To answer the forum questions about the real # of FAMs on US flights, I'd say an educated guess is around 5-10% of all US airline flights.
That # may be even lower.
The FAMS(Air Marshals Service) is not well funded, well run or able to meet staffing or hiring needs. Many sworn trained FAMs quit or get seperated after 2-3 years. I've seen & heard of media reports that documented the FAMS's serious problems.
There have also been a few lethal force incidents too. While doing a security contract job in south Florida in late 2005, I heard of 2 FAMs who smoke-checked a unstable man who claimed to have a bomb in the Miami airport.
Now, I'm not saying that everyone with a CWP or license needs to play Passenger 57 but to allow screened/trained passengers to act as FAMs sometimes may help cover those gaps.
ClydeFrog
ps; If you never saw Passenger 57, check it out. It's a older film(1992) but a decent action film
www.IMDb.com