FLEOA FAMS Membership:
As you are all well aware (as am I due to the hundreds of
calls, texts and emails that I have received), CNN recently presented a biased,
prejudicial and complete misrepresentation of the flying Federal Air Marshal.
It appeared that the intent of the original story was the tragedy that we have
all endured with the suicides of our Brothers and Sisters. I am intimately familiar
with this, as I have personally endured this with a teammate at the Los Angeles
Field Office and have attended way too many of these funerals as your elected
FLEOA FAMS Agency President.
I was somewhat stunned by the "representatives” that were
chosen to apparently speak on behalf of the flying Federal Air Marshals. The
"retired” Federal Air Marshal that was interviewed brought back many bad
memories to both myself, and all the FAMs who were at the LA Field Office
during the tragic suicide of our LA FAM Brother years ago.
Let’s go back in history for those who are unaware of the
past. During the time of the tragedy at Los Angeles, the "retired” FAM featured
on CNN was part of a FAMS CIRP team that was sent from Headquarters to talk
with, and supposedly console, the FAMs from Los Angeles after our Brother FAM
took his life.
Well, something
completely different happened.
This "retired” FAM came in and made every single one of us
feel like complainers, whiners and malcontents. In fact, when this "retired”
FAM was done with us, Headquarters initiated an administrative investigation on
the Los Angeles FAM teammates of the FAM who committed suicide (my self
included).
And investigated for what? Investigated because his Brother
Federal Air Marshal teammates were all too "tight” and the majority of us rode
motorcycles together on our off time. So "someone” alleged we were an outlaw
biker gang! If it weren’t at such a tragic time, it would have been comical. So,
when the actual flying FAMs were trying to deal with the tragedy of their
Brother’s death, we all had to endure this investigation and potential loss of
our jobs.
Well, one can only surmise who initiated that investigation.
For those of you who that are unaware of who has actually
stood up for the rights of the flying FAM and didn’t just decide to have a
voice when it was safe to do so, please ask those who have been around and get
some understanding. Ask where were these people who are alleged "FAM representatives”
in 2002, 2005, 2007, 2009, 2011, etc.? What did they stand up for? How did they
help the flying FAM? All legitimate and fair questions. When you get the answer
to that, please let me know. I, along with dozens of others, were in the
trenches fighting on behalf of the flying FAM and to keep our jobs and they
were nowhere to be found.
I’m not new to this, I didn’t self appoint to my current position
as FLEOA FAM Agency President. I was elected by Federal Air Marshals since the
beginning and each and every FLEOA FAM Representative has the same thing in
common- they are hard charging, dedicated, loyal, honorable men and women who
know what comes first – MISSION.
We, as your FLEOA representatives have fought since 2002 for
your rights, dignity and respect as a Federal Air Marshal. I would NEVER respond
to a question that disparages my Brothers and Sisters as the "retired” FAM " responded
to it during the CNN interview.
CNN Reporter: " Would
I -sitting on a plane - want a STRESSED
out Federal Air Marshal potentially
SUICIDAL air marshal on that plane with me?
"Retired” FAM” – YOU WOULD NOT”.
What? This is a representative for the flying Federal Air
Marshal? That would be the day that I would let some reporter denigrate the men
and women who dedicate their lives to the protection of this country and
integrity of aviation security. I
guarantee that the reporter would have a complete understanding that he would
be BLESSED to have a Federal Air Marshal on his flight and so would his family.
And for another FAM "representative” to comment that a
Federal Air Marshal who apparently had an accidental discharge was "crying out
for help?” You know, even if we all knew that was the case or not (which I have
no clue, I am not a psychiatrist), you don’t throw fellow Brothers and Sisters
under the bus to make a point. If that FAM felt that way, it was his/her call
to announce that to the general public via CNN.
The way FLEOA and I have addressed our memberships issues
are very simple - we stand up and attack those who treat us unfairly and with
disrespect. NEVER do we, or would we, say that our brave Men and Women perform
a "pointless mission”, as was stated on CNN.
FLEOA confronts Senior TSA/FAM management who is the reason
that Federal Air Marshals work insane schedules, have a stunningly high divorce
rate, barely see their families and don’t carry long arms during VIPR or surge
operations. I, and dozens of other FLEOA FAM representatives, fought against
incompetent management during our entire careers as Federal Air Marshals – not
just when it was convenient and safe to do so.
And you know what, we are still here and will continue to
fight. What FLEOA has fought for, continues to fight for and has accomplished
is well documented. Ask yourself the following:
Are you required to wear a suit?
FLEOA VICTORY
Do you have to be clean-shaven and maintain a military
haircut?
FLEOA VICTORY
Do FAM "representatives” have the ability to actually speak
out on issues to the media without fear or repercussion?
FLEOA VICTORY
Do you have to pre-board in front of all the passengers?
FLEOA VICTORY
The reversal of the recently implemented inane TSA policy
that allowed KNIVES to be taken on a plane?
FLEOA VICTORY
These were real issues that FLEOA has won, these aren’t
pretend issues and wins, these are only a fraction of FLEOA has done for the
flying FAM.
And I will tell you something the FAMS Director, Deputy
Director or the other "managers” (not leaders – managers) at the top won’t say.
I am truly blessed, honored and humbled with the opportunity to represent my
Brother and Sister Federal Air Marshals – the true patriots.
The flying FAM, without a doubt, is the most unique breed in
law enforcement. Federal Air Marshal’s are masters of our trade - NOBODY does
what we do. NOBODY can do what we do. We have the toughest and the best weapons
training and shooters anywhere in law enforcement. Federal Air Marshals are
mission oriented, multi-faceted (as witnessed by numerous surge activities such
a Hurricane Katrina) and dedicated to one mantra "never again – won’t happen on
my watch”.
We are the ultimate Patriots, we stepped up when our country
needed us after the horror of 9/11, and we continue to stand up on behalf of
our country that we love.
So take a minute and look at those credentials and badge
that you carry everyday. Remember the pride you had when you EARNED that title
of FEDERAL AIR MARSHAL and how much that meant to you. Hold your head high and
remember why we are here when others let their memories fade. We have a
purpose, we have a mission and we will be successful in spite of inept
management. FLEOA will persevere to get these policies changed and not stop
until they are – as FLEOA has always done. As Federal Air Marshals, we will not
let these animals take another plane, that is what we believe and that is what
we will continue to do.
Stay safe,
Frank Terreri
FLEOA Federal Air Marshal Agency President