Airline Employee Helps Al Gore Bypass Security at Nashville Airport

[Marnieworld]

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,256042,00.html

Why am I not surprised that it was FOx noise?

Get ready for another round of Gore bashing without any substance. I love how frightened they all are of him. He should just openly laugh at them.

[babylonsister]

1. If anyone's at fault, it's the airline employee. Non-story here. But

nice try, Faux. :eyes:

[rocktivity]

40. No "if" about it, Babylonsister

The American Airlines employee led...(Gore's party)...to the lower baggage level...and swiped each of them through a secure turnstile with her security badge...

An airport officer assigned to escort Gore to his gate was to meet him at the security checkpoint, but Gore never came through...The officer asked them if they went through security, and when they said they hadn't, they were taken back and fully screened.

...The employee will be required to take an airport security training course again...

:boring:
rocknation

[Toots]

45. Why would they screen Al Gore?

He was vice president of the USA for Crist's sake. If the airlines can't trust him then we are a very sorry country indeed....

[sanskritwarrior]

47. Ummm

no one is above the law. Al gore is not royalty. I think this was definitely not his fault, and Fox is sick for pushing the story. That said he should have just gone through, fortunately he was stand up enough to go through without raising a ruckus. But no one is above airport screening.

[Toots]

54. BS.. In the first place it is not law,,it is protocol

and the second place eventually "Common Sense" must emerge in this country or we are really sunk..

[NYCGirl]

2. Well, I guess that proves he flies commercial, right?

The difference between us and the right wing? The right wingers have no shame.

[talksabout]

6. I always find it hard to believe

that anyone with above average means still flies commercial. I mean, would you? Especaially with all of the jet-share options available now.

[unpossibles]

9. maybe because he realizes that flying commercial is more energy efficient

If anything, I think people who can afford a big car or a private jet, but still stick to their values should be commended.

Then again, some will find ways to tear down anyone, mostly out of guilt and fear. What a shame.

[NYCGirl]

11. Well, he does fly commercial. He was stopped before because his name

was on a no-fly list from the DHS.

[onenote]

24. I don't remember that...do you have a link?

I remember that Teddy Kennedy was on a no-fly list, but not Gore. I searched for a story, but didn't find one

[NYCGirl]

39. I apologize, I was posting in the middle of a very busy day today. It was

Teddy Kennedy. Al Gore is routinely searched, he mentioned before, and has to remove his shoes.

[jhasp]

43. Everyone has to remove their shoes now....eom

[NYCGirl]

48. You would think a former Vice President of the United States would get a break,

wouldn't you? It's not like he's unknown.

[NYC]

49. Since they are looking for terrorists, so they say,

there should be no need to search Al Gore. What are they trying to prove by doing so?

[PaulaFarrell]

18. I defintely would still fly commercial

assuming I flew anywhere. I prefer the train.

[ecstatic]

20. Do dangerous freeper-types fly?

Energy conservation or not, I don't think it's safe for Gore to risk getting on the same commercial flight as one of those Bush supporting, confederate-flag-waving domestic terrorists... He's a former Vice President for christ sake... at least give him that luxury! But that's just me. :shrug:

[HuffleClaw]

30. can you IMAGINE the stink they'd make about that? n/t

[Hekate]

51. No s*t, kemo-sabe. If Speaker Pelosi, 2nd in line to the presidency, caught that much flak...

...I certainly CAN imagine what the slime slingers would do the Al Gore.

Hekate

[raebrek]

37. I would to save a buck or two. n/t

[Hekate]

50. 'Scuse me? Just how much "above average" do my "means" have to be to fly private?

Any idea?

Hekate

[Lurking Dem]

55. It's expensive.

You pay up front for fractional ownership. Then you pay for each flight (by hour) plus a monthly plane maintenance fee.

You can do it without buying a fractional ownership which can be cheaper but break even is at 75 hours per year.

[Hekate]

52. Talksabout, small aircraft with Democrats inside keep crashing...

...at a far greater rate than those with Repub passengers.

Around here we have a saying: "Hope he stays out of small airplanes". We wish Paul Wellstone had.

Welcome to DU.

Hekate

[Ian David]

3. Fox has way too much time on their hands. Must not be any real news going on. n/t

[raebrek]

38. Anna Nicole news is slowing down. n/t

[Bitwit1234]

4. They probably have people assigned to follow him around.

Just to see if they can catch him at something.

