Easy-to-Spot Air Security Might Be Easy Target

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-marshals31may31,1,7301383,print.story?coll=la-home-headlines

As they settled into first class on American Airlines Flight 1438 from Chicago to Miami, they were supposed to be the last line of defense against terrorists — two highly trained U.S. air marshals who would sit unnoticed among the ordinary travelers but spring into action at the first sign of trouble.

Imagine their chagrin when a fellow passenger coming down the aisle suddenly boomed out, "Oh, I see we have air marshals on board!"

The incident, detailed in an intelligence brief, is an example of something that happens all too often, marshals say. The element of surprise may be crucial to their mission, but it turns out they're "as easy to identify as a uniformed police officer," the Federal Law Enforcement Officers Assn. said in a complaint to Congress.

The problem is not security leaks. It's the clothes.

In an era when "dressing down" is the traveler's creed, air marshals must show up in jackets and ties, hair cut short, bodies buffed, shoes shined.

They let everyone know who they were by discussing their work schedule by yelling to each other from the front to the back of the packed plane.

The guns on both of their sides didn't make them look less conspicuous at all.

...down at the Branch Davidian complex to tell me to watch the news for something big. He said the town was crawling with press and federal agents trying to look inconspicuous.

Does this include heels? Too many conservative business types don't consider a woman's business attire appropriate if she's wearing flats. I can't imagine trying to defend an airplane full of people while wearing pumps.

I'd rather have my air marshals scruffy but anonymous. If they want a clean-cut appearance, perhaps they should look at the typical convention attendee in my industry -- OK, so many of them wear jeans, but those who don't, the uniform is basically khaki pants, loafers, and either a polo or denim shirt with their company's logo on it (this is the unisex look), or, if they don't have logos, a sport coat (sometimes with a tie, sometimes without) for men, and maybe a sweater set for women.

They can beat the crap out of someone with them if need be.

THAT wouldn't attract attention. or maybe the mod squad.