As a result of the thwarted terrorist threat in London, the Department of Homeland Security is mandating that federal air marshals based out of Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport be subject to random carry-on baggage inspections, a move that some air marshals say threatens to expose their identities.

According to these air marshals, the policy poses logistical problems because it creates another opportunity for potential terrorists to recognize air marshals as screeners search through their baggage in full view of the public.

Air marshals typically carry on numerous types of equipment, including: a fire arm, extra ammunition magazines, a baton, leg cuffs, hand cuffs, flex cuffs, a knife, a personal data assistant and a flash light.

Contract security guards monitoring the bypass doors at security checkpoints and Transportation Security Administration screeners manning the departure gates will carry out the random baggage inspections, according to an internal Federal Air Marshal Service e-mail obtained and confirmed by CQ Homeland Security.

Air marshals were directed to identify themselves before allowing their bags to be inspected, and contract security guards were directed not to search the air marshal’s person, according to the internal e-mail.

The message also stated that Dallas-based air marshals “should be prepared” for the inspection at the gate to avoid being compromised to other passengers. Air marshals are already required to identify themselves in full view of the public at the check-in gate as well.

“We can’t check bags,” said an air marshal working out of the Dallas field office, speaking on condition on anonymity. “We have all of our equipment with us and we [usually] only go somewhere for one night.”

While air marshals usually keep a firearm and a couple other items on them, the rest of the items are usually packed in a carry-on bag so that the air marshals can remain discrete, but still have access to the tools they need.

The directive also says the air marshals cannot put liquids and gels in their carry-on baggage, a requirement the air marshals find foolish.

“They [screeners] are looking for dangerous items, but once [an air marshal] has authorization to carry a fire arm, what difference does it make if [they] carry shampoo,” said the air marshal. “[The policy] makes no sense.”

Other Dallas-based air marshals are lobbying internally to have the policy changed, but as of press time Friday, the policy had not been rescinded or altered, according to the air marshal.

Meanwhile, air marshals in Dallas have run through training exercises in preparation for situations where two or more terrorists attempt to meet on board the plane and combine two or more elements to create an explosion.

Larger teams of air marshals would increase effectiveness when trying to cut off all of the avenues where terrorists could rendezvous on board a large aircraft, the marshal added.

Matthew M. Johnson can be reached at mjohnson@cq.com.

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