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The head of the Transportation Security Administration Friday expressed complete confidence in the Federal Air Marshal Service and said he will let marshals speak freely to lawmakers.

"The air marshals are a critical part of the [Homeland Security] Department's capability. We are well staffed to cover the critical flights we need," TSA Administrator Kip Hawley said. "I feel highly confident -- as confident as anything that I've been exposed to in the government -- that this air marshal team is ready to go."

Controversy over the service was recently renewed when current and former marshals told CNN that less than 1 percent of commercial flights are being protected.

The air marshal service disputes the figure, but says the exact number is classified. Rank-and-file marshals have feuded with the service's leadership on and off since the service was expanded after the 9/11 terrorist attacks.

A public battle was fought two years ago as air marshals clamored to relax their dress code. Responding to the recent flare-up, House Homeland Security Transportation Subcommittee Chairwoman Sheila Jackson Lee, D-Texas, told Hawley this week she wants to meet with rank-and-file air marshals.

She said she wants Hawley to allow them to speak openly about their concerns. Hawley said Friday he would allow marshals to meet with lawmakers.

"Our folks are not shy," he said. "I think it is great that members of Congress [are] taking the time to talk to our [transportation security officers] or our air marshals."

Hawley said inaccurate estimates on how many flights are covered are either coming from former marshals or active marshals who are not aware of the actual statistics.

"If you got a former employee who's anonymous with a bag over his head guessing at the statistics, I would say [he] is not really credible," Hawley said.

He also defended the management of the service. "There has been a vast open-door policy that has really taken root in the last couple of years. There are people who were bitter from whatever experience somewhere along the line who maybe reflect an older picture." Hawley defended the practice of allowing airport screeners -- formerly called transportation security officers -- to become air marshals.

Some air marshals criticize the practice, arguing that TSOs do not have the necessary law enforcement background. According to TSA, 36 screeners have become air marshals.

"Trust me, you do not want to mess with those guys," Hawley said. "Anybody who messes with a flight having a TSO on it who is now an air marshal will be dead." Hawley added that the air marshal service has a 6 percent attrition rate, which he said is average for a law enforcement agency.

COMMENTS

• I wish lawmakers had as much interest in speaking with those who work for ICE and CBP. Then they could learn what's really wrong with these agencies, and obtain realistic solutions from federal employees who are most knowledgable in this area, because we're the ones who are in the trenches dealing with these problems every day! Then again, this is the government. Why should those in authority do something different, like actually talking to those who really know what's going on? ICEd Posted April 23, 2008 12:55 PM
• The threat of death for "messing" with an air marshall who's a former TSO is very disturbing. I would hope that the air marshalls are being trained to use good judgment in assessing risks, and responding with an appropriate level of force. The approach of shooting first and asking questions later puts everyone at risk. Cecile Posted April 22, 2008 1:03 PM
• Talk about the ultimate job no stress, no arrests sitting in a seat and watching movies. Plus being paid as a LEO with overtime and early retirement, then the have the gall to complain about what they have to wear on the plane...only our vaulted CS would have the audacity to complain Dan ketter Posted April 21, 2008 12:15 PM