According to an exclusive investigation by CNN, “of the 28,000 commercial airline flights that take to the skies on an average day in the United States, fewer than 1 percent are protected by on-board, armed federal air marshals.” The Transportation Security Administration denies this, calling CNN’s figures a “myth” but they won’t release the number of marshals or what percentage of flights are covered. And there’s more scary stuff in the report. This, you will want to read…

CNN quotes marshals and pilots who say the vast majority of flights do not have air marshals on them.

And this is especially troubling in light of the report’s account of recent TSA tests that showed it is possible to smuggle guns and bomb-making materials past airport security screeners.

Most of this is based on anonymous sources; I wish that wasn’t the case, but understandably the people involved don’t want to lose their jobs. And understandably, the TSA doesn’t want to give away its secrets, including how many air marshals are in the sky, but…it is worrisome.

Here’s a quote from one of those sources:

“The American public would be shocked. … I think the average person understands there’s no physical way to protect every single flight everywhere,” the air marshal said. “But it’s such a small percentage. It’s just very aggravating for us.” - anonymous air marshal

Any comments? And I’ll keep you updated.