[UpInArms]

5. I do so hope that Rupert SmearDoc is strip searched

every time he flies.

[Missy M]

7. I think it is ridiculous that Al Gore would have to go through...

security in the first place, but when asked he did it with no complaints. Fox is grasping at straws with this story.

[CTyankee]

21. Doesn't he still have Secret Service protection?

[Lisa]

34. nope -- ex-VPs only get it for a few months after they leave office

I seem to recall that Gore also had it discontinued before the expiry date.

[John Q. Citizen]

8. Fear Gore! ...would be a great bumper sticker. n/t

[BeyondGeography]

10. They've got a series of these stories planned

Next up: Gore piles 11 items onto supermarket express checkout lane

[Zenlitened]

12. Yes, but then we'll learn, days after the fact, that a carton of half a dozen eggs...

... was counted as six items.

Of course, that part of the story will not get quite the same play as the initial "Gore is a Big Meanie!" headlines.

[KamaAina]

17. Gore was caught red-handed doing 30 in a 25 mph zone!!!!

of course, the radar gun was made by Diebold...

[Psephos]

56. LOL n/t

[Sapere aude]

13. Was he wearing a shoe bomb or something? Was he a threat to national security?

Did he threaten to blow up a plane over the White House? What did he do that was so wrong?

[donkeyotay]

29. Don't you know, Al Gore is untrustworthy. He COULD have had a bomb.

How dare security take that chance. Don't trust Al.

Probably not really part of the campaign, but yesterday MSNBC had a banner about the tornado in Alabama that said "Al Tornado." Made me laugh, but I had to wonder.

[Lisa]

36. you mean, as described in the report of the aviation security commission he chaired in 1996-7?

http://www.fas.org/irp/threat/212fin~1.html

"The bombings of the World Trade Center in New York and the Federal Building in Oklahoma City are clear examples of the shift, as is the conviction of Ramzi Yousef for attempting to bomb twelve American airliners out of the sky over the Pacific Ocean. The second change is that in addition to well-known, established terrorist groups, it is becoming more common to find terrorists working alone or in ad-hoc groups, some of whom are not afraid to die in carrying out their designs.

Although the threat of terrorism is increasing, the danger of an individual becoming a victim of a terrorist attack -- let alone an aircraft bombing -- will doubtless remain very small. But terrorism isn't merely a matter of statistics. We fear a plane crash far more than we fear something like a car accident. One might survive a car accident, but there's no chance in a plane at 30,000 feet. This fear is one of the reasons that terrorists see airplanes as attractive targets. And, they know that airlines are often seen as national symbols."

(snip)

"3.2. The FAA should establish federally mandated standards for security enhancements.

These enhancements should include standards for use of Explosive Detection System (EDS) machines, training programs for security personnel, use of automated bag match technology, development of profiling programs (manual and automated), and deployment of explosive detection canine teams."


(snip)

"3.7. The FAA should work with airlines and airport consortia to ensure that all passengers are positively identified and subjected to security procedures before they board aircraft.

Curb-side check-in, electronic ticketing, advance boarding passes, and other initiatives are affecting the way passengers enter the air transportation system. As improved security procedures are put into place, it is essential that all passengers be accounted for in that system, properly identified and subject to the same level of scrutiny. The Commission urges the FAA to work with airlines and airport consortia to ensure that necessary changes are made to accomplish that goal."

[bullimiami]

14. why should it be a problem to scoot a former VP through security?

because we are so lame, incompetent and stupid that we need to random extra screen someones grandma and al gore while skipping those who actually fit the terrorist profile?

designed incompetence.

i hope the same aholes that are complaining about this keep a close eye on exvp cheney and make sure he goes through every security check just like everyone else.

[Benhurst]

15. When was the last time Bush was subjected to a security check?

And he is the most notorious terrorist in the world.

[Tempest]

16. So what?

Bush plans on creating a fast pass system where people who undergo background checks can bypass security at airports.

Gore has undergone more background checks than the program will call for.

[MaineDem]

19. Where was his Secret Service protection? n/t

[NYCGirl]

22. Former VPs don't get them. Just former Presidents. Gore has to supply his own

bodyguards.

[MaineDem]

23. Thanks

I guess I just assumed.

[ryanmuegge]

25. Wow. There is a HARDCORE smear campaign against this guy.

Even by the Rove/Bush/Murdoch standards, I'm kind of surprised by the tenacity they are showing in attacking this guy with any minuscule thing they can.

