New law eliminates age limit for air marshals

Benjamin Grove

Tuesday, Nov. 20, 2001 | 8:34 a.m.

WASHINGTON -- Air marshals quietly monitoring the nation's airline flights will no longer be restricted to an age limit of 40 years.

Sen. John Ensign, R-Nev., added a provision to the airline security bill signed by President Bush Monday that removes what Ensign said was an arbitrary age restriction on air marshals that will be used in greater number in U.S. skies.

The new law requires air marshals to pass a physical examination and background checks.

Ensign said retired law enforcement and military officers would be perfect air marshal candidates. Ensign, 43, has said he introduced the measure after conversations with physically fit friends who are over 40 and would make excellent air marshals.

"Our nation needs the experience of retired military and police officers," Ensign said in a written statement. "We can't afford to turn away skilled, able-bodied citizens who want to help."

Federal Aviation Administration officials have not said how many air marshals are patrolling the skies but the new law would expand their number. The Federal Air Marshal program began in 1985.

Federal law enforcement officers from the Treasury and Justice Departments, as well as Park Service rangers have already been drafted into the air marshal program. The FAA has received more than 67,000 applications for the jobs.