'Inch of snow' shuts down air marshals

Washington Times ^ | 01/21/05 | Audrey Hudson

[conservative in nyc]

Hundreds of federal air marshals were grounded and unable to access critical information to pinpoint potential terrorist activity for eight hours on the eve of President Bush's inauguration after snow paralyzed the Mission Operations Center in Washington, said several air marshals and a supervisor.

The marshals said they could not reach the Mission Operations Center (MOC) by telephone to be placed on other flights after hundreds of flights were rerouted because of the snow, and marshals seeking information on reports of a dirty bomb in Boston were unsuccessful.

"They were flying blind," said the supervisor, speaking on the condition of anonymity. "An inch of snow shut down the Federal Air Marshals system's [ability] to gather, receive or request information."

"It basically put the entire aviation security system and flying public at risk because the air marshals were not able to properly do their jobs," the supervisor said.

The supervisor said MOC sent out a message at about 3:30 p.m. on Wednesday that the "system was shut down and they were not answering phones or anything" because they did not have enough staff working.

[conservative in nyc]

That's not good. Washington shuts down whenever there's an inch or two of snow. You'd think the FAM system would realize that, and have a backup facility somewhere less affected by weather. Especially when they are most concerned about flights flying into and out of Reagan National Airport.

[OldFriend]

Is there some reason why the WnTimes feels the need to let the enemy know our vulnerability?

[Arpege92]

"Is there some reason why the WnTimes feels the need to let the enemy know our vulnerability?"

I was thinking the same thing!!!!

[bvw]

"It basically put the entire aviation security system and flying public at risk because the air marshals were not able to properly do their jobs," the supervisor said.

LOL! Sure it did! NOT!

[MKM1960]

Sounds like they have employed a bunch of bureaucrats who decided an inch of snow equals a vacation day. Did it shut down the Metro or the buses. If public transportation is running they have no excuse for not showing up for work. I would think people working in the Air Marshal's' office wouldn't be a bunch of p*ssies. I live in the south I know that most people are not used to driving on snow, but an inch of snow get real. Don't kill the messenger because it told you some freaking bureaucats decided they would take a day off and blame on something else. Hum Washington, D. C. government worker. Start screaming at the workers who decided to take the day off rather than show up for work when nature gave them a dubious excuse.

[night reader]

That's not good. Washington shuts down whenever there's an inch or two of snow. You'd think the FAM system would realize that, and have a backup facility somewhere less affected by weather

Or somewhere better able to deal with weather extremes.

[Alas Babylon!]

I was stationed in DC for 7 years. When a snowstorm hit, many offices closed. But these where the 9-5, Mon-Fri type jobs. We had designated certain jobs/functions as mission critical. Those folks operated 24/7 and had to be at work regardless of outside conditions. I know, I was one of them!

You'd think the Mission Operations Center would be, um.... mission critical.

[Starwolf]

The senior leadership of the FAM has been getting a lot of bad press recently about many things. Seem clueless rather than feckless. Dress code, hours, and retention have been the biggest issues I have seen. Then again, they are bureaucrats, so they are behaving according to type.

[Delta 21]

Good thing the Democrats arent in charge. This might have turned into a natural disaster!

Looks like things went off pretty well yesterday.

[chimera]

Sounds like another good reason to allow pilots to carry firearms. You know they are going to be there. If the plane takes off, there is usually a good chance that there's a pilot aboard, even if the air marshals are not.

[Capriole]

We knew for three days that this "snowstorm" was coming. It wasn't a big shock to anyone. There was no reason for anyone not to show up for work, particularly as it didn't get started until 11 in the morning.

People in Washington are terrified of snow. Why this hysteria should obtain, I don't know. Half the people here are from the north. Even the natives have lived with snow all their lives; it's not as if this was Georgia or Florida, which rarely sees a real snow and might not expect its citizens to handle the white stuff confidently.

[XHogPilot]

Meanwhile, the fed gov continues to drag its heals on needed improvements to the program to arm pilots.