LEOs and FAMs and FFDOs oh my!

December 13, 2023
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airline, aviation, captain, cockpit, flight deck, pilot, security

LEOs and FAMs and FFDOs, oh my!

Airline Security in Today's Crazy World

LEOs and FAMs and FFDOs, oh my!

In this post-9/11 world, where terrorist groups around the world—some state-sponsored—actively attack innocent civilians, extra precautions must be taken to ensure safety and security in the skies over the United States.

Enter LEOs, FAMs, and FFDOs.

DISCLAIMER:

ALL information shared in this blog post are from open sources and common knowledge; NO “proprietary” information that could compromise aviation safety will be shared.

At times, I may have to be deliberately vague on data, in order to protect the integrity of airline security.

Throughout the piece, I have provided hotlinks for further reading.

LEOs and FAMs and FFDOs, oh my!

9/11, 2001

On 9/11, 2001, aviation security changed dramatically.

Previously, dealing with hijackers (the “Common Strategy,” as it was called) meant “compliance” with hijackers’ demands, in the hopes of slowly wearing them down until Law Enforcement could intervene.

On 9/11, however, that strategy proved fruitless; the jihadist hijackers were nothing more than mass Homicide Bombers, intent on killing themselves and as many innocent civilians on the ground as possible.

"Let's Roll."

Tod Beamer, United Flight 93

In the case of United Airlines Flight 93, passengers quickly learned of that paradigm shift, and retaliated.

While the airliner went down in Shanksville, PA, killing all aboard, it remains America’s first “retaliation” against a grave new threat.

It has been speculated that Flight 93’s intended hijacked destination may have been Congress, or perhaps the White House.

Passenger Todd Beamer, and the other heroes aboard that day—may they Rest in Peace—prevented that from happening.

LEOs and FAMs and FFDOs, oh my!

LEOs: Law Enforcement Officers

While passengers are prohibited from carrying firearms in the cabin of an airliner, there are procedures for them to be able to check unloaded weapons (such as for a hunting trip) in the cargo hold.

However, per Title 409 CFR § 1544.219, under some circumstances, Law Enforcement Officers may be able to travel armed aboard an airplane. These airborne cops can work for anyone from the local city or Sheriff’s office, to Federal agencies, such as the FBI, DEA, Border Patrol or Secret Service office.

They will always be conceal-carrying, and their weapon will not be visible to other passengers.

While a LEO’s primary mission would not be law enforcement aboard an airplane, they could, in an emergency, come to the aid of a distressed crew.

LEOs and FAMs and FFDOs, oh my!

FAMs: Federal Air Marshals

Conversely, the primary mission a Federal Air Marshal is safety and security aboard an airliner.

FAMs are fully trained by the TSA (Transportation Security Administration, a branch of the Department of Homeland Security.)

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For security reasons, the number of FAMs flying the skies at any given time are unknown. Moreover, FAMs are always undercover, so the person sitting next to you could be one that thwarts the threat aboard your flight.

"A FAM's job is to blend in with other passengers on board aircraft and rely heavily on their training, including investigative techniques, criminal terrorist behavior recognition, firearms proficiency, aircraft-specific tactics, and close quarters self-defense measures to protect the flying public."

Federal Air Marshal

Wikipedia

Below: A good video summarizing the FAM program.

Direct Video Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z3AoeSa8fVg

For further reading, check out:

Facts About Quiet Skies Aviation Security Program

LEOs and FAMs and FFDOs, oh my!

FFDOs: Federal Flight Deck Officers

The Last Line of Defense

FFDOs are pilots already employed at US airlines, who volunteer for the FFDO program.

Similar to FAMs, they are strictly selected, vetted, and then trained and deputized by the TSA.

Their “juris diction” is the the smallest in the world: the airline cockpit.

While they have no powers to arrest, they are trained to use deadly force to protect the cockpit from invasion at all cost.

Again, the actual number of FFDOs are unknown, but the agency says it “numbers in the thousands.” So, chances are pretty good that at least one of your pilots up front is also packing heat.

Below is a decent video report summarizing the FFDO program, and training.

Video Direct Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uVrm750a4HU

Further reading on the subject can be found here, under a decent article by the BBC:

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-43377461

LEOs and FAMs and FFDOs, oh my!

Add KCM to the List

KCM stands for “Known Crew Member.”

According to ALPA (Airline Pilots’ Association):

“The Known Crewmember® (KCM) program…enables Transportation Security Administration (TSA) security officers to positively verify the identity and employment status of crewmembers.”

In short, KCM is a separate line for crew members (pilots and flight attendants) entering an airport, which allows expedited yet secure electronic verification of the employee.

A crew member will show their employee badge, and scan a bar code that accesses the KCM database. Their name, photo, and employment status pops up to be verified by the TSA agent.

Even then, however, some employees will be randomly flagged for extra screening.

LEOs and FAMs and FFDOs, oh my!

Conclusion

Post 9/11, aviation security has dramatically risen to the occasion. Between LEOs, FAMs and FFDOs, odds are very good that your plane is carrying one or more armed individuals trained and ready to thwart any deadly threat.

So, for all you nutbag “lone wolf” hijackers, and wannabe terrorists, it’s best for you not to find out!

LEOs and FAMs and FFDOs, oh my!

Hemisphere Dancing Report

NFL Charter

I recently picked up a domestic trip that turned out to be a charter for the LA Rams. We flew them out to Dallas for their game with the Cowboys.

While we aren’t allowed to gawk and schmooze and ask for autographs with the football stars, it was nevertheless fun to play chauffeur for the day.

By the way, the ‘Boys slaughtered the poor Rams that day!

Find it on eBay

On another flight, I got a glimpse of the 777’s fabled Electronics Bay. Accessed by a trap door near the flight deck, the bay is pretty massive. You can stand up and walk around in it!

High Winds, Cool Lights

Returning from LHR recently, we flew into the core of a jet stream. That in itself is not uncommon; we often plan to “surf” the cores when we can use it as a tailwind. However, this one had about the highest wind I’d ever seen: 180 knots!