Soldiers denied entry to airport (Oakland)

Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure ^ | Sept. 28, 2007 | Press Release

[Zilch]

TSA Statement on Incident Involving U.S. Troops at Oakland International Airport

http://www.tsa.gov/press/happenings/oakland.shtm

On Thursday, September 27, 2007 North American Airlines flight #1777 carrying soldiers and marines landed at Oakland International Airport from New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) where passengers were screened by U.S. Customs upon landing from overseas.

At no time were service men and women prohibited from entering the sterile area of Oakland International Airport by TSA personnel or regulations. Airport officials, the airline and ground handling company coordinated the arrival and all services associated with this flight, including refueling, refreshing supplies on the aircraft, maintenance checks and all passenger services.

TSA personnel across the country have worked closely with airports to ensure the utmost care when handling flights involving our troops and will continue to facilitate their movement to the greatest extent possible while ensuring a high level of security for all travelers.

[etraveler13]

Am I misreading this? It appears they are saying there was no problem and that the soldiers could enter Oakland terminal at any time? Yet they had not been passes thru TSA. Which is easily accomplished after landing, and, the guns were never back in their possession but onboard the aircraft, which was being refuelled. So, how did they get from the De-Plane location, 400 yards from the terminal to the the entry into the Oakland Terminal, this was not covered, nor IF they went inside. Lots of unanswered questions.

[etraveler13]

To further clarify this apparent misunderstanding, I sent this query to the Airport, Jholloway

Madam;
I am sure you know by now, that this is all over the country, and in every newspaper and all over the internet.
Your statement is that the Soldiers were NEVER prevented from entering the Oakland terminal, is that true?
You stated previously that they were:
1. De-planed 400 yards from the terminal.
2. Had not been TSA screened.

How did they get to the terminal, if in fact they did go to the terminal.
What provision was made for on site TSA screening.

What transportation or method of conveyance was made for the soldiers to the terminal.
If in fact there was no problem, why was the letter of complaint sent in the first place.
The author contends that they were denied access to Oakland Terminal

This is being posted online and I await your response.
You can view this thread at this link.

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/1905496/posts?page=41
 

[skippermd]

This is a serious problem. This summer I was returning home from Active duty and I was held (along with the 4 other officers I was traveling with) in the terminal after our checked bags tested positive for gunpowder residue (thats what happens when you have a sea bag with boots in them).

I had a valid Active duty ID, orders, and was fully cooperative. I was held so long that I missed my flight, and all other connecting flights back home. I finally made it back by catching standby flights for the ensuing 18 hours.

This is not a rare problem, I know several people who have had the same issue. We have written our governors and congressmen. I have yet to receive a response.

I didn’t mind the delay as long as I got home—but a major problem that I have with this is that security makes you a visibility when you are detained. We are ordered specifically not to travel in uniform to avoid being targeted. When TSA has a problem, and detains a person, forcing them to show ID, etc, and a scene is made, I believe this threatens our ability to travel safely and to intervene in a situation if we are required to do so.