.
got in with the DOD after he did his stint as a marine. one of the most quiet, reserved, laid back guys i have met in a long time. not the kind of guy to toot his own horn. took awhile for him to open up and talk about what he does.
from what he said, as a federal air marshall, he is required to train alot.
currently on his 3rd issue pistol. wore the other two out. shoots 3 gun matches in his off time. says he trains hard so should he ever needs to do "his job" it will come easy.
last time i saw him he was nursing broken ribs from hand to hand training. krav maga, and "some delta force BS" as he referred to it. lots of cross training with the "d-boys" from what i understand.
he said that the majority of the flights hes been on have been higher potential for risk, overseas, etc. but that on domestic flights, pilots are armed alot of the time.
regular guy like you and i....one would not suspect that he would be anything other than a guy just trying to get somewhere. carried a full size sig, undetectable. and i was looking for it!
i would guess that as with anything, dedication, skill, proficiency, and abilith are going to vary on a person to person basis. this guy seems like one that you would want to be on board should bad things happen on your flight.
just my $.02.

 

[Dravur]

These boxes could be flown around with every plane with little expense, and an enormous increase in the happiness of the average American beleaguered air traveler. How hard would that be? What sort of ******* bureaucratic mentality does it take for someone NOT to implement that system?

because you don't give up your knife at the plane, but at baggage screening....They don't have a magic box that would beam your particular knife to your particular plane....

I guess they could use the honor system, where Mohammed Jihad gets his knife back and is told to put it in the lockbox on the plane... That might work...

Probably do the same with guns....

 

[Haemon]

Only one way to get to the bottom of this -- congressional oversight. I think it's a bit foolish to take for granted either the claims of the TSA administrators or employees. These are some pretty disturbing allegations, so I believe the flying public deserves a bit more than "assurances" and media flak responses before the issue goes away.

There's a reason far having three separate branches of governemnt, and this is one. If a gov't agency might not be doing its job, I need my reps in DC (regardless of party) to be on their cases like white on rice.

 

[Regolith]

because you don't give up your knife at the plane, but at baggage screening....They don't have a magic box that would beam your particular knife to your particular plane....

Or, after the passengers have finished loading, they can hand the box to somebody whose job is to - get this - walk over and put the box on the plane. Much better to wait a few extra minutes on the tarmac while they load the box into the cargo hold than lose your $80 leatherman because you forgot to put it in your checked luggage.

 

[wideym]

With the knowlege of what the 9/11 highjackers intended and did with the highjacked planes, todays airline passengers are more likely to stomp an attempted highjacker to death.

9/11 upped the ante, if you think you are going to die while your plane is being used as a guided missle, then it's better to take your chances against the highjackers with fist, foot, and teeth.

The idea of an armed air marshall is more of a deterant, you will still have highjackings or attempted highjackings.

Oh yeah, if you "forgot" to pack your $80 leatherman, then you deserve to lose it. The world has changed since 9/11 and not much for the better, get used to it, because it's not going to change back ever again.

 

[Dravur]

Or, after the passengers have finished loading, they can hand the box to somebody whose job is to - get this - walk over and put the box on the plane. Much better to wait a few extra minutes on the tarmac while they load the box into the cargo hold than lose your $80 leatherman because you forgot to put it in your checked luggage.

Have you actually flown lately? They do not take your knife at boarding... they take it at baggage/Security check.. this is in the terminal at the airport, not out on the concourses. So, with hundreds of planes, they now have to install a system to move small boxes to these planes.... and if you are running a bit late, then do they have to make a special trip to your plane? This adds man hours and new systems... at a cost....

Or, they could just tell you in advance not to bring them or put them in your checked luggage. Which is more cost effective?

 

[DRZinn]

if you "forgot" to pack your $80 leatherman, then you deserve to lose it. The world has changed since 9/11 and not much for the better, get used to it, because it's not going to change back ever again.

You are part of the problem.

 

[Doggy Daddy]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Standing Wolf

If government is the answer, it must have been a really stupid question.

Sigged.

ditto!

Thanks, Wolf.

 

[SSN Vet]

business as usual in our kinder and gentler p.c. federal agencies.

 

[ZMP_CTR]

In response to some earlier posts about being fit helping your shooting. Being fit helps in everything you do. Breath control, stamina, and reflexes are just to name a few. I was in the military and the only people I remember saying that being fit didn't help with the job were the folks who were out of shape.

I am friends with an Air Marshall. He trains a lot and has not voiced any concerns to me.