Comments on: Where are the air marshals?

By: Jackie

Jackie — Fri, 18 Apr 2008 18:23:32 +0000

Poor, poor people, you really don't know how bad it is wih the FAMS. Witch hunts, ex secret service people that show no respect towards current and former miltitary members. It is a fact that it was said "If you don't like, then you can go flip burgers." And the amazing one "You are not here to lead, but to manage!".

Here is the deal, Air Marshals are burned out. They stepped up to the plate for the mission. Management stepped up for the money. Too many behind the scene deals, abuses of police placards, and mis-use of government vehicles. All by management. But they get their relatives hired , who then get fired. There are a few bad apples in the rank and file, but you have to change the little kingdoms they call Field Offices. I wonder what is going on when they travel to foreign countries?

By: Bill

Bill — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 20:00:43 +0000

To all of you who say this is irresponsible journalism, I say poppycock! We have every right to know that the administration is AGAIN dropping the ball on national security, then turning around and using national security as the reason to hide their failings. I would far rather have this knowledge in the open for all to see (even terrorists), then to let the administration hide the truth, while letting the public believe they're being protected when they're not. The Bush administration is constantly crying "Wolf", to scare people into backing their misguided policies, while stifling opposition under the guise of patriotism. It's about time we started telling the American public the truth, instead of letting this administration's propaganda give them a false sense of security.

By: Dan

Dan — Thu, 03 Apr 2008 19:42:18 +0000

A couple of comments..first off, I spoke to a TSA representative about the nipple ring incident, TSA does not look at peoples private parts and there were no males in the room when to exam was done. She could have been carrying something in the bra that was much worse then the nipple ring.

Reference the story on Air Marshals, why are we reporting such information to the public, why don't we just hand the bad guys a bomb and tell them to use it.

I am with DHS by the way.

By: Robin

Robin — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 03:45:05 +0000

what kind of idiot would report this information? the answer better not be "because the public needs to know". what the public DOES NOT need is for the terrorists to know which airports are more vulnerable and how many air marshals you speculate are not on our flights.

i will truly hold you directly responsible for any terrorist activity that stems from this irresponsible reporting.

By: double-dog-dare

double-dog-dare — Tue, 01 Apr 2008 00:24:23 +0000

Drew,
put your money where your mouth is. Board a flight into or out of NY or DC. In the middle of the flight stand up and say something really provocative and idiotic – other than reading the transcript of your story – and see what the response will be. When you come to, try to gather your thoughts together, again, and do some more investigative reporting to determine whether it was a FAM or a concerned flying citizen that rearranged your shirt, tie, nice suit and TV hairdo for you.

It's beyond belief to think that you go home at night thinking that you did anyone in America good service by airing that story.

By: Alison in Texas

Alison in Texas — Wed, 26 Mar 2008 14:54:00 +0000

To all the people who are griping about how awful CNN is for reporting this info...

Now that you know that the security on airplanes is compromised because of the lack of air marshalls:

1. Write your congressman
2. Write your State Rep.
3. Write to the White House

Most people aren't aware of this situation. Now that we all know, hopefully we'll all get off our butts and do something.

Don't blame CNN for telling the story.

By: Graham

Graham — Wed, 26 Mar 2008 13:49:38 +0000

"This is mindless and irresponsible journalism" is an understatement.

I am a Delta Airlines Flight Attendant. I have had FAM's on my flight 3 times in the last 30 days.

I would estimate that 50% of Pilots also carry firearms.
Do your homework.

By: ex fam

ex fam — Wed, 26 Mar 2008 11:14:15 +0000

Where are all the fams? They left for jobs with better schedules and better supervisors.Sceduling, pay and career incentives are lacking. Where are all the female fams? This one, with military, college and prior service left due to reasons the fams are losing their employees...poor scheduling, horrible supervisors with mantra's of "if you don't like it, leave" and no interagency growth.

