NOW, we're getting to the root of the problem. With the Feds terrorising the public into staying at home, or driving, who needs an actual attack? I think half the problem is overlapping bureaus and agencies, all of whom are in massive CYA mode since 911 slipped through to the catcher. No-one dares judge even the most infinitesimal threat as not worth publicising. Meantime Americans are hitting the (perhaps unfamiliar) highway in unprecedented numbers. That really will put people in the morgue.
Airline Captains
President Bush
Secret Service Agents
When presented with the opportunity to have the agent's identity verified by phone, the captain refused to do so. When it was suggested by top security officials, he still refused to do so. Evidently, finally thinking he'd caught an imposter and eager to go after the agent, the captain had his staff do what they should have done from the get-go. They verified the agent's identity.
Completely forgotten is the fact that this agent had already passed three different checkpoints, with an airport security agent walking him through. Totally forgotten is the fact that he had already been seated and ready to take off on the first aircraft. Completely ignored is that the reason the first form at the new aircraft was altered. The airline didn't have the proper form available.
When the agent complained about the airline having to view his ID five times, the captain informed him it wasn't any of his concern? The agent's statement says that the captain actually said, "Don't address me directly."
Reading all the account and realizing the mindset of this captain, I no longer support captains being armed. Evidently these guys egos are so far out of control that they can't even take elemental steps to avoid confrontations. If the captain had asked his people to get the White House number from information instead of the agent, this situation could have been resolved in short order.
Note that the first form filled out was readable, it was simply on the wrong form due to no fault of the agent.
The airline reports provide enough data to call into question why the agent finally lost his cool.
President Bush, I'm with you fella.