Federal Air Marshals Service: Crisis In The Sky?
Aero-News reported last week
on a potential crisis at the Federal Air Marshal Service. According
to a Washington Times report, the day-to-day rigors of sitting
for hours onboard commercial airline flights may be taking a
disturbing toll on air marshals... where the size of the force has
been cut in half by on-the-job injuries.
The report adds such injuries have pulled nearly 2,100 marshals
from service -- and worse, bureaucratic bickering may be keeping
them from receiving health and safety benefits.
Shawn McCullers is a former Federal Air Marshal. He's 32-years
old... a very healthy-seeming young man. But if you look at
McCullers' legs... you'll see the scars of deep vein thrombosis, a
medical problem common to frequent passengers on long flights. It's
a problem that can be deadly.
But it's certainly not a problem that Shawn anticipated when he
left the Border Patrol and entered training for the air marshal's
service.
This feature is in addition to our daily news briefing --
available in either a quick "Touch And Go" format, or an expanded
Aero-Briefing -- where you'll hear these stories:
A Mite-y Management Shakeup At Mooney Aircraft...
Pakistan May Get Some Fighters, But Not Without Some
Conditions...
And Fedex Looks At 757s To Replace Aging Planes
...And more.
ANN Daily Touch N Go:
09.27.06 (ANN's Short-Form Daily News
Program)
ANN Daily Aero-Briefing:
09.27.06 (ANN's Long-Form Daily News Program)
ANN Special Feature -- Crisis Looming
At FAMS?: 09.27.06 (ANN Special Feature, with
Senior Editor Pete Combs' report on health issues among
federal air marshals.)
Our DAILY programs consist of (at least) three separate
products.
- ANN's Daily 'Touch & Go' Aero-Cast: A
quick look at the most recent news of the day... short, succinct
and to the point. The usual 'Touch & Go' takes but a few
minutes and is a summary, only, of the day's events... and it only
takes a few minutes of your time.
- ANN's Daily Briefing Aero-Cast: The Daily ANN
Report (ANNRep for short), is a more comprehensive look at the
day's news. We give you the whole buzz... the news and features
that occupy the forefront of aviation news as well as solid
background on the subjects that aviators and other aviation
professionals need to stay informed on.
- ANN's Daily 'ASR' Feature Aero-Cast: Our daily
'Aero-News Special Report' involves a more in-depth view of a story
or two that dominated (or will be dominating) the day's news. Far
more detailed than any single story in our standard ANN Daily
Reports, this is a solid chance to get a close look at the stories
and topics that matter. ASR features may include exclusive
interviews with Aviation's Newsmakers, ANN's Special Investigative
reports and solid analysis of the stories that will have undeniable
impact on the world of aviation and aerospace.
Check them out, let us know what you think and be sure to keep
those news-tips and program suggestions coming... ANN is ALL about
what YOU want to know about in the world of aviation and
aerospace.