I was wondering this recently...where do FAMs generally sit onboard (Y/C/F/near an exit/near the cockpit/etc) and where do they keep their weaponry so other passengers don't see and panic?

As far as I know FAMs are seated in F. It makes sense to me to have them by the flight deck since, if seated in the back of Y, wouldn't be able to do anything if a pax in F wanted to invade the flight deck. I'm not exactly sure where they keep their firearm but would assume it's on them at all times. This way, they have it if they need it and don't risk someone else "finding" it.

your subject might be best suited for the travel safety & security forum as there are numerous posts about being "fam'd" (i.e. having one's seat changed towards the last minute).

from my experience, flying domestically, there will generally be 2 fam's in f/c and both sitting on the aisle. on international flights, there will generally be more than 2 and some will have the "pleasure" of riding in economy.

as to weapons, i can only speak from the one time i discretely asked a f/a to have pax in the aisle seat opposite me lower his pant leg. i don't know if that's sop as to a "carrying location" (i would think it's up to the individual fam) but that was what i observed and i don't think any of our resident fam's would be willing to divulge that information

If I told ya we' have to kill ya.

usually up in FC 1st row aisle is home away from home, they pack em where ever they feel its easiest for them to get to them

A good give away is the person with their shirt not tucked into their pants, a/k/a Hawaiian shirts. Or the stiff looking person who refuses to remove their jacket be it a sports/suit or reg

I dont really think anyone would Panic if they saw the gun, Ive spotted them many a time, the FAMs didnt appreciate my comments that went along with the spotting. Yet it never failed that they didnt hit the Lav right afterwards

Moving this thread to the Travel Safety & Security forum. Thanks for your understanding.

Jouy31
TravelBuzz moderator

fwiw, i've never seen a fam in row1 (even on a 2 row f/c cabin-there were both in opposite aisle seats in the second row) and yes, the fam who's weapon i spotted also had to go potty

In it's holster.

Better yet, just delete it.

Um, yeah. This is begging for trouble.

Domestically, somewhere in F - aisle, not in the bulkhead, and not side-by-side aisle seats either. They seldom are assigned to the last row of F, either.

Internationally, whichever cabin closest to the cockpit is where you'll find them - same MO, aisle seats, non-bulkhead, probably 4 to 6 on a flight, depending on the route and size of the plane.

Firearms are frequently in ankle holsters (look for the bulge) or in a back holster. I suspect this is more personal choice than anything, so they may carry them in other places too. Just look for the bulge(s).

They also have their own PDAs and are quite active on them before and after flights - making notes and getting their next assignments, as well as talking to their partner(s) without appearing to be "with" their partner(s). Others will chat merrily with each other throughout the flight.

No it isn't. If frequent flyers can spot air marshals, anyone can.

Furthermore, this is a good venue for those of us who do not agree with the program to discuss it.

Discussing the merits of a program is one thing, discussing possible law enforcement tactics is not.

I don't see anyone else posting potentially disasterous trade secrets of their own companies here.

Im just purely curious how they can move through an airport and onboard with a firearm and not be spotted...thats all!

A neon billboard would be less obvious at times.

I'll admitt its been a few yrs, however those times it happened I was in 1A and they were in 1B on CO, and not on a 2 row FC plane either.

Now maybe since then they changed where they sit, or cant sit (next to me )