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I have heard before the argument against the use of Air Marshals that "What would happen if a terrorist were to gain control of the Marshals weapon?" Now we know. Marshals are traveling in pairs, the second to cover the first Marshals back while he deals with the situation.

I can understand the confusion as a pasenger is taken down by an armed man. Many would want to see. Perhaps others, thinking they were averting a hijacking, would attack the Marshal. Since the Marshals are undercover (to be otherwise would diminish their effectiveness) these sorts of mis-understandings are to be expected.

What if this had been a hijacking? A passenger acts oddly and is subdued by the Marshals who have now revealed who they are. While they deal with the unruly passenger, their backs to the rest of the cabin, they are set upon by 4 or more hijackers. Having your weapon drawn and trained upon the passengers is the only way to ensure control of the flight until it can be put down at the nearest airport and additional security brought in to question the other passengers.

What this judge (and others ) seems to be suffering from is a sense of indignation that THEY were considered a suspect. They miss the point. They individually were not considered a suspect. A single officer can only consider that the entire group be under control as any of them might be an accomplice. This is a war on terrorism, and the rules of engagement have changed. If you cannot accept the possiblity of this happening to you, stay off of airplanes.

The only thing about this story that really disturbs me is that if Air Marshals are travelling in pairs, then their woefully inadequate numbers can only cover half the flights as they might. Another sign pointing out that arming the pilots is the only realistic option.

Now we know. Marshals are traveling in pairs ........as the other two or three "pairs" ect ect remain seated and unknown ? "We" know nothing IMHO and with regards to sky cops and security SOP thats a good thing.

Bad part of this "appears" to be that the sky cops were drawn out into the light by a minor incident which could have been a worm on a hook controlled by a observing terrorist team. Or my spectulation that this could have been a planned display of Yes we really are riding these commercial aircraft dog and pony show, prior to the 9-11 aniversary date.

My point being if this was a serious enough incident to make these guys go guns hot then it "should" have been serious enough to at the very least arrest and detain the alledged problem passenger versus the " Olly Olly in Free" catch an release that is reported to have taken place.

Stay Safe !

"While they deal with the unruly passenger, their backs to the rest of the cabin, they are set upon by 4 or more hijackers. Having your weapon drawn and trained upon the passengers is the only way to ensure control of the flight until it can be put down at the nearest airport and additional security brought in to question the other passengers."

You understand it. You can fly with me anytime.