FAA INSPECTOR OBSERVED IN SECURE RAMP AREA WITHOUT BADGE.

Narrative

WE HAD JUST COMPLETED A FLT TO MCO. THE ACFT WAS PARKED AT THE GATE AND THE CAPT WAS IN FLT OPS SIGNING THE RELEASE. AFTER COMPLETING MY EXTERIOR PREFLT; I STARTED TO WALK TOWARDS THE OPS OFFICE. AT THE TIME THERE WAS 1 OTHER PERSON ON THE RAMP. HE WAS APPROX 25-30 YARDS FROM ME AND OFF TO 1 SIDE AT AN ANGLE OF ABOUT 45 DEGS. AT THE TIME; I DID NOT NOTICE WHETHER OR NOT HE WAS WEARING A BADGE. HE WAS DRESSED IN A SUIT; NOT A UNIFORM. I PROCEEDED TO THE OPS OFFICE AND EXITED ABOUT 3 OR 4 MINS LATER. AS I WALKED BACK TOWARD THE AIRPLANE; THE SAME MAN APCHED ME. FACING HIM STRAIGHT ON; IT WAS EASY TO SEE HE HAD AN FAA BADGE CLIPPED TO THE UPPER L PART OF HIS LAPEL. HE ASKED WHY I DID NOT QUESTION HIM ABOUT HIS NOT WEARING A BADGE. I SAID THAT I DID NOT NOTICE THAT HE WASN'T WEARING A BADGE; AND ASKED HIM IF IT WAS TRUE THAT HE WASN'T WEARING A BADGE. HE SAID 'YES.' HE SAID SOMETHING TO THE EFFECT THAT I REALLY SHOULD BE MORE CAREFUL. AT THAT POINT ANOTHER COMPANY EMPLOYEE CAME UP AND STARTED TALKING TO THE FAA INSPECTOR; AND I HEADED FOR THE AIRPLANE. THE FAA INSPECTOR GAVE NO INDICATION THAT HE INTENDED TO ISSUE A VIOLATION. WHAT CONCERNS ME ABOUT THIS INCIDENT IS THAT I DON'T BELIEVE AN FAA INSPECTOR SHOULD BE ALLOWED TO CONSIDER HIMSELF ABOVE THE LAW BY KNOWINGLY NOT WEARING HIS BADGE IN A SECURED AREA.