# Questions about sky marshalls **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [October 21, 2014, 12:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/questions-about-sky-marshalls/702019 "2014-10-21T12:52:16Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![exile3D](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ecccb3/32.png) [@exile3D](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/exile3D)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2014, 4:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/questions-about-sky-marshalls/702019/21 "2014-10-21T16:31:35Z")
> [@md2000](#): > > AFAIK - the windshield and windows are shatterproof glass, so you’re not going create a massive decompression like we see in the movies with a bullet hole. Even less likely with a hole in the hull. I assume they use lower-velocity bullets anyway that will stop a body but aren’t going to go through several bodies and a few layers of metal. > > Of course, once shots are fired, the aircraft will land at the nearest available airport and be surrounded by SWAT teams, so a minor air leak will not be a major problem. If necessary they can descend to cruise at 12,000 feet until they reach the airport, so that air pressure is not a problem. I see, very interesting. Another thing I just found out: The UK is against air marshals since they discovered that the ground security does not work as accurate when they know an air marshal is on the flight. 😕 Apparently they had a case where they let an african citizen pass although he had ammunition in his bag since they “where sure the air marshals would deal with it” - highly professional 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2014, 4:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/questions-about-sky-marshalls/702019/22 "2014-10-21T16:34:30Z")
> [@Dorjan](#): > > We are not going to do your Jr. Terrorist homework for you, buddy. **Moderator Note** **Dorjän** , whether this is serious or a joke, it’s not appropriate as a first response in GQ. No warning issued, but don’t do this again. Colibri General Questions Moderator ---
**Author:** ![Telemark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/telemark/32/372_2.png) [@Telemark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telemark)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2014, 4:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/questions-about-sky-marshalls/702019/23 "2014-10-21T16:53:50Z")
> [@exile3D](#): > > I see, very interesting. > > Another thing I just found out: The UK is against air marshals since they discovered that the ground security does not work as accurate when they know an air marshal is on the flight. 😕 > > Apparently they had a case where they let an african citizen pass although he had ammunition in his bag since they “where sure the air marshals would deal with it” - highly professional 😃 Do you have a cite for this? It sounds pretty fishy. ---
**Author:** ![exile3D](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ecccb3/32.png) [@exile3D](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/exile3D)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2014, 4:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/questions-about-sky-marshalls/702019/24 "2014-10-21T16:55:43Z")
> [@Telemark](#): > > Do you have a cite for this? It sounds pretty fishy. i hope you understand german [http://www.srf.ch/player/video?id=8a87df6b-aac1-4bcf-8a91-09afd6916e24](http://www.srf.ch/player/video?id=8a87df6b-aac1-4bcf-8a91-09afd6916e24) ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2014, 5:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/questions-about-sky-marshalls/702019/25 "2014-10-21T17:24:34Z")
> [@exile3D](#): > > i hope you understand german > > [http://www.srf.ch/player/video?id=8a87df6b-aac1-4bcf-8a91-09afd6916e24](http://www.srf.ch/player/video?id=8a87df6b-aac1-4bcf-8a91-09afd6916e24) Do you have a cite in English for this? ---
**Author:** ![exile3D](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ecccb3/32.png) [@exile3D](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/exile3D)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2014, 5:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/questions-about-sky-marshalls/702019/26 "2014-10-21T17:30:55Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > Do you have a cite in English for this? I’m sorry I do not…it’s the only link I found ---
**Author:** ![Ranger\_Jeff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ranger_jeff/32/2065_2.png) [@Ranger\_Jeff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ranger_Jeff)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2014, 5:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/questions-about-sky-marshalls/702019/27 "2014-10-21T17:32:09Z")
> [@Reverend\_Meade](#): > > #3 seems safe enough to answer. Sky Marshals are Federal Agents and specifically are part of the Department of Homeland security. As far as I can tell, they are pretty much the only worthwhile part of that agency. That, sir, is an insult to every man and woman in the United States Coast Guard. :mad: ---
**Author:** ![chappachula](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/d2c977/32.png) [@chappachula](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chappachula)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2014, 5:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/questions-about-sky-marshalls/702019/28 "2014-10-21T17:53:37Z")
> [@Loach](#): > > They are hiding in the overhead bins. That’s why it’s so hard to get your carry on in there. We have a winner!!! The thread is over. Although I have always thought that the main purpose of the overhead bins was to hold crying babies. Because you sure can’t get your luggage in there. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2014, 5:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/questions-about-sky-marshalls/702019/29 "2014-10-21T17:57:19Z")
