Posted on 08/25/2006 6:57:54 AM PDT by aculeus
WASHINGTON, Aug. 24 (Reuters) — The armed undercover officers who protect United States airlines against attack have been told they can ditch their business suits for casual outfits that blend in with those of other travelers.
The director of the Federal Air Marshal Service relaxed the strict dress code and other rules on Thursday, addressing problems at an organization that has expanded quickly since 2001 and been plagued by poor morale.
On Sept. 11, 2001, there were 33 air marshals, but now armed law enforcement officials disguised as passengers are deployed on thousands of flights each week. The actual number is classified, but officials say it is in the thousands.
Dana Brown, who took over as the agency’s director earlier this year, said that beginning Sept. 1 the marshals could choose what to wear on flights.
“The manner of dress should allow you to blend in and not direct attention to yourself, as well as be sufficiently functional to enable you to conduct your law enforcement responsibilities, and effectively conceal your duty equipment,” Mr. Brown said in a memorandum.
In the past, the marshals were required to have neatly trimmed hair and men had to be clean-shaven. Some of the service’s 21 field offices had mandated that male officers wear suits and ties while on duty. Women were required to wear blouses and skirts or dress slacks.
(Excerpt) Read more at nytimes.com ...
In the past, the marshals were required to have neatly trimmed hair and men had to be clean-shaven. Some of the service’s 21 field offices had mandated that male officers wear suits and ties while on duty. Women were required to wear blouses and skirts or dress slacks.
Took 5 fuggin' years...
On a cultural vein...
The elimination of the coat and tie dress code reinforces the realization that when Americans travel, they look like refugees from a third world country.
Or as if they're ready for bed.
Standard dress code for the elite, well dressed lady attending an important luncheon - black sleeveless cocktail dress for an after five event.
"The elimination of the coat and tie dress code reinforces the realization that when Americans travel, they look like refugees from a third world country."
Why get dressed up just to get stripped searched in the airport line. Most travellers where what is comfortable and, what will cause the least problems with security trying to get to your fully booked flights and being crammed on them like cattle and told to shut-up and just sit there.
This showed just how STUPID Norm Mineta is!!! What a dumbass...I have NEVER seen a thicker person in politics....Bush should NEVER have named him.
Took 5 fuggin' years...
Well, Mineta's gone now.
You ar eabsolutelly right. I felt higly embarrased after being asked to remove my belt. Putting back the belt back in public seemed inapropriate thing to do, I just rolled it and put it in a carry on.
We should dress for air travel like journalists on assignment to dictatorial places where arrest is likely -loafers or other no-lace shoes, polo shirt, no-belt slacks. That way we can keep dignified look even when searched.
LOL... where's their 'man-bags'?
Exactly the same length as incompetent jackass Norman Y. Mineta's tenure as Transportation Secretary, which ended on July 6. Coincidence? I think not. I was pissed when they started slapping his name on the San Jose airport, back when I still lived out there.
Right. But the White House is also to blame. Any CEO worthy of the name would have been on the 'phone to Mineta and told read him the riot act. Bush should have at the very least ordered this dress code scrapped five years ago.
For the next few weeks, marshals will be identified by that stubble growing in.
For the next few weeks, marshals will be identified by that stubble growing in.
Now you'll be able to spot them by theu 511 gear.
i hope these guy try to dress like real people and notalways dress like it business casual...gatta have jeans, t-shirts, long hair or shaved heads, Sports gear etc...
But I can see some one in a tactical Jacket and pants from
511...
I always thought the suit rule was as idiotic as using green forest camouflage in the desert. Glad they finally fixed it.
I used to think it was funny (haha) to covertly try to pick out the FAM's when I flew...
I always could pick most of them out by the suede elbowed sports jackets, slacks and boots, with a wide belt (to hold up a holstered side-arm).
At that time they used to board first, but not sit in first or business class (sometimes)...That was usually a "tell"...
After 9-11 it got easier...
Now that they've figured this out...The adjustment is to look as common as possible, or "skuzzy"...
You can change the way a "professional" dresses...You cannot change the way they act...The eyes are always a window...And you can do the best you can to "not" look like you mean business, but unless you've been camoflaging yourself with the outward appearance, and combining that with the attitude of a skuzzy person...
I think that actually will diminish their ability to do their job...And one of them is to, as discretely as possible, observe and "visually profile" every passenger, either during the pre-boarding and loading time, or shortly before you back off the gate...
So know based upon this change, I (and more importantly, the bad guys) will be looking for casual people still doing their best to not look like they are watching others on the aircraft...
What gets me the most, is that this story got above the radar and made the news...
Or we are being played here...Maybe they want us to think they are changing to ward off potential targeting (of the clean-cut FAM look) on future flights...
But if they'd just let anyone who wants to be a FAM when they fly...That might discourage the average terrorist(s)...
Now where did I put that sports jacket with the elbow pads...
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