Paul L posted
"Perhaps the lighting of shoelaces is a subtle plot to identify the air marshals so that his pals a couple of rows back can take them out and THEN go on to hijack the plane... Hence the fighter escort.
Just joking guys..."
I don't understand why both of the 2 air marshalls on the flight were *both* required to sit with the idiot and give up their identity as marshalls - his offence was smoking and being an idiot with his comments. This happens almost everyday.
One (1) of the marshalls could have identified himself, gagged him, tied him up to a seat and kept an eye on him - leaving another marshall unidentified and ready to act if something else were to happen. What if, as Paul L suggests, his pals *were* waiting to see who the marshalls were before making a move. I suggest being over-zealous comprimised the level of security for the remainder of the flight.
I know, it's easy to be the arm chair critic....but I have seen a pax get busted for smoking on a flight into KLAS in 2006, 2 marshalls did not sit with the passenger for the remainder of the flight and no F16 escort.
Maybe I am missing something here?
Rob.