"Easy-to-spot air marshals to change their procedure"

Thursday, June 10, 2004

Ridge promises changes to air marshal procedure
The Associated Press


WASHINGTON (AP) - Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge promised Wednesday
to change procedures at Milwaukee's Mitchell International Airport and other
airports around the country to better hide the use of federal air marshals
on flights. 

Ridge, responding to questions from Sen. Herb Kohl, D-Wis., said Milwaukee
was not the only airport where air marshals have been identifying themselves
in public spaces where passengers could easily observe them. 

Kohl questioned whether such public identifications compromised the security
purpose of using air marshals, and Ridge agreed it was not a good idea. 

"It defeats the purpose, doesn't it?" asked Kohl. 

"Yes, sir, it does," said Ridge, who said other airports have more careful
security procedures. 

"We're looking at a systemwide change," said Ridge. 

Air marshals brought similar concerns to Congress in April after failing to
get their commanders to take action. 


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