Posted on 01/05/2002 1:56:21 AM PST by ImphClinton
N E W Y O R K, Jan. 4 — An American Airlines passenger says he believes an Arab-American Secret Service agent who was kicked off a Christmas Day flight was targeted because of his ethnicity.
"I feel he was most likely removed from the plane — obviously I wasn't privy to the paperwork or that he was a Secret Service [agent] or such — but I think he fit a profile," the passenger, Mark Pueschel, said today on ABCNEWS' Good Morning America.
Pueschel had been seated next to the agent as the American Airlines flight prepared to take off from Baltimore to Dallas. The agent, who was armed, was on his way to work at President Bush's ranch in Crawford, Texas. He was removed from the flight after the captain questioned the validity of his credentials.
Pueschel contacted the Council of Arab-American Relations after seeing a press release on the incident.
Bush 'Madder Than Heck' If Discrimination Seen
Bush told reporters last week he would be "madder than heck" if a government inquiry into the incident found that one of his Secret Service protectors was the victim of discrimination.
The agent demanded an apology from the airline through his attorneys at a news conference Thursday. The agent, whose identity has not been released, did not attend because he was on a security detail and not available for comment in person, his attorneys said. They read a statement in which he said he did not have a vendetta against American Airlines.
"It has never been my desire to make this incident personal," the statement said. "This case is only about the facts. I love my job, and I want to thank my fellow agents for all their support. God bless America."
American Airlines officials have said the agent was removed at the pilot's request because of "inconsistencies" in the paperwork he filed that is required of all federal agents flying on commercial airlines. Religion and ethnicity, American Airlines said, had nothing to do with his removal.
The pilot also released a statement saying the agent was "confrontational" and "abusive."
Christy Lopez, an attorney for the agent, said the agent was a victim of discrimination: "We believe the captain is using that as an excuse for taking him off the plane, but it is quite clear he took him off the plane for other reasons."
The agent has not ruled out filing a lawsuit against American Airlines, Lopez said. He still seeks an amicable resolution of the incident, but he wants airline officials to review their practices so no one else is victimized, she said.
Airline Calls Accusation 'Frivolous'
In a statement, American Airlines called the agent's claims "frivolous" and supported the pilot's actions, saying they were based on concerns for the security and safety of the passengers and crew.
"American carries out its security obligations according to the guidelines provided by the federal government," the airline's statement said. "Those guidelines are applied equally among all passengers, and the company vigorously resents any suggestion of racial discrimination."
Later dude!
You are such a Fredo!!
In this case he had concerns, which were also noted by other crew members, he attempted to correct and or validate his concerns, and finally made a decision that he was fully entitled to make. Yes he could have made other calls. Yes he probably should have in the "90 minutes" available to him.
OTH, the agent also had 90 minutes to complete the form which he was asked to. He failed to do this on two occasions. That same time could have been used to ask for a meeting with the AA operations maanger at the airport. But instead it turned into a pissing match.
Both sides erred, but one erred on the side of safety.
As for this agent trying to find a means of improving security, he had a job to do, he was on his way to do it, and he could discuss it with most powerful man in the world at his leasure.
It doesn't matter anyway, an Airline Captain is like a Navy Captain, at sea, they are god!!
"It was the pilot who was rude, unprofessional and demeaning," attorney Christy Lopez said at a news conference Thursday.
They repeat the Airlines Allegations but offer no other independent verification. The Pilot claims a Police Officer wittnessed the Agent being disruptive. Wonder if this will pan out. They sure didn't offer his name or account.
You are making an incredible amount of sense!
I salute your good sense!!
If they say it, it ain't true!!
As planned.
Many Americans will be at risk if airline boarding becomes another victim of the leftist PC propaganda of the socialists.
Geesh! Are we ever going to get over this desire to demonize anyone of middle-eastern descent?
Some people are so quick to the defense of an airline industry that is renowned for treating passengers like dirt.
Because maybe he had a few things to do such as check the plane out for takeoff.
This will cost lives, folks. It is not right to bring PC pressure on pilots. It will ultimately cloud their judgement and may result in a passenger with genacidal tendencies being seated.
America's Fifth Column ... watch PBS documentary JIHAD! In America
Download 8 Mb zip file here (60 minute video)
Really? How do you know this? Were you there? I think the airline thought they were doing the right thing, but when they realized they were dealing with not only a SS agent, but one on the Presidential detail, they began a major CYA campaign.
Airline employees have a lot of guts to talk about this guy being rude and abusive.
I don't know what to make of this whole story, I'll wait till more facts come out.
They are like the Triple A of Secret Service!
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