The Federal Air Marshal Service is a sensational program that steals revenue from airlines, first class upgrades from frequent flyers, makes our ticket prices higher, and actually endangers our security. Under the guise of safety, a small number of flights carry a poorly-trained, incognito (read: obviously) armed federal agent positioned to intervene in case of a terrorist threat even though reinforced cockpit doors neutralize any threat to the integrity of the cockpit.
So a loser named David Maldonado, a federal air marshal, was onboard a flight and seated in first class. A FA spills a pre-departure beverage on him and he claims she “responded by laughing sarcastically and walking away without apologizing … or offering to clean the spill” in his lawsuit. And no, I don’t believe the FA laughed (though judging by what we know about this guy, perhaps it was warranted).
But he was not just angry because of the pre-departure beverage gone wrong.
He also didn’t get his meal choice!
Yes, when the FA came to him there was only beef left.
So now Maldonado is angry and approaches the cockpit, demanding to speak to the captain and warning him that he is going to have to report to “TSA’s Mission Operation Center in Washington, D.C” that he was not being shown proper respect.
And then you just have to applaud the way the caption responded:
“Are you mad? Because I don’t want a mad person with a gun on my plane,” the captain said, according to the suit.
“I didn’t serve 21 f—–g years in the military being shot at so that you can threaten me with a phone call!” the captain said, according to court papers.
Maldonado made good on his threat, but the captain barred him from getting back on the plane.
Love it. Maldonado didn’t.
And then Maldonado was suspended for seven days by his own organization who decided he acted inappropriately, but he is still suing his organization, claiming others would not have been punished in a similar way. All of the above is detailed in his lawsuit.
Perhaps he didn’t have luck with prostitutes like his co-workers.
I post this half-heartedly, but this is a serious issue. The nerve of this man is unbelievable and while I am confident he will be laughed out the court, his “plight” exposes just how obscene the federal air marshal program is.
Here’s the bottom line — we don’t need this program, it does not make us safer, and it actually endangers us. As the captain said, do you really want a mad, poorly-trained person on your flight with a firearm? I say no way.
So it’s even worse than this. He isn’t actually suing because a flight attendant spilled a drink on him and he didn’t get his meal choice. He’s explaining the context for his power trip. He’s suing because he was suspending for 7 days and he argues that other similarly-situated FAMs would not have been, so it’s discrimination.
Putting a hothead with a gun back on a plane after this incident is indictment of the FAM service enough.
But suggesting that most FAMs wouldn’t even have been disciplined at all? More frightening still.
Gary, thanks for the clarification!
The captain didn’t say he was poorly trained…. 😉
Matt it really looks like you have a personal gripe against this guy and Air Marshals in general , how would you know these things , commenting about “ prostitutes “ and poor training ? How would you supposedly know the inner workings ? We’re you dating one of these guys ?
Matt if no one ever even heard about Air Marshals they could conclude one thing from your article , and that’s this : you have a personal issue against them , they either kicked you out of first class and your white privileged ass couldn’t enjoy your momosasa and shrimp cocktail or maybe an Air Marshal or cop had their way with your girlfriend or boyfriend . The bottom line is that you have demonstrated more than anything a personal bias against this guy whom is suing and the agency . But yes , law enforcement and security should all be eliminated and replaced by guys like you , you will protect the public st 30,000 feet by prob hiding in the bathroom with your warm nuts and Diet Coke .
Stop defending the indefensible and spare me your self-righteousness. Thanks.
Of course , it’s a good thing you were there with your almighty pen.