Airport found legitimate in troop treatment (OAK denies returning troops access to food, bathrooms)

Washington Times ^ | 1/31/08 | Audrey Hudson

[LibWhacker]

By Audrey Hudson - The Oakland International Airport did not break any laws or regulations when it denied 200 Marines and soldiers access to the passenger terminal during a layover last year from Iraq to the troops' home base in Hawaii, the Transportation Department says.

Calvin L. Scovell III, the department's inspector general, blamed the mix-up on security concerns and a communication failure between the Defense Department and the Homeland Security Department.

The contract to allow military layovers at the California airport "did not require that military personnel have access to the airport terminal; it only required that military personnel be allowed to deplane and stretch their legs on stops lasting over one hour," said a report released yesterday to House lawmakers who requested an investigation into the matter.

[donnab]

Much easier at San Jose anyway. I will never fly into Oakland.

[El Gato]

A Marine reported the incident to Rep. John L. Mica, Florida Republican and ranking member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, and said it "felt like being spit on."

I'm sure the folks would have liked to spit on the Marines. But I guess they just weren't brave little military loathers.

[xrmusn]

Last I heard the troops were on OUR side. You can imagine if they had landed at a Military Base and OAK didn’t get its landing and takeoff fees what the stink would have been.
As a Vet, I take umbrage that these GS W2ers question my intentions etc, especially the fractured English ones, Lord knows what my reaction would be if I were on Active Duty....

[maine-iac7]

Along with Berkley just telling the Marines they aren't wanted in their city = but they embrace Code Pink -

Time to pull any Federal Funds they receive for anything. NOW

Meanwhile, back here in Maine, there has not been ONE plane of returning/leaving troops arrive at Bangor National Airport since the GULF WAR that has not been met by a welcoming committee..

Here's a story from last summer when they reached the 500,000 milestone...

http://bangornews.com/news/t/news.aspx?articleid=153324&zoneid=500

This is also where a troop plane crossed paths Air Force One - and got a surprise visit.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A45682-2004Sep23.html

[metmom]

Airport officials were concerned that the flight’s ground staff could not provide “an adequate level of escort and control of such a large group of military personnel in or around the terminal area,” the inspector’s report said.

Un-stinkin'-real. THEY were concerned about the level of CONTROL over a group of military personnel that has been laying their lives on the line for our freedom?

What the heck did they think these guys were going to do? Slaughter civilians, like the muzzies would?

[RobinOfKingston]

If we can trust our nation’s life to our military (and I think we can) we can certainly trust them to conduct themselves appropriately going in out of the airport restrooms and the on site Burger King.

[AFreeBird]

Huh?

It was 200 Marines, right? Like, any normal flight that might be deplaning at any given time. And Oakland Airport can't handle that?

B-U-L-L $#!t

Security: What 200 Marines can't secure themselves?

B-U-L-L $#!t

Oh, they were worried that the Marines were going to take over the airport?

Like the entire staff of TSA and local PD are going to take on 200 battle hardened Marines.

Bwahahahaha

[El Gato]

“Airport officials were concerned that the flight’s ground staff could not provide “an adequate level of escort and control of such a large group of military personnel in or around the terminal area,” the inspector’s report said.”

200 people is about the same number that get off a large jet flight, and that happens dozens of times a day at any airport. It's a drop in the bucket compared to the total passengers milling around.

If security was some sort of concern (These are US Marines, so they are highly unlikely to be terrorists, and you can be sure their NCOs would assure that no weapons came off the aircraft anyway.)

Marines are going to take a whole less "escort and control" (well unless you are a Marine NCO or Officer, ya can't control them anyway) than a bunch of college or high school students on spring break or a field trip. I saw almost that many kids getting onto the shuttle to the gates in Orlando on Monday, all girls, and probably a lot more "out of control" than the Marines.

[RVN Airplane Driver]

Everyday at the DFW airport there is a Welcome Home Heroes program where folks numbering anywhere from a 50 - 500 greet the troops as they come home for 2 wk. R & R. It has gotten national aclaim...I am a proud part of that program when time permits. If you have any time the next time you are in town go to B-37 and see where this happens..

[MediaMole]

On a smaller scale, I’ve seen travelers applaud as individual service members have come through the airport in Milwaukee.

The people in Bangor deserve a lot of credit for their kind treatment of the troops who travel through their city.

[maine-iac7]

With more than a hatfull of big mistakes, it is hard to tell what is the biggest. [Bush's mistakes]

Surely, you Bush Bashers won't mind a little 'fair and balanced' reminder - not that I give a rat's rump if you do. Keep in mind, this list if from 2004, so not everything is here. I know most wont read it - but it's worth scanning and there may be some who want to copy it - It's an old FR thread - go to post # 6

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1096125/posts There's also this article that came out this month (well, January) - a great read.

THE LEGACY

http://www.opinionjournal.com/forms/printThis.html?id=110011098

I post these links for FR's who can think on more than one cylinder -

[packrat35]

Thank you and the good people there for their good work welcoming our soldiers, sailors, and marines.

[papasmurf]

Thanks for that link about Bush and AF-1, good read.

[Theophilus]

Surely, you Bush Bashers

I think President Bush is a fantastic President.

I also think that Homeland Security was his biggest mistake.

[papasmurf]

“unless you are a Marine NCO or Officer,”

Better duck! LOL!

[RobinOfKingston]

I am not a Bush hater. The man has done much right. Not everything he has touched has turned to gold. It is good, for president and citizen alike, that there is an eight year maximum on the presidency.

[LoneRangerMassachusetts]

"Homeland Security Department"

President Bush's biggest mistake.

Umm. Bush doesn't think so. He has managed to add more chains to Americans, a consequence of success in his mind.

[Bernard]

Too bad these troops had to make a stopover in a foreign country in order to get back to their home base. And this is the same government that wants to administer health care for all residents.

It's also too bad that passing a common sense test is not a requirement for running an airport.

"Put your left hand on your right ear, your right hand on your left ear, and pull. When you hear a large popping sound, that means your head has been removed from your ..."

[informavoracious]

How the Marines were mistreated was dead wrong. That being said, Oakland is not a large airport by any means I fly in and out of OAK often. Easy parking and you don’t have to walk for miles to your gate or baggage claim. I don’t know what timd of day they landed but they roll up the sidewalks at night. This may not have been an intentional snub—never underestimate simple incompetence.

[AliVeritas]

Who better to do as they please as those who fight for this country? These aren’t your everyday Dick and Jane’s laying over... who do as they please. They too are citizens, and more than citizens.

There’s got to be a military reason from ‘up high’; You know those who came in during the Clinton days still here. I’d hate to think it’s only litigious. Otherwise, Oakland is free to secede and not to expect any military services, nor the bases, posts, contracts, research attached. Terror warning... you’re on your own, attacked, too bad. Maybe if personnel left and hit their pockets... oh, and pull those funds from DC, all of them.