[ValerieUSA]

On one hand passengers are supposed to be aware of their surroundings and fellow passengers as our part in homeland defense. Not every flight has air marshalls aboard.
On the other hand, if we become alarmed by what we see, we are not to appear alarmed, or the marshalls who are there (or not there) may suspect us as being plants to expose them.

Now who is supposed to be protected? The passengers and crew, or the air marshalls?

[rwfromkansas]

Incredibly selfish of the air marshals quoted in this piece.

[HairOfTheDog]

On one hand passengers are supposed to be aware of their surroundings and fellow passengers as our part in homeland defense. Not every flight has air marshalls aboard. On the other hand, if we become alarmed by what we see, we are not to appear alarmed, or the marshalls who are there (or not there) may suspect us as being plants to expose them. Now who is supposed to be protected? The passengers and crew, or the air marshalls?

I think now perhaps you have a clue as to how complex their job is.

[krunkygirl]

...or the suspicious Middle Eastern men?!