ABC News Exclusive: Obama orders "surge" in air marshals by Feb 1

[seabelle]

http://abcnews.go.com/Blotter/air-marshal-surge-race-time/story?id=9493323

President Barack Obama has ordered a "surge" of federal air marshals to be in place by Feb.1 in what officials said was a "race against time," with other suicide bombers believed to be in the terrorist pipeline, although there is no specific imminent threat, federal officials told ABC News.

President Obama has authorized the augmentation of the Federal Air Marshal Service from other Federal Law Enforcement Agencies. ALL international flights will have Air Marshals on board.

Under a preliminary plan, the officials said the already existing federal air marshal force of more than 3,200 personnel would be deployed almost exclusively to overseas flights flown by U.S. carriers.

Domestic high-risk flights will be covered by agents from other federal law enforcement agencies who were trained as air marshals in the wake of the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks.....more

Uhm, ok.  It takes 3-6 months to train a FAM as it's highly specialized, but don't let that ruin Obama's muscle-flexing and fuzzzy math putting 3200 air marshals on about 90k daily flights.  The rehires will have to go through the school again, otherwise it'll be the wild, wild west up there.

Full disclosure:  My son's been an air marshall since 2002 and their budget's been cut every year, why the numbers are so low, the workload so heavy and morale is pretty sucky.

[thundley4]

Whatever happened with pilots being trained and armed ?

[seabelle]

Whatever happened with pilots being trained and armed ?

Some are, but there's still disagreements between the pilot's assn. and the airlines.  They have to pay for their own guns and take a 3 wk course at their own expense on their own time.  So most don't want to do that, and it's mostly only for guarding the cockpit anyhow. 

A FAM is watching the cabin and every move you make and s/he's packing a glock 

[thundley4]

Some are, but there's still disagreements between the pilot's assn. and the airlines.  They have to pay for their own guns and take a 3 wk course at their own expense on their own time.  So most don't want to do that, and it's mostly only for guarding the cockpit anyhow. 

A FAM is watching the cabin and every move you make and s/he's packing a glock 

Rather than trying to find qualified people to train as air marshals, the government should train all capable flight personnel that are willing.  Many of them deadhead on flights back to their home cities, they could provide extra security.

[debk]

I would assume the airlines are still doing it...but when my son was in the Navy and he was flying home...if there were available seats....he was put in first class. Skinny as he was/is.....he would still try to stop someone....just as I would imagine any other military personnel would do.

I have flown in first class since 9/11 and it's been amazing how the area fills up at the last minute with some pretty "hunky" men. 

[Chris]

I have flown in first class since 9/11 and it's been amazing how the area fills up at the last minute with some pretty "hunky" men. 

Last time I flew first class, the guy in the next aisle was ordering a Bloody Mary at 8:30am.

[debk]

Last time I flew first class, the guy in the next aisle was ordering a Bloody Mary at 8:30am.

they are free in first class....

frequent flyer points are a wonderful thing...

[littlelamb]

I have upgraded myself to first class a few times it was fun. I also got put in there when I offered to give up my seat on a overbooked flight once.

[Oceander]

Looks like Zero-bama just dumped more crap in his tighty-whities than the undie-bomber had PETN in his.

[Chris]

The airlines I normally use don't come with a first class

[JohnnyReb]

Simple: Just put all Muslims and moonbat sympathizers on the No-Fly list.

Hey, they can go bye way of walking, riding a donkey, driving, train or ship.

Scratch the donkey, PETA might get upset.