In Flight Security Idea.

[DawnCt1]

Apparently US Air Marshals are not allowed to fly from international airports. Why not offer US Military retired officers and NCO's, free air fare on specific flights. Their training could be updated, security checked and armed with a Taser. They could be seated first so they can get a feel of who is boarding the plane. This would be a low cost effort for security. If they are flying with family members, they should sit separately so as not to be distracted. This wouldn't replace air marshals who are on flights but add another layer of protection. The same offer could be made to police officers, FBI agents, etc.

 

[crazyme5kids]

I agree, great idea.

 

[DawnCt1]

I agree, great idea.

They should be allowed to take one air companion; spouse, friend, etc for free also, not be allowed to use headphones, etc. I think that there is a way to work this out that would add another layer of security.
We are fortunate that the young film director responded the way he did. It could have been a situation where there was no one willing or able to respond and things could have been so much different.

 

[damo]

Hmmm. I don't know. I think if that guy's device had worked the way he wanted it to there would have been no time for anyone to intervene.

Also, I don't know if there would be enough people willing to cover all flights and terrorists would just target a flight without a marshal.

 

[crazyme5kids]

Better yet, they should be able to take a "pretend" companion for free. I'd volunteer .

I've felt this way for a long time though. I think the airlines should have at least four security people planted throughout the plane on each flight.

 

[DawnCt1]

Hmmm. I don't know. I think if that guy's device had worked the way he wanted it to there would have been no time for anyone to intervene.

Also, I don't know if there would be enough people willing to cover all flights and terrorists would just target a flight without a marshal.

How can they target a domestic flight without an air marshal? That is never made known. You don't know if there is one on your flight or not. The purpose is, to insure that there is someone willing and able to respond. When DH retires we can fly for free "Space A" on military planes. Thats fine, we will hopefully be flexible with travel dates, etc, but how convenient it would be if we could fly commercial. If I feel that way, I am sure that there are a lot of retired soldiers with combat experience that would feel the same way.

 

[GeorgeG]

That makes a lot of sense. I watched a program several months ago that showed how regular passengers can work together to take back a hijacked plane with coordination by a passenger with a miltary background, even with multiple hijackers.

One point of interest was that one or two hijackers may sit back waiting to observe and intercept passengers who pose a threat, so it's important to wait for all the hijackers to show themselves, if at all possible.

 

[DawnCt1]

That makes a lot of sense. I watched a program several months ago that showed how regular passengers can work together to take back a hijacked plane with coordination by a passenger with a miltary background, even with multiple hijackers.

One point of interest was that one or two hijackers may sit back waiting to observe and intercept passengers who pose a threat, so it's important to wait for all the hijackers to show themselves, if at all possible.

Also, unlike TSA, many Americans do "profile" in their minds. It would be hard to imagine that a soldier with combat experience wouldn't take note of the "middle eastern type, traveling alone with no luggage or carryone between the ages of 20 and 30.". DH always pays attention to who he shares the plane with.

 

[DawnCt1]

Also, the "failed" explosive device, became an incendiary device with flames 6 ft high so the terrorist could have still brought down the plane without the quick action of the passenger.