Air Marshal Silenced by Administration

The current Director of the Federal Air Marshal Service (FAMS), Thomas D. Quinn, continued his witch-hunt campaign by silencing an outspoken Federal Air Marshal leader by placing him on administrative leave

LEWISBERRY, PA (PRWEB) October 15, 2004 -- On October 13, 2004, the current Director of the Federal Air Marshal Service (FAMS), Thomas D. Quinn, continued his witch-hunt campaign by directing two FAMS supervisors to go to the home of an outspoken Federal Air Marshal leader and place him on administrative leave.

Both supervisors arrived in the evening at the home of the air marshal and ceremoniously seized his government issued weapon and identification in front of his wife and six-year old autistic son. The supervisors then informed the air marshal that he was being placed on administrative leave for sending an e-mail from his personal computer to other Federal Air Marshals on their personal e-mail accounts –– all of whom are members of the Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association (FLEOA).

The air marshal's e-mail discussed an article published in the October 18, 2004 edition of People magazine entitled A Day in the Life of an Air Marshal”, in which another Federal Air Marshal voluntarily disclosed to a reporter in great detail, sensitive and tactical information regarding operational procedures and protocol.

The charge against the air marshal alleges that he directed disparaging remarks in his personal e-mail message towards the other air marshal, who had recklessly disclosed sensitive information in the magazine article.

The Federal Air Marshal placed on administrative leave has always been a strong advocate regarding aviation and passenger safety issues. By placing this air marshal on administrative leave, Director Quinn has succeeded in grounding an air marshal who has earned a reputation as being both an outstanding advocate and impeccable Federal Air Marshal. As a leader and representative of FLEOA, he has repeatedly, and without success, attempted to advise Director Quinn of the many safety concerns currently being expressed by over 1,350 Federal Air Marshals –– all upstanding members of FLEOA.

But Director Quinn has refused to meet with any representatives of FLEOA, and instead has opted to publicly berate FLEOA members. Ironically, Director Quinn is no stranger to disparaging remarks –– he has been publicly referring to his own air marshals as unprofessional fleas" and "pea brains" for many months now.

Since recently being directed to testify before the House Judiciary Committee, Director Quinn has made it clear that he will punish any Federal Air Marshal who continues to publicly speak out on air travel and passenger safety issues. After FLEOA last week passed a resolution of "no confidence" in the leadership abilities of Director Quinn, it is not surprising that Director Quinn has now stepped-up his witch-hunt campaign to permanently silence all Federal Air Marshals who bravely come forward to expose aviation security lapses.

FLEOA National President Art Gordon declared that he will continue to work closely with congressional committees who have been investigating numerous air travel and passenger safety issues that Director Quinn has continually failed to address during this entire administration.

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