> [@chappachula](#): > > We have a winner!!! > The thread is over. This is not MPSIMS. Not looking for joke answers. ---
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2014, 6:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/questions-about-sky-marshalls/702019/30 "2014-10-21T18:00:11Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > This is not MPSIMS. Not looking for joke answers. **Moderator Note** **DrDeth** , jokes are permitted in General Questions, especially after the first few answers. Let’s not engage in junior modding here. No warning issued. Colibri General Questions Moderator ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2014, 6:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/questions-about-sky-marshalls/702019/31 "2014-10-21T18:04:31Z")
> [@exile3D](#): > > I have a few questions about sky marshalls > > 1. on which flights do they usually serve? mainly flights TO the US? > > 2. are they really carrying guns? What if a terrorist overwhelms one of them? Then he has basically a free ticket to take over the train? > > 3. Are sky marshalls agents or policemen? > > 4. are there always two of them? (or even more?) > > thank you very much (1) They are usually on US domestic flights, and most heavily concentrated on long-haul flights after 9/11 because those aircraft are carrying more fuel (and thus can blow up more things.) (2) Yes. Aircraft aren’t as sensitive to bullets as the media claims. ---
**Author:** ![Telemark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/telemark/32/372_2.png) [@Telemark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telemark)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2014, 6:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/questions-about-sky-marshalls/702019/32 "2014-10-21T18:09:26Z")
> [@exile3D](#): > > i hope you understand german > > [http://www.srf.ch/player/video?id=8a87df6b-aac1-4bcf-8a91-09afd6916e24](http://www.srf.ch/player/video?id=8a87df6b-aac1-4bcf-8a91-09afd6916e24) That’s also from 2004 if I read the headers correctly. But, no, I don’t speak German so I don’t have any way of verifying your claim. Can you provide the names or locations of anyone involved so we can try and track this down? The UK has had air marshalls since 2003 so I don’t think they’re going away any time soon. I haven’t found any other reference to them being out of favor so even if the incident in question happened as described I think the solution would be better processes, not throwing out the baby with the bathwater. ---
**Author:** ![exile3D](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ecccb3/32.png) [@exile3D](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/exile3D)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2014, 6:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/questions-about-sky-marshalls/702019/33 "2014-10-21T18:15:12Z")
> [@Telemark](#): > > That’s also from 2004 if I read the headers correctly. But, no, I don’t speak German so I don’t have any way of verifying your claim. Can you provide the names or locations of anyone involved so we can try and track this down? > > The UK has had air marshalls since 2003 so I don’t think they’re going away any time soon. I haven’t found any other reference to them being out of favor so even if the incident in question happened as described I think the solution would be better processes, not throwing out the baby with the bathwater. if you watch the last few minutes an english person is speaking about the UK…I’m sure you can hear what he says besides the voiceover a bit ---
**Author:** ![Telemark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/telemark/32/372_2.png) [@Telemark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telemark)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2014, 6:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/questions-about-sky-marshalls/702019/34 "2014-10-21T18:25:56Z")
Apparently I can’t play it here at work. But again, it’s 10 years old and there’s no current mention of the problem in the news. If there was a problem (and I’m suspicious that the story is as you’ve represented it) it’s been addressed and things have moved on. I’m not seeing how it’s relevant to this thread. ---
**Author:** ![bob\_2](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bob_2/32/3341_2.png) [@bob\_2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bob_2)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2014, 6:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/questions-about-sky-marshalls/702019/35 "2014-10-21T18:37:09Z")
Armed sky marshals were introduced on British airliners in 2003 in response to fears of a 9/11-style terror attack launched from airports in the UK. Then Home Secretary David Blunkett said the move, which was confined to transatlantic routes, was a ‘proportionate and appropriate response’ to the terror threat against this country. At the time, reports indicated that plain-clothes officers would carry guns firing low-velocity bullets, to prevent one going through the target and piercing the shell of the plane. In all likelihood they would be seated near the cockpit, in first or business class. Passengers are never notified if an air marshal is on their plane, although pilots are told. Neither the airline industry, police nor Government officials will comment publicly on the policy, and since its introduction it has largely been shrouded in secrecy. Other countries are more open about their use of sky marshals. The Israeli national airline, El Al, has had an armed marshal on every flight for more than a decade. And air marshals have been used in the US for more than 30 years. Read more: [Armed air marshals 'patrolled all flights between Gatwick and the U.S. as spooks worked to thwart underpants bomb plot' | Daily Mail Online](http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2141289/Armed-air-marshals-patrolled-flights-Gatwick-U-S-spooks-worked-thwart-underpants-bomb-plot.html#ixzz3Go2PPkWE) Follow us: @MailOnline on Twitter | DailyMail on Facebook ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2014, 7:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/questions-about-sky-marshalls/702019/36 "2014-10-21T19:00:58Z")
