Five percent, and decreasing. From the Washington Times, with thanks to Jeffrey Imm:
"They are flying on a relatively limited number of flights due to availability," said Capt. Stephen Luckey, chairman of the national-security committee of the Air Lines Pilots Association, which represents 64,000 pilots.The number of federal air marshals who protect planes from terrorist attacks is classified, and the Department of Homeland Security has refused to discuss it.
The sources said they are confident that terrorists already know the numbers based on open-source documents that can be found on the Internet, ongoing surveillance in airports and aboard planes, and in news reports.
At their request, information about specific flights or airports has been withheld.
Speaking on the condition of anonymity, the marshals, pilots and retired executive say there are fewer than 3,500 air marshals to protect 35,000 daily flights. Taking into consideration time off for sick leave, vacation and training, the sources say only 500 to 1,000 flights per day are protected.
Article states:
"The number of federal air marshals who protect planes from terrorist attacks is classified, and the Department of Homeland Security has refused to discuss it.
The sources said they are confident that terrorists already know the numbers based on open-source documents that can be found on the Internet, ongoing surveillance in airports and aboard planes, and in news reports. "
root out the inside al-queda operatives overseeing the databases, and everything will work fine?
Why is DHS putting this one out in the first place?
I am convinced that the people at the Department of Homeland Security are a bunch of idiots!
What the hell are they securing,only 10% of all flights have armed air marshals.
Looks like its time for 911-2
We all know there can't be an air marshall on every flight, this is why all the other measures - such as securing cockpits - need to be taken to prevent hijackings.
Well, few of us are going to feel confident about taking a plane flight. What are passengers supposed to do DIY tackle Terrorist Hijackers??
Consider this is leaving U.S open to another 9/11 of much worse magnitude. So much for all the promises of security,eh!
What amazes me is ...why make this information available in the public domain. Don't forget that muslims die at 30, 000ft too.
If only a fraction of the flights are air-marshalled ...then keep this info quiet.
A couple of suggestions that would stir up the hornets nest - arm all non-muslim US pilots (that should give the pc crowd & lawyers kaniptions!), including the ones who hitchhike rides in the cabin on most flights. Most are former military who have had formal weapons training, the ones that aren't can be provided with the needed training prior to flight as part of the crew. This would free up the air marshalls for duty on flights of foreign airlines (& foreign pilots!) making multiple stops throughout the US. Another possibility, & one I'm sure would get the lawyers & civil rights group torqued up into a frenzy but still worth exploring - is there any kind of harmless sleeping or knockout gas which could be dispensed through the cabin vents in the event of a terrorist takeover attempt?
I am assuming that when they talk about 35,000 flights/day they are including the myriad puddle-jumper flights which (I don't believe at this time) the terrorists aren't interested in. Not enough gas & mass to cause large scale destruction. If so, then the ratio of airmarshalls available for protection on large airliners should be quite a bit better - although still not good enough.
'I am assuming that when they talk about 35,000 flights/day they are including the myriad puddle-jumper flights which (I don't believe at this time) the terrorists aren't interested in. Not enough gas & mass to cause large scale destruction. If so, then the ratio of airmarshalls available for protection on large airliners should be quite a bit better - although still not good enough.' ~ Jim
Jim makes a good point. What is considered 'critical mass' for an airline to be hijacked and used for terror? Anything bigger than a Twin Otter? Bigger? Or are all things open?
If the % were based on the type of planes they might actually use, then more of the Potential flights are being covered than the numbers indicate. Of course, the liberal media loves numbers that misrepresent... especially if it Scares people.
Now you people know that riding on every plane is an impossible task for big brother.
Why dont we try helping ourselves here somehow?
If you were on a plane that was being hijacked would you be looking to the back awaiting the air marshall or could you for the love of Yahweh take action that will count?
My meaning with this is that I, as an American am counting on you where ever YOU are to be paying attention and covering my back as I here in the mid-west am covering.We are in for the long haul and it will take ALL of us to defeat this threat.
"Have You Forgotten"
Chuck,
If I ever find myslef on a flight where someone is acting strange, or makes me feel unfortable, I have no problem telling them to sit their ass in their seet or I will personally kick the crap out of them, or atleast beat them to death with my purse. No sitting in my seat, and quietly waiting to die. No friggin' way.
A few years ago, I lived next to some crazy muslim men, in Charlotte. Long story, but about 14 of them (all between the ages of 20- 40, all male) crammed into a 2 bedroom town home, and were anti social from day one. I witness lots of strange behavior, and resorted to calling the police on them numerous times. They even ran around playing paint ball, similiar to those idiots up in VA. Anywho, my point is, they don't like having a woman cuss them out, which I did regularly. It pisses them off, and I'm sure they have NEVER come up against an irate American woman who is willing to and capable of putting them in there place. I refused to ignore them. I refused to look away when I saw some strange behavior. I went as far as to photograph them and turn it into the poilice. They must have gotten sick of me, because they moved. Don't fear these people. Hate them. Get angry, and dish it back to them. Make sure they know that you're watching them, and don't like their kind. Soon, they will learn that Americans aren't all politically correct zombies. We can, and will kick you ass!
Dear Nassem,
You echoed my utter and complete astonishment at the announcement of our vulnerability in the air, until...out of sheer desperation for a logical explanation My "Pollyanna" (read, eternal optimist) side took over.
I am convinced that the Pilots are working in unison with the Homeland Security (as Pilots could NOT be this asinine) so this must be just a ploy to flush out the terrorists. You know, to give them a false sense of security.
I am convinced that most if not all flights ARE manned by at least one armed air Marshall, to, if nothing else, direct the actions of the Civilian hero’s in the event of an attempt by terrorists to take over the plane.
As long as I am in the Pollyanna mode, I am convinced that tomorrow by some miracle all radical Muslim Imam’s will wake up with a changed nature and begin to preach the sanctity of ALL life and the Rights of Humans to accept whatever (if any) religion they choose in peace and freedom….
Heck, why stop there, How about, that tomorrow all pregnant women will realize that regardless of the reason they are pregnant that the baby they carry is a precious gift from God and there is NO WAY they would do anything to harm or end the pregnancy.
Ahh! Listen to that beautiful music…Hear the children laughing? Feel the warmth of the sun on your brow? Please pass the lemonade? Whatever you do, do not wake me…My self-imposed delusion is so much easier to bear than the frightful, awful truth!
Susan C,
As it is certain you will never be de-throned as the Queen of Sarcasm, may I be your King.
Love your style (slurp!slurp!)