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Airing marshal problems
Josey1
Member Posts: 9,598 ✭✭
Airing marshal problems
By Ted Langc 2002
Published 08. 17. 02 at 21:22 Sierra Time
xx
On the heels of reports citing major delays with air travel security initiatives, yet more difficulties are beginning to surface. Delays with the air marshal and the explosive-detection system [EDS] electronic baggage monitoring programs, as well as the loss of law enforcement officers in numerous federal agencies due to the many transfers to the Transportation Security Administration, are beginning to mount up to a disturbing array of anti-terrorist inefficiencies. Yet more problems are rumored and are now beginning to surface regarding the air marshal program.
Unofficial sources have indicated that several job-related problems are plaguing the accelerated air marshal recruitment and training program. Back in June, the number of air marshals stood at around 2,000, and while the targeted number of marshals planned remains confidential, the current number stands at around 5,000.
In spite of the seeming success attributable in getting the marshal service quickly up to strength, 5,000 federal air security guards distributed over 429 American airports with 35,000 daily flights is not very reassuring as an effective deterrent or preventative measure against terrorism. And considering that marshals work in groups of two or three, this would serve to provide coverage for a maximum of only 2,500 flights against a daily total of 35,000. Presently, that coverage accounts for only seven to eight percent of all flights.
Estimates of air marshal salaries range from approximately $30,000 to a high of $80,000, the latter applying only to the most experienced as well as to those of supervisory rank. But these numbers do not include fringe benefit dollars, which are roughly two-thirds of a federal employee's regular base pay. That would put the annual compensation plus benefits cost range at around $50,000 to $133,600 per air marshal.
Currently, it is rumored via unofficial sources that 80 air marshals have resigned. Disgruntled former agents and agent trainees are citing "working conditions" and other factors. Some have taken exception to the dress code, which mandates that all marshals wear business attire. Some marshals argue that this dress code will identify them as federal agents, and could defeat the undercover aspect of their jobs thereby putting both themselves and the flying public at risk.
Other complaints involve the rigors of the marksmanship training program. Some agents insist that firearms training is too difficult and ambitious, and qualification as being unrealistic and too difficult. There is no information at this time as to how these problems will be resolved.
The TSA, FAA and the Transportation Department have all heatedly resisted arming airline pilots as a last line of defense in securing cockpits. President Bush has made his objections to the armed pilots program known. Bullet and grenade-proof reinforced cockpit access doors have finally been designed to overcome the technical problems of cabin/cockpit pressurization.
But these reinforced cockpit doors come at a cost of about $50,000 each, and are not a welcomed expenditure increase for the already financially-strapped airlines. Last week, USAir initiated Chapter 11 bankruptcy procedures, and United Airlines indicated revenue reductions necessitating expense reductions. Expense reductions are already underway at American Airlines, the nation's largest carrier, which indicated 7,000 employees would be laid off.
c 2002 SierraTimes.com (unless otherwise noted) Your http://www.sierratimes.com/02/08/18/ar-tedlang.htm
"If cowardly and dishonorable men sometimes shoot unarmed men with army pistols or guns, the evil must be prevented by the penitentiary and gallows, and not by a general deprivation of a constitutional privilege." - Arkansas Supreme Court, 1878
By Ted Langc 2002
Published 08. 17. 02 at 21:22 Sierra Time
xx
On the heels of reports citing major delays with air travel security initiatives, yet more difficulties are beginning to surface. Delays with the air marshal and the explosive-detection system [EDS] electronic baggage monitoring programs, as well as the loss of law enforcement officers in numerous federal agencies due to the many transfers to the Transportation Security Administration, are beginning to mount up to a disturbing array of anti-terrorist inefficiencies. Yet more problems are rumored and are now beginning to surface regarding the air marshal program.
Unofficial sources have indicated that several job-related problems are plaguing the accelerated air marshal recruitment and training program. Back in June, the number of air marshals stood at around 2,000, and while the targeted number of marshals planned remains confidential, the current number stands at around 5,000.
In spite of the seeming success attributable in getting the marshal service quickly up to strength, 5,000 federal air security guards distributed over 429 American airports with 35,000 daily flights is not very reassuring as an effective deterrent or preventative measure against terrorism. And considering that marshals work in groups of two or three, this would serve to provide coverage for a maximum of only 2,500 flights against a daily total of 35,000. Presently, that coverage accounts for only seven to eight percent of all flights.
Estimates of air marshal salaries range from approximately $30,000 to a high of $80,000, the latter applying only to the most experienced as well as to those of supervisory rank. But these numbers do not include fringe benefit dollars, which are roughly two-thirds of a federal employee's regular base pay. That would put the annual compensation plus benefits cost range at around $50,000 to $133,600 per air marshal.
Currently, it is rumored via unofficial sources that 80 air marshals have resigned. Disgruntled former agents and agent trainees are citing "working conditions" and other factors. Some have taken exception to the dress code, which mandates that all marshals wear business attire. Some marshals argue that this dress code will identify them as federal agents, and could defeat the undercover aspect of their jobs thereby putting both themselves and the flying public at risk.
Other complaints involve the rigors of the marksmanship training program. Some agents insist that firearms training is too difficult and ambitious, and qualification as being unrealistic and too difficult. There is no information at this time as to how these problems will be resolved.
The TSA, FAA and the Transportation Department have all heatedly resisted arming airline pilots as a last line of defense in securing cockpits. President Bush has made his objections to the armed pilots program known. Bullet and grenade-proof reinforced cockpit access doors have finally been designed to overcome the technical problems of cabin/cockpit pressurization.
But these reinforced cockpit doors come at a cost of about $50,000 each, and are not a welcomed expenditure increase for the already financially-strapped airlines. Last week, USAir initiated Chapter 11 bankruptcy procedures, and United Airlines indicated revenue reductions necessitating expense reductions. Expense reductions are already underway at American Airlines, the nation's largest carrier, which indicated 7,000 employees would be laid off.
c 2002 SierraTimes.com (unless otherwise noted) Your http://www.sierratimes.com/02/08/18/ar-tedlang.htm
"If cowardly and dishonorable men sometimes shoot unarmed men with army pistols or guns, the evil must be prevented by the penitentiary and gallows, and not by a general deprivation of a constitutional privilege." - Arkansas Supreme Court, 1878