By: Elizabeth Plue

Elizabeth Plue — Wed, 26 Mar 2008 10:08:58 +0000

I just wanted to say that in the year 2001 months after the terrorist attacks, I was barely searched. The most security that I went through was that at one of my stops the gjuy guarding the entry gate simply asked me what was in my carry-on... he didn't search it at all.

Years later, when flying again, I felt that the protection was over bearing.... Why should I have to take off flip flops? And the way they treated me like a pain when really I was just in wonder of what the heck was going on. I hadn't flown in foever and so I was really confused and I felt like I was treated like a freak because of this.

Uggg.... I just don't like flying anymore and I never did. But now, I can't take my lotions or perfumes or make-up or anything else. So I have no desire to fly with those pains in the rear plus my divinely terrifying anxiety ridden fear of flying.

By: Mike Rappe

Mike Rappe — Wed, 26 Mar 2008 07:35:26 +0000

Why not announce this to the world. Why not give invitations to the terrorists. Unbeliveable how ignorant some people are. If there is something wrong why not write your congressmanIt is a good thing you guys were not around during WW2.

By: John Stokke

John Stokke — Wed, 26 Mar 2008 06:03:34 +0000

Anderson, your Air Marshall story only hit the tip of the story....The current regime/government has run even the basic safety of flights before a terrorist threat happens. I'm an Air Traffic Controller, and have been since 1989. I find myself and others working unreasonable levels for the last 2 years. I (though i know can speak for most) work at the Anchorage Intl' Airport. The supposed 2nd busiest cargo port in the world, and THEbusiest floatplane port. Just the short numbers, We have been working with 16-18 controllers where 32 are required since I moved here...and well, we're facing the retirements and losses that are going to leave us even shorter through the summer and beyond!!! The fixes are long on words and short on hope. Even if we got 15-20 well trained trainees...we'll still be on our own for a year or more!!!

By: Sam Henry Stone

Sam Henry Stone — Wed, 26 Mar 2008 02:19:12 +0000

Really: I thought that house was protected by ADT; I mean I saw the sign in the yard; “this house is protected by ADT alarm monitoring system.” Cost of the sign, 15 dollars; cost of the monitoring system; 480 dollars a year with a minimum three year contract and we’ll give the signs for free.
No Marshals on the planes! Who knew, I thought all domestic and international flights had Air Marshall on them. That was the sign the government posted outside each air port after 911. I bet the government went out and bought a bunch of signs, “these flights are protected by US Air Marshalls.”
Sign cost to the government about 150 dollars; staffing planes with qualified Air Marshalls, 75,000 dollars a year with a minimum of a commitment to a person who also has a life, needs benefits personal time and a vacation. You do the math; I think Uncle George bought the signs.

By: Nick H. in NV

Nick H. in NV — Tue, 25 Mar 2008 23:49:04 +0000

Well this is, in one word "scary". We have fallen into what seems like a false sense of security again! It seems like the country has forgotten 9/11, from a security stand point. I have twice forgotten that I had a knife in my bag and had it get through the security check point, and if I can do it by accident I am sure a terrorist can do it on purpose. As for the person who said this was irresponsible journalism and just the thing terrorist are looking for, I say good now its out there we know it and it is now our responsibility to fix it. I personally know an Air Marshal and haven't discussed this with him but have heard him complain in the past that there just isn't enough coverage. Not to sound too much like a conspiracy guy, but maybe Bush is trying to leave the office of President in as much trouble as possible so that when a Democrat is elected this year it will take half of there first term to fix everything, or maybe he is just an Idiot. Look the bottom line is that we haven't had an attack on the mainland US since 9/11 and people are starting to feel comfortable again, and that is exactly what the terrorist of the world want, not some blogger to say there aren't enough Air Marshals on flights, but us to again turn a blind eye and let them set up shop in Canada, Mexico, or even right here in the good old USA. Don't think they aren't still targeting us, we are and will probably always be the ultimate terrorist target and because of that we must not let down are guard or we risk 9/11 all over again.

