Posted on 08/09/2004 12:11:25 PM PDT by E Rocc
2 Air Marshals Removed From Cleveland Flight
Air Marshals Worry They're Too Easily Noticed
POSTED: 8:53 am EDT August 9, 2004
CLEVELAND -- Some federal air marshals complain that rigid dress codes and grooming rules have made them easy to spot.
"It's a joke," one air marshal, speaking on condition of anonymity, told The Plain Dealer.
For months, marshals have been trying to get the dress code rules relaxed because they say their formal dress makes them stick out, not blend in.
"You can't go out on Southwest Airlines on a weekend in a business suit," said John Amat, a spokesman for the Federal Law Enforcement Officer Association. "It just doesn't cut it."
Amat and air marshals say if the casual traveler can spot an air marshal, so could a potential terrorist. The biggest fear among some air marshals is that terrorists will specifically target them and use their weapons to hijack a plane.
Federal officials vigorously defend the dress code and say the complaining marshals are exaggerating the issue.
"They're going to look like any other passenger, but they need to be dressed professionally. The suggestion that air marshals are easily spotted because of their attire is simply not true," said David Adams, a spokesman for the service.
The issue took on renewed urgency last month, when two marshals were removed from a Southwest Airlines flight leaving Cleveland Hopkins International Airport, after a supervisor saw them improperly dressed. Their sport coats were not visible, the newspaper reported, citing law enforcement sources familiar with the incident.
The marshals were not replaced on the flight, the sources said.
Amat said this matter was the first publicly known incident in which agents were removed from a flight for violating the dress code. The association represents about 1,300 air marshals.
Air marshals told The Plain Dealer they used to be encouraged to grow beards and dress casually to blend in with airport crowds.
The current policy was put in place in 2002 by the Federal Air Marshal Service, a branch of the Department of Homeland Security. It says air marshals should wear "conservative" business attire such as sport coats and slacks. Grooming rules dictate the length of sideburns and the trim of an agent's hair and mustache.
Amat said boarding procedures that require marshals to check in with ticket agents also make them easy to spot.
"The bottom line is no one should know who these guys are," Amat said.
-Eric
REAL cops know this stuff. Apparently the TSA is not being run by REAL cops.
SNAFU placemarker.
reminds me of having to shine your boots while on infantry
combat manuevers in field bivouac.
TSA leaders would make great "garrison soldiers"
That may explain why we had little or no HUMINT folks on the ground in Iraq. They couldn't get the sports coat over the Burqa.
Æ
-PJ
Whether they broke policy or not if they were not replaced this supervisor needs to be fired for endangerment IMO.
"The marshals were not replaced on the flight, the sources said."
It was more important to chastise these guys for not being dressed properly than it was to make sure that the passengers on that plane were protected.
"You can't go out on Southwest Airlines on a weekend in a business suit,"
REAL cops know this stuff. Apparently the TSA is not being run by REAL cops.
When I fly, I try to use Southwest. I like Herb Kelliher and his whole attitude. I have enjoyed myself on all their flights.
I want the air marshalls to PROTECT me and fellow passengers. I don't want them to wear conspicous clothing. That puts them and the entire flight of passengers in jeopardy, IMO.
What will it take for Tom Ridge to get off this requirement? Do we have any website or fax number we can send a post to? TIA.
Just what about "under cover" is it that the TSA doesn't understand?
. . . and their badges were not pasted to their foreheads.;<
Reminds me of a Bill Cosby line about the British losing the coin toss in the Revolutionary War: "You guys must wear red, and march in a straight line."
This is what happens when the people elect a stupid Democratic bureaucrat like...ooops...never mind.
Disinformation...?
The President needs to demand the resignation of Norm Mineta immediately.
How about you rely on the good judgement of the guy who you allow on a crowded aircraft with a loaded gun. If he can be trusted to know when to shoot in a pressurized aircraft, he can be trusted to dress himself in the morning.
Affirmative.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.