This vaguely related copy/paste post has been brought to you by Google. ---
**Author:** ![dstarfire](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dstarfire/32/5762_2.png) [@dstarfire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dstarfire)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2014, 8:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/questions-about-sky-marshalls/702019/37 "2014-10-21T20:13:17Z")
> [@exile3D](#): > > nitpick: i heard that they use guns that can not acutally hurt the planes hull…no idea how this works but they mentioned that in a documentary It’s not that difficult, actually. Bullets intended for use against flesh are often modified to expand (or tumble, shred, etc.) on impact spreading the force over a larger area. This greatly increases the damage to soft targets, but makes them much less effective against metals or strengthened materials (like those designed to contain a breathable atmosphere under various pressure, changing temperatures, and shifting loads). Also, given the close quarters of an aircraft cabin, you can use a much smaller charge without reducing your chances for a lethal hit. Finally, some less-lethal rounds (bean-bags, frangible bullets, etc) would be virtually harmless to an aircraft hull. ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2014, 9:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/questions-about-sky-marshalls/702019/38 "2014-10-21T21:40:27Z")
> [@exile3D](#): > > if you watch the last few minutes an english person is speaking about the UK…I’m sure you can hear what he says besides the voiceover a bit The last few minutes of the video doesn’t contain any English at all. There’s an English man speaking at around the 4 minute mark, but he is all but inaudible behind the German voiceover. All you can hear of his statement is “We have two concerns about sky marshals…” - googling his Name (Jim McAuslan), ‘sky marshals’ and ‘concerns’ brings up several news articles from around the same time as your video. **None of them** support your assertion about ground security taking it easy. McAuslan’s concerns are reported as: “we don’t believe that guns and air travel mix,” (i.e. does adding guns to the situation inherently make it safer - a common UK reaction to weapons) “The commander needs to retain authority over the whole of the aircraft.” (i.e. the pilots need to know if there are sky marshals on board) He is also described as having been concerned at the haste in which the deployment protocols for sky marshals were developed. ---
**Author:** ![Blue\_Blistering\_Barnacle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blue_blistering_barnacle/32/3386_2.png) [@Blue\_Blistering\_Barnacle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Blue_Blistering_Barnacle)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2014, 10:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/questions-about-sky-marshalls/702019/39 "2014-10-21T22:41:59Z")
> [@dstarfire](#): > > It’s not that difficult, actually. Bullets intended for use against flesh are often modified to expand (or tumble, shred, etc.) on impact spreading the force over a larger area. This greatly increases the damage to soft targets, but makes them much less effective against metals or strengthened materials (like those designed to contain a breathable atmosphere under various pressure, changing temperatures, and shifting loads). > > Also, given the close quarters of an aircraft cabin, you can use a much smaller charge without reducing your chances for a lethal hit. > > Finally, some less-lethal rounds (bean-bags, frangible bullets, etc) would be virtually harmless to an aircraft hull. Glaser safety slugs > **[Glaser Safety Slug](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glaser_Safety_Slug)** > > Glaser Safety Slug is a frangible bullet made by Cor-Bon/Glaser, a subsidiary of Dakota Ammo, an American ammunition company formerly based in Sturgis, South Dakota. The Glaser Safety Slug was developed by Jack Canon in 1975, the same year the company was founded by Armin Glaser. > The original round was a hand-made hollow-point bullet filled with No. 12 birdshot (0.05 in (1.3 mm)) with a flat polymer cap. To improve ballistic performance, a polymer-tipped round ball was introduced in 1987, and... ---
**Author:** ![Blue\_Blistering\_Barnacle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blue_blistering_barnacle/32/3386_2.png) [@Blue\_Blistering\_Barnacle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Blue_Blistering_Barnacle)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2014, 10:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/questions-about-sky-marshalls/702019/40 "2014-10-21T22:56:50Z")
Actually, safety slugs in past, now standard hollowpoint. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/questions-about-sky-marshalls/702019.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/questions-about-sky-marshalls/702019.md?page=3)