By: C.H.Robert

C.H.Robert — Tue, 25 Mar 2008 23:47:08 +0000

Armed the pilots, and have the doors between the pilots and passengers solid and locked, and spent the money on having armed marshalls on most filights, there is enough money to do this with no excuses from washington, people should demand this and do. we have washington doing nothing and both the democrats and republicans not representing or protecting us as they should.

By: Tammy

Tammy — Tue, 25 Mar 2008 23:31:24 +0000

Is this even a real issue? The terrorists already know our airport security is crappy. Heck, the average American who flies more than once a decade can clue you into that much. I don't need some anonymous marshall looking for a fleeting moment of fame to tell us what we can figure out on our own. We're not imbeciles after all. I imagine you're trying to find stories other than election drama, but if this is the best you can do, I'll take another night of Obama preacher bashing babble or extra weird animal video or dancing prisoners or Anderson twiddling his thumbs on the air. Gads. America is getting too close to a recession for my tastes, our education system needs an overhaul, one out of every four teenage girls has an STD, crime is unreal, you never did really cover New Orleans again, healthcare sucks for average Americans, the environment is still in danger, and you're covering an air marshall shortage? Maybe you all need more coffee in the morning before you decide what is real news for this show. I am beginning to wonder most nights here lately.

By: Tcb

Tcb — Tue, 25 Mar 2008 23:28:30 +0000

Do you want to fix the Air Marshall shortage? Change the hiring parameters for federal employees. Who better to be an Air Marshall than a retired law enforcement professional? Except you cannot be hired into a federal law enforcement position if you are older than 40. Most retired police officers are in their 50's with over 25 years of service. Add to that their military experience and you have a highly trained, level headed, experienced professional that just needs to learn the rules of engagement during a flight. What a great second career it would make for former law enforcement officers and what a great resource to utilize as they continue to serve the public.

By: Jerry

Jerry — Tue, 25 Mar 2008 21:21:15 +0000

I am disappointed by see all these comments implying that this was not a good thing to reveal to the American people. Wake up! our enemy is SMART they already know what a joke airline security is. Do you really think that they have not been able to get sympathizers working at the TSA and airlines in the past seven years? Give me a break! Security through obscurity is not security.

The more these kind of "secrets" come out the more the average American will know not to sit back passively waiting on a sky marshal to do something when you see something suspicious it is up to us because the government runs the TSA just like every other screwed up agency. Take our tax $ via ticket tax and blow it unless we keep the heat on em.

By: anonymous

anonymous — Tue, 25 Mar 2008 21:00:36 +0000

Hey, James Ayule: Learn to spell before you tell Nate that 57 is too old to control a "young arrogant buck" like you.

By: Janis Lurey

Janis Lurey — Tue, 25 Mar 2008 21:00:13 +0000

I am intrigued by a statement that Drew Griffin made on-air in promoting tonight's program.

He claims to take international flights out of Reagan regularly (thus his alarm!). Reagan is not an international airport! He would have to be changing planes and going through immigration/customs somewhere along the line, such as Atlanta, Miami, NYC, etc., whether leaving or entering the US. Just how accurate will the rest of his expose be?

Maybe AC 360 should explore Drew Griffin's honesty, or, at least, accuracy. There's enough to be frightened or worried about these days. The public deserves factual and accurate reporting; objective is too much to expect, I fear. Is this a "sweeps" month?

By: David Russell

David Russell — Tue, 25 Mar 2008 20:38:33 +0000

To all those that are putting CNN reporters down for this story please keep your head in the sand and don't bother popping up with your nonsense. If you are not safe on board an airline then you are not safe, wouldn't you rather congress and the government do something about it? They won't do a thing until a public outcry forces their hand. If you think they would then why has this gone on for so long? As a few have put it already, the bad guys already know this information, do you seriously think everyone of the bad guys are on the no-fly-list? No, they are getting new members every day and the authorities have no idea who they are. It is much wiser for you to be truly safe instead of pretend safe as you seem to like it now.