Air Marshals' Names Tagged on 'No-Fly' List(You just can't make this stuff up!)

The Washington Times ^ | April 29, 2008 | Audrey Hudson

[kellynla]

Some federal air marshals have been denied entry to flights they are assigned to protect when their names matched those on the terrorist no-fly list, and the agency says it's now taking steps to make sure their agents are allowed to board in the future.

The problem with federal air marshals (FAM) names matching those of suspected terrorists on the no-fly list has persisted for years, say air marshals familiar with the situation.

One air marshal said it has been “a major problem, where guys are denied boarding by the airline.”

“In some cases, planes have departed without any coverage because the airline employees were adamant they would not fly,” the air marshal said. “I've seen guys actually being denied boarding.”

A second air marshal says one agent “has been getting harassed for six years because his exact name is on the no-fly list.”

Earlier this month the agency issued a new security directive (SD) “to address those situations where air carriers deny FAMs boarding based on 'no-fly list' names matches.”

[toddlintown]

Morons.

[Paul46360]

Doesn't suprise me.
I have a friend in the FAA that did aircarft in-flight inspections. A few times the TSA would not allow his work computer through the system. He would prove that he is with the FAA and showed them the orders that he was allowed to carry these items. When he was still not allowed to go through, he then would make a call and have the flight delayed. He would get through after that.

[NonValueAdded]

Wait one ... I doubt we’re talking about John Jones or Fred Smith here. I know it is not PC, but an Air Marshal named Abdul of Ahmed raises a red flag for me. Imagine the agent names that are likely to coincidentally match those to be found on the list. Yeah, the problem is whacked but this does raise other questions.

[xjcsa]

This is just a case of a few coincidences, combined with idiot airline employees not knowing how to handle the no-fly list. The air marshal’s “name” may be on the list, but how many John Smiths are there in the world?

The procedure is then to match birthdate or some other identifying information, and absent that information matching, the person is cleared, usually rather quickly and with a single quick phone call. But all it takes is one or two idiotard counter agents to screw things up. Most counter agents are pretty good, but there are always a few...

[Still Thinking]

Some federal air marshals have been denied entry to flights they are assigned to protect when their names matched those on the terrorist no-fly list, and the agency says it's now taking steps to make sure their agents are allowed to board in the future.

As for you commoners with the same problem, Tough $hit!

[antiRepublicrat]

I know it is not PC, but an Air Marshal named Abdul of Ahmed raises a red flag for me.

So a terrorist is going to do all the things necessary to pass for an air marshal, yet use a name like Abdul Mohammed Jihad on the fake ID?

[happinesswithoutpeace]

Actually, Most of the “No-Fly” mistaken identity complaints I have seen have been for “Fred Smiths” and “John Jones” sounding names.

The No-Fly List is a joke.

[tpanther]

ONLY in America!

We have liberals whining about a president not connecting the dots, but when he does...he’s a racist!

And remember, we had a member of the 101st airborne frag soldiers with a muslim name!

Our enemies know that stupid liberals will allow them to use our own constitution and their PC thinking against us.

[NonValueAdded]

No, that’s not my concern. It is that we’re hiring air marshals named Abdul Mohammed Jihad, arming them, and placing them on aircraft. I said it wasn’t PC but we do have the example of Sgt. Asan Akbar to consider.

[Billthedrill]

Well, of course! Some of those people had been trying to get onto an airliner while armed.

Hey, wait a minute...

[RDTF]

LOL!

[varyouga]

The No-Fly list is a joke and will do NOTHING to stop an attacker with half a brain.

Anyone can get on using any name with a decent fake ID. Bars do more to check for fakes than airports.

[festus]

Well hiring Muhammad Abdul Zareem Skyhook to be a marshall under the diversity program does have its downsides apparently.

[zeugma]

The No-Fly List is a joke.

Of course it's a joke. Everything associated with airport "security" is a  joke and has been for years. THe really funny thing about it, is the mouth-breathing goverment employees don't give a damn. Noone in government gives a damn because they don't have to deal with it. You and I are the only people subject to our insane overseers. I'm disgusted at the nation of unthinking, compliant sheep that this nation has become.

[traviskicks]

Libertarian ping! To be added or removed from my ping list freepmail me or post a message here.

[kbennkc]

When you indemnify private industry from their failures to give passengers the same rights of common carriage security that is owed to melons , and rely on public bureaucracies , this is the result , just as almost every Freeper was able to predict .

[mgstarr]

Of course it's a joke. Everything associated with airport "security" is a joke and has been for years. THe really funny thing about it, is the mouth-breathing goverment employees don't give a damn. Noone in government gives a damn because they don't have to deal with it. You and I are the only people subject to our insane overseers. I'm disgusted at the nation of unthinking, compliant sheep that this nation has become.

Well said.

[zeugma]

Well said.

Thanks. Sometimes when I think about it, I just want to scream.

And start shooting things. :-)

 

AmP 

[steve-b]

Wait one ... I doubt we’re talking about John Jones or Fred Smith here.

The numbnuts at the TSA had Ted Kennedy on the No Fly List (even though it's common knowledge that the main danger from Teddy Boy has to do with water, not air).