Shawn B. McCullers
FLEOA FAM Agency VP for Health & Safety

Frank Terreri is absolutely correct in his allegation. It has become pattern and practice for the FAM Management to initiate fraudulent charges against FAMs that have spoken up and out against the many security, health, safety, and policy violations committed and perpetrated against the rank and file FAMs. They have then proceeded to parade these FAMs as word of mouth examples in the field offices, briefings, and training sessions, that anyone who fails to go along or opposes these violations will be made an example of by having their careers ruined and financially trying to break that FAM and his family.

It is a well-known fact in the FAM service that FLEOA Representatives were especially targeted to discourage the rest of the rank and file FAMs from coming together to voice their concerns. FLEOA Reps are non-paid and non-union members of a professional organization that represents more than 24, 000 Federal Agents. FLEOA addresses our safety issues in a progressive and professional manner, in many ways to our individual agencies and to the legislature. FAM Management was adamant about characterizing reps as "troublemakers" and "Pea Brains". This attitude was pervasive and had a profound effect on silencing the rank and file. Many told me personally that they could not afford to go through what Frank and other FLEOA Representatives had gone through. Many made reference to the retaliation, bogus investigations and allegations of wrongdoing. Also, in the case of some reps injured directly as a result of their employment, this meant having to go without income form the FAM service for as long as five months because they were denied light duty positions and were having our OWCP cases tampered with by the FAMs OWCP Coordinator and their Field Offices in violation of 18 USC 1922. These issues were well known as examples of what would happen to those that did not remain silent. Some FAMs were told they would be looking for jobs like the FLEOA Reps if they did not “Shut up and Fly!”

It is also critical to mention, that these practices are not only pattern and practice for the retired SS Managers, but many of the Pre-9/11 FAMs that have gained low-level managerial positions during the build up Post 9/11. What the SS Managers have done is to leverage their apparent political pull against the career aspirations of these low-level (first line supervisors) to goad them into modeling their managerial style of oppression, illegal activity, and tyranny. Now, please do not excuse or feel sorry for them--because like us all they had to make a choice of whether the cost of their souls was worth the promise of promotions to come. They chose to sell their souls to the SS Managers in hopes of promotions and participated fully and willingly in the criminal conspiracies that have been perpetrated against the rank and file FAMs for the sakes of their career aspirations. I do not make these allegations arbitrarily; these are my personal beliefs and EXPERIENCES, as well as, those of countless FAMs that correspond with me for advice.

Neither the American People nor the FAM Service is well served by their choice. We have a very distinctive mission, and at the very least that mission should have been of the utmost importance with the horrific events of 9/11 propelling the need for our dramatic increase in manpower. FAM Management has squandered a very fortuitous opportunity to garner and harness an immense amount of skills, knowledge, and abilities coming from almost every law enforcement, military, experience, and educational background to create one of the most superb Law Enforcement Agencies in the world. Might I add that, in my opinion, they forsook this responsibility solely for their own financial gain and ego.

To all American Citizens that read these articles and these posts, Please make it your business to be proactive with your newfound knowledge of these atrocities. Pick up a telephone or an ink pen and write your Congressman and/or Senator and demand accountability. We are a Nation built in part on Political Revolution; please find it in your spirit to refuse to abide this type of behavior in your public servants. Please do not settle for one or a few scapegoats at the lower levels that allow the Perpetrators of these crimes to retire again, and fall into some other cushy position in the private sector.

Fellow FAMs, it is long past due for you all to stand with us and get on the record. We are charged with protecting American Citizens and consider your fellow FAM one of those Citizens that need your protection. The door is open, walk on through and join us…we are waiting. Let us demand that this program be all that it should be and more. Let us be the catalysis for the change that we need to restore integrity, accountability, and a well deserved good reputation to OUR AGENCY!

True accountability is what we are sacrificing our careers for. It is not about personal vendettas, although I would be lying if I said that it would not satisfy me personally to see FAM Management held accountable. I believe that what we have sacrificed our careers for IS ACTUALLY more important than ourselves. In order to choose the lifestyle of a Law Enforcement Officer, yes it is a lifestyle and not simply a career choice, you have to believe somewhat idealistically in the concept of right and wrong. IF SOME OF US ARE TO BE HELD TO A HIGHER STANDARD, THEN SO SHOULD WE ALL. They all need to be thoroughly investigated and appropriately held to the highest standard of accountability and of the law. Fellow FAMs Hold Your Heads and Protect Your Neck…literally…as the Managements Irresponsible Behavior has left us all Vulnerable.

Shawn B. McCullers
Former Philadelphia FAM

You can sneak any weapon you want at any airline in the states. They do not search the personel who come in everyday to work at the airports. Janitors, clerks, airline personel, and any of them can smuggle in weapons and you know if you are in a connecting waiting lounge you don't get screened or searched again. Some American Airlines people told me this and that they complain to higher ups and nothing is done. Do these Marshalls know this, they must and that has to be a big worry to know someone may have a gun and they know you are the Marshall. This world is crazy.

It's pretty sad it has come down to this. We have people at each gate in every airport whose job is to prevent passengers from boarding planes with weapons of some sort, in hopes to avoid another terrorist attack. Also, this is the article received by the bipartisan committee with an F for pre-screening, http://www.cnn.com/2005/POLITICS/12/05/
911.commission/index.html

Therefore, we have air marshals that need to carry guns on board planes because the missed/over sight passengers that could be possible threat to the other passenger, or worse another hijacked plane into another tower or building.

The marshals are doing their jobs but, being forced to board the plane no differently than the rest of the passengers.

