In recent times, I’ve written about air marshals on Royal Jordanian, and about security officers on EgyptAir, whereby virtually all flights have these people onboard. Here in the United States we have air marshals, and in this post, I’d like to talk about the current state of the program, as I understand it.
Continue reading: Do Flights Still Have Federal Air Marshals? How Often? How Can You Tell?
Share your questions, experiences, and thoughts below.
Ben, is once again inviting comments for the “Walter Mitty” mindless morons who know nothing about this subject. Aircraft security protocols should be appreciated but not openly discussed, yes?
Have to hand Ben a "Bad Idea" award here. Security protocols should not be placed in the open. If we found a flaw to get weapons or explosives onto a plane, would we publish it?
NO
Back in my heyday when it was not unheard of for me to meet hot guys on planes, I made eyes with an absolute smoke-show of a fellow on my flight to DC and we kept stealing glances at each other throughout the trip. Turns out he was an Air Marshal who thought his cover had been blown and I ended up in a mini-interrogation at DCA during which the words “Not this **** again…” were uttered as I explained that I just thought the guy was hot.
Talk about a government department that should have been DOGE'd out of existence. After 9/11 no one takes charging the cockpit kindly and pax always fight back. No need for FAMs now.
Other security changes made hijacking far less likely. They're not needed.
For air geeks… every passenger has become empowered as the eyes of air marshals… if you see something ongoing in the cabin or airport report it.
If you see something which may be an imminent threat to the safety of the aircraft you may have to react as your life depends on it because it just may.
Hope that helps with your curiosity.
Probably because DOGE wasn’t actually trying to eradicate ‘waste, fraud, and abuse,’ it was a Trojan Horse for Elon and insiders to steal our data, while attacking his perceived enemies. Simply put, it was a farce. Corruption.
If you see something, say something!!!!!11!!!!!!!!!!!!
Remember the time that Italian guy was caught in the act of committing math?
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-36240523
Put them on Frontier and Spirit flights. They'd actually be useful when the rats begin to act out.
Whatever do you think that you know about airline security, Walter Mitty 1990Bot?
Thank you for proving my point …. stick to your day job …. selling airline tickets to blue rinse widows!
Sincere apologies 1990. It was crass of me to jump down your throat before engaging my brain cell.
An idiot white van man delivery driver, not English, tried to change the shape of my car front end. I’m betting that he has no UK license, insurance, etc. That EU has a lot to answer for.
Anyway, again, I do apologise.
Thank you for bringing up 9/11.
It's still having the same form of TSA and FAM for over 20 years the proof why we failed on 9/11.
The problem back then and now is we're trying to prevent yesterday's terrorists not tomorrow's terrorists.
Bah! Glad you're unscathed. What would Nigel/Reform do to prevent such an incident?
I remember just after 9/11 when plain-clothed air marshals boarded early with the flight crew. Or, when you boarded first, you ran into the entire crew having their flight briefing - including plain-clothed air marshals in attendance.
I always advocated for abolishing federal air marshal service, and giving their budget to ICE. After they stopped requiring them to wear businesses attire, most of them started looking like right wing christian nationalists, with oversized 5-11 pants, untucked checkered shirts, shaved heads, and long beards.
I am not sure why we aren't taught to fight back. Say there are 4 bad guys. But 200 passengers on board. If everyone bull rushes each of the 4 guys.....sure someone might get a little hurt or get some bruises, but none of these morons and their handlers would ever want to do it again.
My first time that I find your comments spot on. Topics for post at OMAAT have been geared to clickbait. Moreover, we might be reaching the limit on Trump, Kirby, Delta vs United,Atmos, AA, Spirit, and free breakfast at hotels . Readers should be aware of the over 100 tracker sites activated every time you visit OMAAT. My tracking blocking software is working overtime. Sorry Lucky
Wasting our time? I thought it was interesting. Simply don't read it and it won't waste your time.
India, Singapore, Canada, Germany, UK all deploy sky marshals on flights to/from the US
My only (potential) encounter with an Air Marshall was on a domestic flight where I had an upgrade to first from steerage. When I boarded, I was informed that I had been downgraded, but the gate agent could not tell me the reason. I foolishly said, "Air Marshall"? She told me that she was instructed to bar me from the flight for saying that but let me board anyway. I have kept my trap shut on downgrades ever since.
There are many other countries with some sort of security officer on every flight. We should do it and they should get involved in a lot of the incidents that happen on board that are unnecessary. Why is it that these kind of people who are disruptive and entitled only happen in the US. When you fly in other parts of the world there are no big passenger disruptions.
I am flabbergasted, a ‘like’ deserving post from Eskimo. Perhaps I will be able to take you seriously in future.
After 9-11, i flew to Minnesota, i sat by the window at the same row where an air marshal sitting with no other seats taken. It was obviously it was him. He dressed neatly and play games on laptops. I suspected it was him.