The Bush administration's new air marshall rule concerning foreign carriers, which I view at worst as a shakedown operation and at best a thumb-in-the-eye, is going to lead to yet another worldwide fracas. Observing the rule, which can be applied at the whim of Mineta or Ridge, is going to be very costly to both foreign governments and airlines.
The British Air Line Pilots Association has issued a communique urging pilots for commercial air carriers worldwide to refuse to fly with armed agents on board pending an emergency meeting of the International Federation of Air Line Pilots' Associations to review the situation.
BALPA has already issued the following demands to the British government concerning Police Air Marshalls (PAM):
- PAMs will be identified to the flight crew
- PAMs will be considered part of the operating crew complement.
- Flight crew will reserve the right to refuse to fly a route that is so hazardous that PAMs are required.
- PAMs must be fully trained in airline security and a member of an existing national police force or law enforcement agency.
- PAMs must observe all rules governing the flight crew.
- Flight crew is held free of liability associated with any onboard incident.