There are other ways for them to get on-board and unseen, why has this become so difficult for this to be done?

How come it’s so easy for NSA to tape into phones and computers without the proper warrants, and not receive any repercussion for this but, when the air marshals attempt to do their job their identity is put in jeopardy?

God Bless

I just got through watching the news regarding the air marshalls on board airplanes. This report was very informative, especially, to those terrioists who are rather on the "dumb" side. Why do we air such report findings? Isn't this a breach of confidentality? I am concerned for the information being reported on the news instead of just to the people who have influence to fix this situation and make it better. I fear the air marshall program is now in jeopardy which, in time, will jeopardize the lives of future passengers on board. Thank you for you time. May God Bless America!

I have a friend who has given many years of his life to his country. He served in Vietnam flying F4s and F5s and was shot down twice. He has served in the capacity of Air Marshall and agrees with the poor assessment. He is being held to his job, even though he qualifies for a medical retirement, due to two "blown" discs in his lower back, caused by ejecting from his aircraft.
Why are our heroes being treated so poorly? It's because this country has become ruled by the rich and for the rich. The middle class is paying the price. We are on our way to becoming an impoverished country with a large gap between the haves and the have-nots.
This is my opinion.
Peter Lewis / Electronic Technician

With all the hassles, it's hardly worth flying anymore. The government has the entire airline and airport industries so tied up with red tape, regulations, and beurocracy, it's a wonder anything gets done.

Anything the DHS touches becomes so full of ineptness, incompetance, and stupidity... we were better off before 9/11.

The EEOC is charged by law with enforcing federal employment laws; these offices should file a claim for retaliation and then proceed to file a lawsuit in federal court.

Shawn McCullers was right on the money. If you care about your safety and the security of this nations airlines, write all of your state representative and senators and demand what is suppose to be. The air marshals need our help and support just like our troops do.

I did a lot of undercover work in my police career. What pin head came up with the idea the Air Marshals need to go through security at the airport. Obviously it was some suit who has never done field work. Come on guys get your head out and let the guys do their job. Have them enter the airport through some alternative means before you get one or more of them killed.

I am losing all faith in all levels of government...

I am losing all faith in all levels of government...

Congress is not the answer to our law enforcement crises. They are absolutely useless demagogues, and they have no ability nor desire to make changes in any agency policy. The responsibility and blame lies squarely on the President's shoulders. He is a do-nothing, disinterested President who hires shady and unqualified people to run the country. When the top dog is incompetent, what can we expect from the people he hires? (Calm down, there, Mr. Liberal Press...Clinton was just as worthless). People complain because Bush is secretive. Incompetent people are always secretive...lest they expose themselves for the chimpanzees they are. Get all bothered about flight security if you want, but absolutely nothing will change until real men run this country. And that will never happen (thanks to our public school educated electorate), so I guess we're doomed!

Everything connected with airline travel security is in a shambles.
Anything that makes practical sense is discarded. It seems simple to me that Air Marshalls could and should be boarded way ahead of any passengers. Common sense and practicality are not used by the TSA or many other federal agencies.
Those responsible for the air marshall problems should be fired with no benefits. Period. Start with Norman Mineta.

Our president needs to get off his duff and clean out FAM management.

Don't expect the TSA to protect you either. Their employees are incompetent.

Read "Terror in the Skies Series" at Womens Wall Street Journal. Very eye opening and runs along this line. They have been talking about this for years and nothing is done. Why is that? I don't fly anymore on vacations and Thank God none of my family or myself have to fly for our jobs. Scary Stuff and unforgiveable. We need outcry from the people to congress!!

I am tired and disheartened by this agancies persistent reckless disregard for the ones who actually effect the mission.

I have given the vast majority of my life to public service not because I desire accolades, but because that is my purpose in life.

"Until morale improves, the beatings will continue!!" is such a true saying in this agency. FAM management need TO GO! Change needs to happen, NOW! The only thing is this CHANGE ISN'T CHANGE UNTIL IT IS CHANGED!

I would love to do more, but unfortunantely I wasn't a prior Secret Service agent, not one to suck up to the boss. There is no vision and it has been said that "where there is no vision, the people perish."

I thank my fellow brother at arms for his courage, percistence, and the intestinal fortitude to tell the TRUTH which our management has no capability of doing.

To the FAM Management a word of advice my mom always told me growing up, "What ever hides in the dark, SHALL come to light!" CLICK!

Seems as though not a single day goes by that you do not see one or more "whistleblower" reports of malfeasance on the part of our government bureaucrat or bureaucracy.

I am someone who worked for a major airline before, during and after 911. The screeners on duty before the attack were doing as good a job as the TSA is now...the weapons that allowed the attack were not prohibited at that time. The only difference between then and not is the change of restricted articles and the 100's of millions of dollars we spend on the TSA. Air Marshalls were able to board the airplane in other ways than through the lounge door...not sure if that has changed, but don't imagine that it has. The methods, training, procedures and heightened awareness of the airline personnel, federal screeners and air marshalls has been sufficient to preclude another attack to this point. Changes are always being proposed, considered and implemented to try to stay a step ahead of potential attackers. The best way to assure our security is to challenge and attack terrorism whenever and where ever we find it and, thanks to our brave people in the federally controlled departments and the armed services, we are doing just that thing. Eventually free people everywhere will take control of their countries and isolate these extremists to put and end to their attempt to control those same people.

What a huge beauracracy our government has become. Homeland "Security"? What a joke.

A bunch of power hungry guys in charge of a MASSIVE budget.

We have groups of terrorists.. One group destroys a building. Another one destroys our Constitution. Another waging war on our workforce and standard of living.

Billy