While most reports and editorials since the incident place no blame on the air marshals, who apparently acted in accordance with their training, other questions have been raised. A columnist in Editor & Publisher critiqued the “media docility” that quickly spread the official version of the story without checking the facts. Others have questioned the training itself, and the thinking behind it. But some feel it is how things ought to work in the post-9/11 world: David Stempler, president of the Air Travelers Association, told The Associated Press he thinks the shooting may prove more “reassuring than disturbing” to the traveling public. “This is a reminder they are there and are protecting the passengers and that it is a seriously deadly business,” he said.
Airline Safety And Collateral Damage
Key Takeaways:
- While air marshals were not blamed for an incident and acted according to training, questions have been raised about "media docility" in quickly spreading the official version of events.
- The training and underlying thinking for air marshals have also been scrutinized by some critics.
- Conversely, some stakeholders believe such incidents are reassuring to the public, demonstrating active protection and the serious nature of post-9/11 security.
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