Posted on 02/04/2014 10:31:21 AM PST by Timber Rattler
What was expected to be a routine stopover at Bangor International Airport for a plane filled with returning U.S. troops and defense contractors Sunday night instead became a frustrating ordeal for many of those aboard.
For the 102 U.S. troops returning from Afghanistan and Kuwait on Delta flight 8964, getting off the plane was fairly routine and featured a hero’s welcome from the Maine Troop Greeters in attendance.
It was a different story for the 112 Department of Defense contractors — those hired to fly drones, do intelligence analysis, fix computers and other jobs — some of whom were kept on the plane for more than seven hours as their baggage was methodically inspected and cleared through U.S. Customs.
(Excerpt) Read more at stripes.com ...
Actually they aren’t even government employees, they are contractors. I’m sure they will be paid well for their time. Sounds as if there was a tip off that contractors have been carrying contraband from A-stan and Customs is doing their job. Not as if it hasn’t happened before...
SFO is not a military airport and there were no MP`s nor AIP`s there then. There was ZERO security at SFO. Only uniformed people there besides GI`s were the hari krishnas.
I had to laugh at that. Oh how I hated the Hari Krishna’s at the airport.
The best time I had though was at Sea-Tac and the Scientologists and the Hari’s started in on each other. It was a real hoot... almost better than some of the free entertainment on the 8:20PM subway to the Staten Island Ferry docks.
Dang ... best guess is Maine seceded again.
For years the Bangor Troop greeters have welcomed home tens of thousands of troops. Every flight. Day or night.
A couple years ago I was in the Bangor area on business. I checked with flight ops. There was an inbound troop flight due in at 3 AM. I drove over from my hotel in a mild snow storm. there were at least 30 people there to greet that plane. I’m 62, and I think I was the youngest there.
“
My compliments to you and those there.
“The Way We Get By” is a pretty good documentary on the troop greeters at Bangor.
Have they overthrown Customs for their error? Will take a look at the documentary. Oh and Thank You.
I’m not stupid enough to be in Washington.
Have run a search and think I have found the documentary. Know it will be excellent viewing. Once more, my Thanks!
Also found a bit of background on the making of the documentary ... for those unaware.
Active Duty ping.
As pilot in command, I would greet them at the door. Open anything they asked to be opened. We complied with every request. If you even made the effort to take care of them, they took care of you. Anytime we got hassled it was become someone was a jerk and asked for it.
Most times, the agents would shake my hand, say welcome home, and tell us "you're good."
Most of these folks are not your typical TSA flunkie. They are far above that.
But, everyone knew you didn't mess with them or their jobs. They have the authority to delay, detain, and fine you. So does every customs, no matter what the country. We had a stupid co-pilot who tried to sneak food through Australian Customs. He learned. Turkish Customs was the worst, but the US Customs treatment in Hawaii was not far behind.
If you’ve seen the documentary
Mr night died on Christmas Day.
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