Who can board the aircraft without minimum crew present?

The correct answer indicates that FAM (Federal Air Marshal) and FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) Inspectors can board the aircraft without the minimum crew present. This is because both these roles are associated with maintaining security and regulatory oversight in the aviation industry.

Federal Air Marshals are responsible for ensuring the safety of passengers on flights, and they operate under specific federal mandates that allow them to board planes even when the required minimum crew is not present, as their role directly ties into the safety and protection of the flight.

Similarly, FAA Inspectors are responsible for enforcing compliance with aviation safety regulations. When conducting inspections or fulfilling their official duties, they have the authority to board aircraft, which may involve circumstances where the minimum crew presence is not mandatory.

This authority highlights the importance of these roles in the larger context of aviation safety and security, allowing them to act without the standard operational constraints that apply to ordinary passengers, airline executives, or federal law enforcement agents, who would typically need to wait for an adequate crew presence before boarding.