FAM Problem ?

[Bodhi3047]

... But seriously, I am really upset by this. Is there anything I can do to help change this, as a civilian?

Yes, as a civil protest, we should go on the 1800 news and ask civilian airtravelers to help protect our FAMs and wear a suit when traveling. With 50 other guys in suits, in silent support of the FAMs, I think that could make your working environment that much safer.

We need to get the media involved here. You know there are American patriots out there that care about the men and women who protect us every day. I'm sure you could get at least 12-50 passengers dressed in 'business' attire to take the heat off of the Air Marshals on board. After all, it IS in thier best interest to keep the Marshal safe to do his job.

[Jeff L]

I think they should wear bright yellow t-shirts marked "AIR MARSHAL" to match their propeller hats. </sarcasm>

(If you're going to get fired, might as well do it in style ;) )

[SARDUDE]

Yikes! I'm sorry to see that this is still a more important issue than OPSEC and public safety. I had hoped things would get better after the original USA Today stories broke.
I did my time as a uniformed officer, and adhered to the dress code. Yes, if you are hired for a job and told ahead of time of assanine policies, then you made your bed. Unfortunately, this was not the case for most of the FAMs. This brilliant policy came along after the program was up and running, and is in many's opinion a power play by Mr. Quinn.It is dangerous and counterproductive. Many a day I flew on a Southwest flight to or from San Diego or Vegas, and spent the first 20 minutes answering all of the passengers questions about being a FAM. Being the only doofus wearing a sportcoat on a plane full of shorts and Hawaiin shirts makes you fairly easy to identify!
I feel your pain intheaircop!

[Sleuth]

When we had a boss who demaned ties, we struck back by having a weekly 'ugly tie' contest. I still have the all time winner, a blochy green and yellow thing that I NEVER wear. After 5 weeks, the tie policy died a silent death.
In 1970, I was detailed as a 'sky marshal'. In those days, lots of folks wore suits on planes. I carried my gun under my shirt, and took off my jacket as soon as I was seated.
Unlike the military, FAM's need to blend in. GI's are ordered to wear helmets and armor as protective gear. For a FAM, blending in is an officer safety issue.

During my time with the Gov., I had some sucess by presenting issues under the mandated 'health & safety' program. In this case, submitting a suggestion which includes the catch phrase "officers are being subject to conditions that could be hazerdous to their health and safety' direct to OPM might help. Add suporting documentation from the UC courses offered by FLETC and the various agencies (ATFE, DHS). Since they are 'undercover', it would make their policy look bad. It looks like their only other recourse is through their elected offcials.

[MOCOP]

Okay I can agree to an extent with the it's policy argument. But if the FAM is the only guy on the aircraft in a suit then WTF. It defeats the purpose of blending in.

[intheaircop]

I was asked by a passenger sitting next to me why I was wearing a suit on Christmas day. I replied that I was a jew and that I was on a business trip. He laughed so loud that everyone on the plane was looking at us. He said that I should find a better story or just tell the truth. I said to him,What do you mean? He said, I know you are a Air Marshal. I them told him to call my director and tell him.

[FotoTomas]

In March I have a couple of family events to attend that requires air travel. I will not be armed on the flight but I will be wearing a dark suit!

[tunlrat]

intheaircop/ SARdude:
Can't you guys just like, wear the sport coat when boarding & de-planing? I'm curious, how can anyone (the "higher-ups") tell once you're in the air whether or not you're wearing the suit & tie?

That reminds me of a "policy" that my former District major had. We were supposed to always wear seatbelts & have our pilot lights on all the time while in our patrol cars. Okay, I see the seatbelts happening but no one wanted to be a bright blue moving target in the dark--officer safety. Basically, we only buckled up & turned on the lights when we pulled in & out of the station. Not ever sure what happened to that policy; it probably died a slow death.