AIR RAGE (Michelle Malkin on Air Marshall dress code.)

Michelle Malkin.com ^ | December 23, 2004 06:13 AM | Michelle Malkin

[Anti-Bubba182]

No, I don't think so. Michelle is talking to the previous point:

"I first saw your column in our field office today and it was like an early Christmas gift for everyone. We were running around like kids at a toy store. Your article was finally one to the point...You may save a few lives with your words and with that my family and I thank you. We are Patriots, please don't forget us."

[Enterprise]

His preoccupation is the mark of a typical petty bureaucrat, not the mark of a leader. It is safer to browbeat one's subordinates than to give them winning strategies to defeat terrorists. God in heaven save us from such pinheads.

[henderson field]

TSA dress code?
You forgot the swastika arm band.

[Sola Veritas]

If they are not going to let Air Marshall's dress appropriately for the situation. Meaning that they maintain an undercover stance. Then, they would be better off to have them uniformed and clearly visible. High profile can be a great deterent.

However, since there aren't enough air marshalls to be on every flight, then high profile is not a viable option. They have to be undercover. That way no one, terrorists especially, will know when and where an air marshall will be.

Did read one good piece of news today. The TSA is finally stopping the draconian breast fondling - yes, I know I am greatly exagerating.

[garjog]

"The end result has been a 3.7 billion dollar boondoggle"

I think that is the first time that this figure, 3.7 billion dollars, has been revealed. That sounds rather high. Glad that the government is devoting the resources to defends us, but the "kill me first" dress code seems to defeat the purpose of the whole program.

Tin Foil Thought: What if this is all just disinformation to confuse and trap the enemy? Let say that we know that they enemy is watching for FAMs on airlines. But, we trick them, right, by letting it be known that FAMs have to dress like dorks. All the while, the REAL FAMs are dressed in drungy sweat pants and sneakers, ready to kill at a moment's notice?

Evidence for the above theory: Why else would the program cost 3.7 billion unless elaborate tactics like this were being employed?

About two years ago I too remember seeing a guy on a flight from to Denver to Seattle who I figured must be a FAM. I could tell by his professional dress, but also that he had a military hair cut and looked really fit, like a special ops officer. He also was the last to leave the airplane and seemed to be familiar with the stewardesses.

[pacpam]

You fly how often and whose crass are you talking about? The first class passengers I've seen as I pass by on the way to the back have no dress code and most certainly sweatshirts are evident.

As a non-rev I was never bumped up and still had to dress up to travel by the airline rules. Sad part is that I still dress that way even when I buy a ticket - it was how I was raised.

I ask in all seriousness - whose ego are we stroking by making the Air Marshalls stick out like sore thumbs?

[grey_whiskers]

Evidence for the above theory: Why else would the program cost 3.7 billion unless elaborate tactics like this were being employed?

Never overestimate the ability of the Federal Government to waste money.

There's two old jokes on the topic.

JOKE ONE:

Three little boys are at school, talking about what they will do when they get home.

Boy one: "I just watch TV until my dad gets home at 5:30. He works in an office until 5:00."

Boy two: "I got you beat. My dad's a policeman. He turns on the lights and siren on the police car on the way home to beat traffic. He gets off work at 5:00 but gets home at 5:15!"

Boy three: "I got you both beat. My dad works for the government! He gets off work at 5:00 and he's always home by 4:00."

JOKE TWO:

Q. How many people work for the Social Security Administration?
A. About half of them. (ba-da-BUM!)

[MeekOneGOP]

bump!!

[Hodar]

As a non-rev I was never bumped up and still had to dress up to travel by the airline rules.

I ask in all seriousness - whose ego are we stroking by making the Air Marshalls stick out like sore thumbs?

You answered your own question. As long as the airlines have the dress code for non-revenue passengers in first class; the Air Marshals should be required to meet the dress code.

I don't think we'd argue that First Class is a strategically better place for an Air Marshal to operate. This places him ideally for protecting the cockpit, as well as allowing him room to maneuver. A great deal of passengers are businessmen, whom are wearing sports coats, shirts and ties. This dress code for Air Marshals will allow them to blend in with the general business-class; while simulataneously providing camoflage for his sidearm. If you don't know who the Air Marshal is, it makes it harder on the bad guys; which is what we all want.

Now, I'm a silly engineer, and rarely wear suits; in fact I don't think that I have a suit that still fits. However, if my job required that I dress in a suit, and given my earnings as an engineer; I'd wear the suit and quit whining.

Since when has dressing like a slob while on the job been a 'Right'?

[pacpam]

Since when has dressing like a slob while on the job been a 'Right'?
------

It's called blending in and is not deemed a right. I still ask whose ego are we stroking because at no time has any airline required Air Marshalls to adhere to a non-rev dress code. And where in your reading did you decipher that Air Marshalls sit in first class? And don't say it's logical because the whole thread is about lack thereof.

[Hodar]

I still ask whose ego are we stroking because at no time has any airline required Air Marshalls to adhere to a non-rev dress code.

Do you KNOW this, or are you simply saying this? I know that non-revenue passengers MUST comply with this rule; and as Air Marshals are non-revenue generating, a dress code would be expected. I don't know about every airline, but I do know that Alaska and Delta have dress codes for non-revenue generating passengers.

Dress codes for a given profession are nothing new. In some professions, it helps observers differentiate job functions. IF the bad guys expect Air Marshal's to be wearing a sportsjacket; then every businessman in a suit (and there are A LOT of them) is a potential Air Marshal.

When you are speeding down the road, do you hit the brakes every time you see a car that 'LOOKS' like a police cruiser, or every time you see a car? Decoys have their place.