What having a sky marshal really means

"Jack Davis" wrote in message
...

If there is any kind of serious altercation between a terrorist and a
Flight Attendant, the FAM will, as I said earlier, make his own
introductions.


The purpose of an altercation between a terrorist and a flight attendant may
be for the purpose of identifying the marshal to the terrorist by the flight
attendant. It's better if the flight crew doesn't know who the marshal is
or even if one is aboard.

On Wed, 07 Jan 2004 22:51:17 GMT, "Steven P. McNicoll"
wrote:

The purpose of an altercation between a terrorist and a flight attendant may
be for the purpose of identifying the marshal to the terrorist by the flight
attendant. It's better if the flight crew doesn't know who the marshal is
or even if one is aboard.

No, it isn't better for us to be in the dark. If things go to hell it
would be best if we knew who was on our side, especially considering
that some pilots are now carrying as well. It is also for this reason
that the crews need to know the identities and locations of other law
enforcement types as well.

Second, there have already been several cases where the cover of on
board FAMs have been compromised and in none of those case has the
flight crew been implicated or even involved. As is usually the case,
the well-trained and professional FAMs have secured the situation long
before the crews even knew what was happening.

-J

Jack Davis
B-737


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"Jack Davis" wrote in message
...

No, it isn't better for us to be in the dark.


Why would the flight crew need to know who the marshal is, or even if there
was one aboard?



If things go to hell it
would be best if we knew who was on our side, especially considering
that some pilots are now carrying as well.


So that when you leave the cockpit to engage the terrorist you don't shoot
the marshal? Here's a tip: Don't leave the cockpit, don't even open the
door.



Second, there have already been several cases where the cover of on
board FAMs have been compromised and in none of those case has the
flight crew been implicated or even involved.


Fine, but that is not reason for the crew to know the identity of the
marshal.



As is usually the case,
the well-trained and professional FAMs have secured the situation long
before the crews even knew what was happening.


Which demonstrates the crew didn't need to know the identity of the marshal.

On Wed, 07 Jan 2004 23:27:07 GMT, "Steven P. McNicoll"
wrote:

So that when you leave the cockpit to engage the terrorist you don't shoot
the marshal? Here's a tip: Don't leave the cockpit, don't even open the
door.

Thanks for the tip - I'll try to remember that.

Give your brain a chance, boy! Suppose someone calls me on the
interphone and says he's a FAM and starts feeding me some BS about a
"situation"? How do I know for sure unless I've met him/her
previously? Would I be willing to risk the lives of my passengers and
crew on what could possibly be a diversion? How do I really know
what's going on back there? For all I know there could be six
terrorists poised at the door and I could be wasting valuable time
talking to some lying schmuck on the phone. Think about it and tell
me how you would handle the situation.

And, in the unlikely event that an FA has to knock someone in the head
with a fire extinguisher (present company comes to mind) because
he/she feels that another 9-11 style attack is in the works, I'd be
all kinds of ****ed-off if the FA accidentally clocked a FAM and
Abdullah is now free to take over the jet!

And to think my New Years resolution was to stop feeding the trolls...
That's a laugh!

-J

Jack Davis
B-737


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"Jack Davis" wrote in message
...

Thanks for the tip - I'll try to remember that.


No charge.



Give your brain a chance, boy!


That's good advice, you should heed it yourself.



Suppose someone calls me on the
interphone and says he's a FAM and starts feeding me some BS about a
"situation"? How do I know for sure unless I've met him/her
previously?


How do you know what for sure? If the person on the phone is truly a
marshal you have a "situation". If the person is posing as a marshal do you
not also have a "situation"?



Would I be willing to risk the lives of my passengers and
crew on what could possibly be a diversion?


How is the risk increased by not knowing if the caller is truly a marshal?



How do I really know what's going on back there?


You don't. Why would you need to?



For all I know there could be six
terrorists poised at the door and I could be wasting valuable time
talking to some lying schmuck on the phone. Think about it and tell
me how you would handle the situation.


Schmuck or marshal makes no difference, if someone on the phone tells you
there's a "situation" in the cabin then there's a "situation" in the cabin.
Advise ATC that you have a "situation" and divert to the nearest suitable
field. Don't open the cockpit door for anyone, let security forces on the
ground sort out the "situation".



And, in the unlikely event that an FA has to knock someone in the head
with a fire extinguisher (present company comes to mind) because
he/she feels that another 9-11 style attack is in the works, I'd be
all kinds of ****ed-off if the FA accidentally clocked a FAM and
Abdullah is now free to take over the jet!


So what was the marshal doing that caused the FA to believe he was about to
initiate another 9/11 style attack?

On Thu, 08 Jan 2004 18:06:33 GMT, "Steven P. McNicoll"
wrote:

"Jack Davis" wrote in message
. ..

How do I really know what's going on back there?


You don't. Why would you need to?

Oh, I get it now. We'll talk again when you get some PIC time.
Congratulations! You just made it to the Kill file along with the
"Rockaway baby". (Is that you, Bill?)

-J

Jack Davis
B-737


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"Jack Davis" wrote in message
...

Oh, I get it now. We'll talk again when you get some PIC time.
Congratulations! You just made it to the Kill file along with the
"Rockaway baby". (Is that you, Bill?)


No doubt I join many others there who raised questions you could not answer.