Report: Air Marshal Caught Sleeping On Flight

The Indy Channel ^ | 06/08/06 | AP

[Abathar]

DENVER -- Since Sept. 11, 2001, federal air marshals have been traveling on thousands of flights. Their job is to track suspected terrorists and deter anyone who might try to hijack a plane.

But some marshals are concerned about what happened when one of their bosses was reported sleeping on a flight, according to KMGH-TV in Denver.

The concern is about the agent in charge of the Denver office, Tony Hedges. According to a former senior United Airlines flight attendant, Hedges, who was carrying a gun, was sleeping on a flight to Washington, D.C., which made him vulnerable to being disarmed.

The flight attendant informed authorities, but federal officials never investigated.

Airline and federal sources said the incident occurred on an early-morning United Airlines flight in March 2004.

Hedges was sitting in a middle seat near the center of the plane. He was armed, but not working the flight.

Two other working air marshals were in the front of the plane. The head flight attendant on the plane noticed that Hedges was sleeping and went forward to tell the other marshals, according to sources.

The e-mail sent by the head flight attendant said: "Since we require a visual of all (persons carrying firearms aboard) I purposely check on them during the flight. ... If (you're) carrying a firearm, shouldn't you be aware of the environment around you at all times?"

The senior flight attendant, part of the Attendant's Safety and Security Group, was so concerned about the issue that the attendant sent the e-mail to contacts at the Denver Air Marshal's Office.

Sources there told KMGH-TV that the incident was reported to a supervisor, but apparently, it went no further.

Hedges called the incident "a cockamamy lie."

But later, a spokesman in Washington said the agency was not aware of the incident and said it will be fully investigated. The spokesman said any agent traveling with a gun on an airplane must be in control of the weapon at all times and said Hedges claimed that he was in control.

[Abathar]

What a busybody. There were 3 air marshals on the plane, 2 working and one going home. He catches some z's and that is wrong? As long as no one knew he was a marshal and his weapon was concealed I doubt there is much chance of being disarmed, does she think that terrorists can sniff out guns like grilled meat or something?

[mtbopfuyn]

Well, since she probably shook him and said, "Mr. Air Marshall, sir, wake up!" then any terrorist would have known and delayed his plans. All was well in the end.

[white trash redneck]

Strange that he was sitting in a middle seat. It seems to me that it's a lot easier for an AM to get into action, and less likely to accidentally "flash" his weapon getting up to use the toilet, if he sits on the aisle.

Add this to the complaints about the "kill me first" dress code, and it just confirms that there are a bunch of clowns running the FAM program.

[ncountylee]

Actually, I think she has a valid point but don't think that she should have gone public. Not everything needs to be automatically broadcast when a private message might get attention.

[frogjerk]

Good post. She was probably worried that the gun was going to unholster itself and start shooting while the marshal was asleep.

[Psalm 73]

"...was carrying a gun, was sleeping on a flight to Washington, D.C., which made him vulnerable to being disarmed."

Yup, ya' just want to sneak up next to him and try to yank his gun out of the holster - you would be up for a darwin award for that manuever.

[paul51]

The same could be said if they always sat in an aisle seat. Further, the guy was off duty. As far as sleeping while ccw, so what. The flight attendant is a gunphobic ninny.

[paul51]

"Since we require a visual of all (persons carrying firearms aboard) I purposely check on them during the flight

This is the weak link. If anyone wants to know who the AM are, grab the FA.

[Larry Lucido]

Raises an interesting question. Is it a violation of general firearm-handling principles for anyone, police or not, to ever sleep while carrying in public, however controlled the environment? Think about that next hunting trip you go on. Better stay awake the whole time or bring a gun safe with you.

[HighWheeler]

"The flight attendant informed authorities, but federal officials never investigated."

-- --

Because the marshall was OFF-DUTY. This flight attendant needs to be investigated for being a dumbass.

[xpertskir]

"track suspected terrorists and deter anyone who might try to hijack a plane"

I think what they mean by deter is shoot the stupid towel heads before they kill anyone.

[Abathar]

In plain speak I think your right, but the libs have made sure things can't be said like that anymore...

[tophat9000]

You can take this two way...Air Marshal's do have to fly like other people when there NOT WORKING... and people are allow to sleep when their not working...

So do you think it's a good idea to only allow them to carry when they are working?

Better to have an extra NOT WORKING sleeping armed Air Marshal... that can wake up and go to work if needed

Then an extra NOT WORKING awake unarmed Air Marshal... that can't do jack if needed

[VeniVidiVici]

I agree. He should have handed his firearm over to the flight attendant in the middle of the flight for safe keeping.

In full view of everyone, of course.

[Rapscallion]

She was probably worried that the gun was going to unholster itself and start shooting while the marshal was asleep.

Maybe it wasn't a "she" at all. Maybe it was one of those "light-in-the-feet" male attendants with a grudge aginst LEOs. I call it gender hostility.

[RobRoy]

My brother is one of the few NOT "light in the feet" flight attendants.

Talk about a fox in the chicken pen...

[Stat-boy]

Exactly. What a horrible person. Probably the type that calls the local homeowners association when anyone’s lawn is 1/32 of an inch above the approved height.

If she was really concerned (idiot), she could have simply woke the AM up with some excuse, such as “here is your cup of coffee you requested, sir” or something clever, and let it go.

[Atlas Sneezed]

If our overlords are going to get special privileges (carrying a gun when off duty on a free flight), then shouldn't they have special responsibilities?

Whatever happened to "noblesse oblige"?

[IamHD]

The only thing left out of this story is a picture of the air marshall. :( Why name names? Stupid media.

[nonsporting]

At least he didn't leave his weapon in the restroom!