TSA stops troops from invading SFO Airport

KCBS News Radio Website ^ | 3/17/2005 | KCBS

[PotreroAaron]

TSA Does Not Allow Military Personnel to Get Off the Plane at SFO Source: kcbs Publication date: 2005-03-17

(KCBS) - Military personnel returning from Afghanistan did not get a warm welcome when they touched down in San Francisco. KCBS reporter Margie Shafer learned that soldiers fighting the war on terror were not allowed to disembark this week, because of security concerns.

The soldiers landed on a chartered ATA aircraft, but were forced to remain on the plane for three hours, while it refueled.

"There are some security issues involved here. They have weapons," said Ed Gomez with the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). "They have weapons, and we have to secure the weapons. We have to secure the airplane. We have to communicate properly."

Generally, unloaded weapons are guarded as military personnel go into the terminal to get drinks, call home or stretch.

But a KCBS source at the airport said a TSA official told the airline that if the soldiers got off the plane, the terminal would be evacuated.

...

[budwiesest]

were forced to remain on the plane for three hours, while it refueled.

I'd be pissed waiting that long even if I hadn't flown from Afganistan.

In fact, might even be the beginning of a new episode: Black-Eye for the TSA guy.

[arasina]

Okay, I agree with you on that. (It's INFURIATING news!)

[Jeff Gordon Fan]

I'd feel Safer if these guys and gals were walking around with their M-16's....It would scare the crap outa anyone thinking of anything.

[Fred Hayek]

I do not consider San Francisco to be part of the United States. How about requiring Air Force people to file a report under AFR 205-57 when they come in contact with a San Franciscan? That reg applied for contacts with Soviets/Eastern Bloc/anyone from a hostile country.

[FairOpinion]

The TSA also issued "guidelines" against discrimination against terrorists, right after 9-11-01.

http://airconsumer.ost.dot.gov/rules/20011012.htm

October 12, 2001

Carrying Out Transportation Inspection and Safety Responsibilities
In A Nondiscriminatory Manner

This is a reminder to Department of Transportation (DOT) employees and those carrying out transportation inspection and enforcement responsibilities with DOT financial support of longstanding DOT policy prohibiting unlawful discrimination against individuals because of their race, color, religion, ethnicity, or national origin. The terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, have raised concerns about intimidation and harassment directed at individuals who are, or are perceived to be, of Arab, Middle Eastern, or South Asian descent and/or Muslim.

Do not subject persons or their property to inspection, search and/or detention solely because they appear to be Arab, Middle Eastern, Asian, and/or Muslim; or solely because they speak Arabic, Farsi, or another foreign language; or solely because they speak with an accent that may lead you to believe they are Arab, Middle Eastern, Asian, and/or Muslim.

Be aware of inspection/search practices that might be offensive: during an inspection, asking a woman to remove her veil or hair covering may be offensive and could violate her religious tenets and asking a Sikh man to remove his turban could violate his religious tenets.

[texasbluebell]

San Fran Sicko, as Michael Savage calls his town!

[dog breath]

This is sad I was not aware that they were doing this at American Airports. I would think that the government could rectify this situation if motivated to do so.

[blogblogginaway]

Disrespectful unamerican pigs! How dare they dis our soldiers!!

[SouthTexas]

My thoughts exactly!!!

This is unacceptable PERIOD!!!

[ArmyTeach]

In my worst nightmares I have been waiting for something like this to happen. I was in college and grad school in California in the 60s and I remember.
Message to my family in California north of SF: I will not be visiting you again if it means coming through SFO.

[SIDENET]

I do not consider San Francisco to be part of the United States

I don't, either.

Heck, I don't think San Franciscans consider themselves to be part of the US.

[SpyGuy]

If you want to know why the communists in San Francisco don't want US troops landing there and disembarking, it's because they're afraid that this will be the reaction:

http://www.big-boys.com/articles/superbowl30.html

(Note: it's a slow video download, so be patient. It's worth watching and it will pick-up your spirits after reading this infuriating article.)

[kralcmot]

yes and its a good thing you noticed it. otherwise we might not understand the problem.

thanks.

[Congressman Billybob]

I want to be pinged when the ^sshole in Security who made this decision is assigned to his new post, counting icicles on the airport terminal in Kodiak, Alaska, in Burmuda shorts and an Hawaiian shirt.

Congressman Billybob

Latest column, "Condi Rice & Pierce Flanigan's Father's Hat"

[FairOpinion]

http://www.big-boys.com/articles/superbowl30.html


Oh, this is so GREAT! Thanks for posting it!

Americans do love our troops.

The spontaneous reaction was wonderful to watch.

[FairOpinion]

Great video about our troops.

http://www.big-boys.com/articles/superbowl30.html

(posted by Spy Guy -- post 52 on this thread)

[Fred Hayek]

Not Kodiak. Prudhoe Bay. If you think Hell doesn't freeze over, you ain't been to Prudhoe Bay. Plus lots of North Slope roughnecks to give him lots of crap.

[Congressman Billybob]

I was just guessing as to what is the coldest place in Alaska that most Freepers would know by name. My wife has been to ANWAR, and most inhabited places in Alaska. My knowledge of the place, however, is spotty.

Billybob

[PhiKapMom]

I remember that regulation -- that would work for me -- SF hasn't changed in all these years and gets worse! There is not enough money in the world to make me live there!

[DoughtyOne]

San Francisco continues to be the absolute worst place in America...

You could have stopped right there!