Yesterdays paper article had an interesting article in it about Federal Air Marshals. They also followed up with commentary on CNN. The news was negative. They was showing negative stories about criminal incidents involving air marshals over the past couple of years. They had incidents of marshals smuggling drugs while using their security clearance. Some were drunk driving incidents, & even one attempted murder case. After viewing the news report you could easily come with the view that air marshals are a bunch of undiscipline agents with guns.
However, in my opinion the news media couldn't be further from the truth. I think Federal Air Marshals are an elite law enforcement bunch that you should feel proud, & confident that they will keep you safe while flying. Air marshals does have high requirements to get in. Yes, it is true that they did lowered their standards a little after 9/11 to sure up their ranks. But, they shortly afterwords increase the standards again. You must not forget that air marshals only numbered to 50 prior to 9/11. So after 9/11 they had a lot of catching up to do. Today they are caught up, & their standards are high. To make my point, they were credited to doing a good job in that shooting incident on an American Airlines airplane in Miami about year ago. In that case a disturb men made bogus attempts to blow up the airplane. The marshals didn't know that the man was disturbed. They used restriant, & appropriate amount of force needed to challenge a threat. They shot the man after he wouldn't follow they orders to stop. The marshals were cleared of any wrong doing. Its important to know that these news story were old incidents that was looped & reported already earlier. This news report gives the impression that theres a serious problem with the Federal Air Marshall Program when reality shows otherwise. Similarly, you see this same over sensational news coverage when there is an airplane crash giving mixed messages to passengers rather flying is safe. Don't fall for it.