Three area congressmen reached out to diplomats Thursday seeking the release of two Long Island pilots whose passports were confiscated by Brazilian officials after their jet was involved in a mid-air collision over the Amazon jungle.
And the Ronkonkoma firm that employs the pilots urged against a rush to judgment by officials in Brazil, where emotions are running high over the crash that killed 155.
"I urge you to do all that you can to see that these Americans are allowed to return home immediately," Rep. Peter King (R-Seaford) wrote Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice after being contacted by ExcelAire of Long Island MacArthur Airport. King said he was concerned for the safety of Joseph Lepore, 42, of Bay Shore and Jan Paladino, 34, of Westhampton Beach.
Rep. Steve Israel (D-Huntington) contacted the U.S. consul general in Brazil about the matter, too.
[snip]
Paladino was an American Airlines pilot furloughed after Sept. 11 and could be recalled.
Capt. Sam Mayer, chairman of The Allied Pilots Association, which represents American's pilots, said some members are refusing flights to Brazil because of the statements made by officials there.
I'm really beginning to wonder about our 'friends' to the south of us, but also feel that the hunt for sound bites to fuel the twenty-four hour news cycle is much to blame for this.