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Return to Article: TSA chief allows air marshals to speak with lawmakers

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  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
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  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
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  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
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  Mess with a flight having a TSO on it and you'll be dead????

  Ususally the use of force rules call for a bit stronger action than "messing with" an LEO (even one on a aircraft).

  What kind of cowboy operation is TSA running?

  Potato Man Posted April 21, 2008 10:35 AM
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  I don't understand the "allow" bit- if congress wants to question an agency employees they should otherwise that agency should justify why not and if not sufficient all funding should be cut until compliance we forget who runs the checking account and its not the executive branch

  mike Posted April 20, 2008 12:13 AM
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  Didn't this same thing happen back in July 2003?

  Wacky Ladcky Posted April 19, 2008 10:30 PM
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  As a former FAM, The lowering of standards puts the public at risk. There is a reason that people are leaving in droves. Bloody idiots are running the asylum.

  Greg Lautigar Posted April 19, 2008 11:28 AM
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  The FAMs that will testify before the committee will be hand picked, like all the other times.

  The reason the agency only has a 6% attrition rate is because they do not rehire or should I say they can't rehire a qualified individual to replace someone who leaves(they keep loosing 6% a year from current numbers). I know that my old duty station numbers are still way down, they have lost 1/3 of the FAMs from original Authorized staffing numbers.

  JAJ Posted April 19, 2008 7:53 AM
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  From what I have seen of the FAM service, they seem to have an agency that has a focus and a defined mission and that seems to be listening to the concerns of their officers and trying to do right by them. As far as former TSA screeners becoming FAMS, everyone has to start somewhere and TSA is a quick way into Fed service for many. If they pass, put them to work. In short, FAMS should count their blessings, at least they no longer work for ICE, which has none of the above.

  Ice Special Agent Posted April 18, 2008 11:47 PM
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  As a former FAM I can not comment on the current flights that are covered. I can tell you that the FAMS is the biggest waste of tax payers money I have ever seen.

  It is all about the numbers!

  Most of your SACs in the field offices are SES, they have to show the out performed there peers to get there twenty thousand plus bonus a year.

  That being said, the have "x" amount of flights that are high risk daily, if those flight do not get covered they are given a bad mark.

  Also "x" percentage of the office must have assigned flights, it does not matter what flight they are on, as long as that percentage is flying.

  The FAMS needs to change they way they do business. It could be a great agency if the good old boy Ex Secret Service buddy system would be broken up.

  The FAMS needs to be PRO active and not reactive. let the agents do their job.

  DW Posted April 18, 2008 10:24 PM
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  Just one more example of the Bush administration running Govt. like a business. The bottom line is saving money.....that is unless you are a contractor in Iraq.

  Retired Air Traffic Controller Posted April 18, 2008 7:23 PM