Air Marshal Injuries Skyrocket

More trouble at the Federal Air Marshal Service: the Washington Times reports today that the size of the air marshal force has been cut in half because almost 2,100 marshals have suffered on-the-job injuries. Those injuries include ruptured eardrums, sinus conditions requiring surgery and deep vein thrombosis, a disease associated with long periods of sitting that causes blood clots, usually in the legs. Marshals now fly an average of four flights a day for five days in a row, then get two days off. Last year, the Air Marshal Service budgeted $3 million for workers' compensation, but spent $6 million. This year, the agency has already spent $7 million.