[librechik]

26. uhoh--a member of the Liberal Elite getting "preferential treatment?"

I'm outraged! (Tom Delay)

Why, this is a violation of National Security! (Bin Laden Family let go by FBI without questioning)

Only LIBERALS would ever do such a thing ! (Karl Rove keeps job and security clearance after helping out Plame)

[Megahurtz]

27. So What?

Fux is so stupid.
I mean after all, Big Al is such a big scary guy, he might highjck the plane!!!:scared::sarcasm:

Totally ridiculous. :eyes:

[Vinca]

28. What happened to all their reporting about his "private" jet???

You don't go through security to get on your "private" jet. They must have someone trailing him around. Next headline? "Al Gore's Fly Down - The Story At 10."

[bleedingheart]

31. Man...Gore must be doing something right to scare the shit out of the media

the poor man can't walk two steps without being blamed for something

[Lone_Star_Dem]

32. Less than a week ago they were implying he flew to the oscars in private jet

I wonder if they get the irony?

[truthisfreedom]

33. There's nothing in the story to suggest that Gore requested this "assistance" and everything to

suggest that he was completely cooperative at all times. This was obviously the security person's mistake, and Gore had nothing whatsoever to do with it.

I don't read this as an attack on Gore or Gore-bashing, other than to make it look like (to those who don't bother reading the story) Gore is seeking special favors, which he obviously was not.

[Lisa]

35. I haven't seen any reports of Gore having hissy fits over airline security

As you say, truthisfreedom, I doubt that he would go around asking for special treatment, regardless of the (no other word for it!) inconvenience. And one would think that incidents like this one would be enough to send most people off the deep end -- Gore may have been displeased, but he maintained his composure -- I've seen folks freaking out over a lot less.

http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=51090
"Private citizen Al Gore learned that last week - not once but twice.
(snip)
Passengers sharing Flight 406 were startled to hear Gore being told, "Sorry, sir, you have to go through extra screening," and to witness security personnel rifling through his briefcase and suitcase, a witness said.
"You're looking out and seeing Al Gore's unmentionables in his big, carry-on suitcase," said Mark Graul of Green Bay. "You could tell he was thinking, 'This is not happening to me.'
"He did not have a happy look on his face. Basically the whole plane boarded before they got through looking through his stuff.
"He patiently went through it and then took a seat in the front row with, I assume, an aide," Graul said."
(snip)
... said Gore spokesman Jano Cabrera, who accompanied him during both checks. "As I recall, he shook the hands of all the airport screeners afterward and thanked them for doing the jobs that they're doing and asked them to keep up the good work.""


As an airline patron, I personally would have no problem with the guy who chaired the White House Commission on Aviation Safety and Security (1996-1997) getting a security pass. (Thanks to DUer "alfredo" for the link.)
http://www.fas.org/irp/threat/212fin~1.html

[TrogL]

57. Wish I could read minds like that

>"You could tell he was thinking, 'This is not happening to me.'

[melody]

41. Faux-President Bush gets around accountability every day

I think it's only fair the real President gets a little work-around, especially since he's
probably at the lowest security risk level possible.

[Rydz777]

42. Desperate

They are getting absolutely desperate when they try to pretend that this has any news value. They have tried everything to try to belittle Al Gore and he just keeps on ticking, ignoring them, and setting an example of an engaged public citizen.

[sanskritwarrior]

44. This whole story is lame

1. The airline employee should lose her job, no one is above the screening process.

2. I love Mr. Gore, but he should know better than to scoot by security.

It's a nonstory and Fox is bogus for trying to give it legs, however in our society no one should be above security screenings. Fortunately Mr. Gore was smart enough to apologize and go back through, showing yet again what a stand up guy he is.

[rocktivity]

46. At least the headline isn't "Gore Caught In Airport Security Bypass Attempt"

:boring:
rockn

[Lydia Leftcoast]

53. I've been helped through security

Back in 2002, my original connecting flight into LAX was cancelled so i was rebooked and ended up having 40 minutes to retrieve my bags, get to the international terminal, check in, and make my flight.

A fellow passenger from the connecting flight kindly offered to run ahead and tell All Nippon Airways that I was coming. When I finally arrived at the ANA check-in desk, they checked me in in record time, and an employee took me through the airline employees' security line, which was nearly empty. I made it to the gate area just as the last of the boarding line was handing in their boarding passes.

Also, some airports have security lines especially for passengers who have elite (frequent flyer) status.