Airlines seek to move air marshals from first class

[DieselDragRacer]

http://www.usatoday.com/travel/flights/2010-10-18-air-marshals-first-class_N.htm

 

[Tweaker]

Can anyone recall an instance in which an airline management team did not fight tooth and nail a single safety related procedure when it affected the bottom line?

This is the only legitimate reason I have left for defending unionism as it relates to the airline industry. Sadly, a toothless, hoarse barking, old flea bitten dog is what ALPO has been for years. When was the last SOS? What percentage of current pile its even know what this stands for?

 

[mamba20]

Can anyone recall an instance in which an airline management team did not fight tooth and nail a single safety related procedure when it affected the bottom line?

This is the only legitimate reason I have left for defending unionism as it relates to the airline industry. Sadly, a toothless, hoarse barking, old flea bitten dog is what ALPO has been for years. When was the last SOS? What percentage of current pile its even know what this stands for?

Post of the year. The only time airlines care about safety is when the cost of a lawsuit exceeds the cost of being safe.

 

[mamba20]

I didnt even need to read the article before my first post on this thread, but after being curious I did read it. What piss poor argument they are making!!! Their argument is akin to saying "I'm not going to brush my teeth because I'm just going to eat again"

 

[BobbyBiplane]

FCK em. I can't ride in FC, why should rent-a-cops.

I have no use for this program and less for the BS around reduction of civil rights.

They should not be on aircraft in the first place. Put them in the lav.

Bob

 

[Raoul Duke]

no kidding, like anyone is going to get through a reinforced cockpit door. They should be in coach in middle seats. These are the same rent a cops that have left their guns in cabins and generally added nothing

 

[bigsky]

Cant get through reinforced doors????? how often do you see the proper door procedures applied? I see flight attendants leave the door swinging open all the time while they are grabbing a coffee refill...the door only works when its locked.

 

[densoo]

It sounds like the whole issue came up because a flight they were working got cancelled and they were basically trying to non-rev. They didn't want to ride in coach (who does) and so they listed in working status to get first class seats. The airline had enough and said no.

This is no different than the FED who takes the jumpseat for a "line check" during the peak travel seasons so that he can go visit his family in another state. Bumps all other jumpseaters. Guaranteed travel. Except this doesn't cost the airline revenue, it just bumps legitimate jumpseaters from getting to work.

I think they just got caught speeding and are now trying to get out of the ticket.

 

[WMUSIGPI]

In my experiences, about HALF the first class seats domestically are given away to people with frequent flyer cards. Heck I'd be willing to bet a significant portion don't even fly much but just buy EVERYTHING they can with those credit cards that add to their FF status. The flight I came back on when I checked in had 17 requests for FREE upgrade with 6 of 16 seats available (B-738 SLC to DTW) And the shorter the route the more likely the seats are given away free.

 

[gutshotdraw]

In my experiences, about HALF the first class seats domestically are given away to people with frequent flyer cards. Heck I'd be willing to bet a significant portion don't even fly much but just buy EVERYTHING they can with those credit cards that add to their FF status. The flight I came back on when I checked in had 17 requests for FREE upgrade with 6 of 16 seats available (B-738 SLC to DTW) And the shorter the route the more likely the seats are given away free.

Buying something with the airline credit card or double-dipping Hilton points onto an airline account only adds points for use. They DO NOT count toward your status. Only actual flights or segments "qualify" for status. And those people that are given upgrades "free" are your best customers that pay the freight every day knucklehead.

 

[Raskal]

I haven't heard this many ignorant comments since...oh, my last visit to FI.

There is a lot of information being left out of this conversation and those whining about the FAM's in first obviously have no idea what they're talking about...how did a bunch of FA's get on this board anyway?

 

[mamba20]

Where were at least 2 of all the 9/11 hijackers on each flight seated? Thats right! First class! Personally I like having the FAM's back there.

 

[densoo]

Whoever is in charge of these air marshalls obviously picked the wrong week to stop smoking.

Washington (CNN) -- Two U.S. air marshals who arrested the wife of a Brazilian judge on a flight to Rio de Janeiro -- and were themselves arrested and had their passports confiscated by Brazilian authorities -- fled the country using alternate travel documents rather than face what they believed to be trumped-up charges, sources said.

The incident has impacted air marshal operations on flights to Brazil, officials said, and air marshals contacted by CNN said the case raises questions about Brazil's willingness to support future law enforcement actions by U.S. officials on international flights.

The incident occurred on October 1 on Continental Flight 128 from Houston, Texas, to Rio de Janeiro. During the flight, a female passenger who appeared to be intoxicated tried to serve herself drinks by going to the plane's galley, one source said. The plane's crew asked air marshals to intervene, and two marshals approached the woman, who began struggling with them.

Two sources said the woman bit one of the air marshals, and she was handcuffed and placed under arrest.

At the Rio airport, the air marshals went to turn over the woman to local authorities but were themselves brought before a federal judge and charged with misdemeanor counts of assault, sources said. Brazilian authorities took the air marshals' passports, so they could not leave the country and set a court hearing for the following week, sources said.
"They (Brazilian officials) did not want them to leave. They were not free to go," one U.S. law enforcement source said.

But the air marshals used alternate travel documents and quietly departed the country on a commercial flight that same day without the knowledge of the Brazilian court officials who had sought their detention.

http://www.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/americas/10/21/us.brazil.air.marshals/index.html?npt=NP1

 

[densoo]

Also, must be nice to have "alternate travel documents" in a pinch. The pilots arrested in South American for that midair collision spent some time in jail and were lucky to get out of there.

First Class seats, alternative travel documents? What is this? The Bourne Identity?

 

[FmrFreightDog]

Also, must be nice to have "alternate travel documents" in a pinch. The pilots arrested in South American for that midair collision spent some time in jail and were lucky to get out of there.

First Class seats, alternative travel documents? What is this? The Bourne Identity?

JC... I hope you don't actually fly commercial aircraft for a living.

 

[JAFI]

This is no different than the FED who takes the jumpseat for a "line check" during the peak travel seasons so that he can go visit his family in another state. Bumps all other jumpseaters. Guaranteed travel. Except this doesn't cost the airline revenue, it just bumps legitimate jumpseaters from getting to work.

121.581 Observer's seat: En route inspections.
(a) Except as provided in paragraph (c) of this section, each certificate holder shall make available a seat on the flight deck of each airplane, used by it in air commerce, for occupancy by the Administrator while conducting en route inspections. The location and equipment of the seat, with respect to its suitability for use in conducting en route inspections, is determined by the Administrator.

Sounds legitimate to me......

 

[densoo]

Sounds legitimate to me......

Legitimate individual, yes. Legitimate purpose for taking jumpseat, no.

 

[JAFI]

Legitimate individual, yes. Legitimate purpose for taking jumpseat, no.

The jumpseat is required to be there under Part 25 (aircraft certification) and in the old CAR regulations for the "Use by the Administrator...". Part 135 and Part 121 also have the requirement.

Do you think if this requirement was not there the airlines would pay to have the seat installed and maintained just for your use to go to work? Highly unlikely that management cares.

Every Enroute Inspection must be pre approved by the Inspector's Supervisor - later audited and reviewed by HQ. When I go on vacation, I drive a car or buy a ticket.

 

[Raoul Duke]

get a Conch Republic passport. they are available online and are regularly used outside the US.