10:43 PM CDT on Thursday, July 20, 2006

By BRETT SHIPP / WFAA-TV

Kraig Kirchem/WFAA-TV

Federal Air Marshals launch nationwide blitz to warn passengers they are not safe in the skies.

DALLAS — In an unprecedented move, federal air marshals from across the country are taking to the airwaves tonight. Their message: Despite their presence on flights all over the country, passengers are not safe. They also say it's something their bosses have known for years and have basically ignored.

Federal air marshals are supposed to be the first line of defense in the wake of 9-11 to prevent another 9-11. They are armed and highly trained, capable of subduing any threat facing a U.S. airliner, its passengers and crew. Anonymity is the key to keeping you safe and the terrorists guessing.

The objective is to make sure no one knows who they are and where they are sitting or if they are even on the plane.

"It's a deterrent if [terrorists] can't decide whether we are on the plane or not, for them to try to hijack it,” federal air marshal Spencer Pickard of Dallas said. “Whereas, right now? It's not a deterrent. We're seen. It makes the people feel safer, but they are not safer."

Pickard went on to say, “Now that we're telling them, we’re telling the public, we do this for a living, we're telling you it doesn't work."

And it's not just Pickard.

Tonight, at ABC television stations across the country, other air marshals are voicing their concerns. All are in fear of losing their jobs, but they were willing to go on the record with their concerns because they feel the policies governing their service put them and the public at risk.

"Because we follow procedures -- a procedure that's been set out for four and a half years -- every time we get on a plane, anybody who is halfway paying attention, knows exactly who we are," said one air marshal speaking anonymously.

Their specific concerns are documented in a recent ABC 20/20 investigation in which Pickard risked his job to tell all.

The number one concern is getting past the public security checkpoint. Pickard says he’s convinced people can pick out air marshals easily. Since 9-11, the Department of Homeland Security has never established a uniform procedure for getting around metal detectors. Air marshals all say they are forced to by-pass security through exit doors close to security checkpoints. A recent 20/20 undercover video shows two air marshals entering through the exit. When it comes to boarding planes, marshals say policies require them to pre-board, and they stand out.

"It doesn't leave much to the imagination to figure out who I am," one agent said.

What's more, marshals say they are frequently asked to identify themselves to crew members and gate agents who blow their cover in front of hundreds of passengers. They also say passengers can't help but notice two well-dressed passengers sitting in aisle seats up front.

“The procedures that we are required to follow right now make us stick out like sitting ducks,” said another marshal who requested his identity be protected.

Air Marshals we talked to say they've begged the agency to relax the strict dress code of dress shoes, slacks and collared shirts, especially when other passengers are dressed down for vacation.

These are key issues repeatedly brought to the attention of Air Marshal Service Directors Thomas Quinn and Dana Brown since 2002. They are concerns also echoed in a report released by the House Judiciary Committee report two months ago which determined "it is unacceptable for... management to be oblivious to the problems facing their organization."

Air Marshal Service officials declined our request for an on-camera interview but issued this statement saying they have made "policy changes that positively affect...aviation security.” It went on to say they are "engaged in a series of listening sessions and small group meetings" with employees, and they are "reviewing policies and procedures." But agents around the country say despite the national publicity, administrators have still not responded. Their only hope now is to risk their careers with a nationwide media blitz to appeal to the people whose lives they are trying to save.

"It should tell the people that are watching these shows they have to pick up the phone and call,” Pickard said. “They have to demand that this stuff gets fixed. Because if they don't, everybody that they know that flies and every time they fly, they are at risk."

Three weeks ago, Spencer Pickard was placed on administrative leave.

He says he has not been told why and he fully expects to lose his job for speaking out on ABC's 20/20.

E-mail bshipp@wfaa.com.