Posted on 06/26/2002 8:39:08 AM PDT by Sir Gawain
Plane diverted to Detroit because federal officer had gun
Romulus, Michigan-AP -- A Detroit Airport spokesman is saying "Oops."
A Chicago-bound American Airlines flight made an emergency landing in Detroit -- after crew members learned a federal employee aboard hadn't warned airline officials that he was armed.
The U-S postal inspector had identified himself at a security checkpoint before getting on the plane in Newburgh, New York -- but failed to submit the proper paperwork.
After learning of the man's presence, the airline verified his identity and notified the flight crew, which landed the plane.
The inspector was questioned and released.
According to Detroit Airport spokesman Michael Conway, "Everybody said, `Oops.'"
How did he get the gun through "security"?
Well I feel secure knowing the USPS has armed inspectors but the feds want to take guns away from us.
You are right but do you realize how stupid it sounds to let a "Postal Inspector" carry a gun on an airplane? What if he goes postal?
I suppose the unarmed pilots could stop him by licking his envelope!
All honest US Citizens should stop flying whenever possible. Stick it to the airlines.
The USPS can't even delivery the mail reliably and their inspectors have guns! These guys with the post office would be the LAST people I want to have guns!
Not that I advocate them being armed on a plane or not. However, if the plane was transporting mail -- not at all uncommon, the inspector would be within his authorization to carry a weapon. At least that is how I understand postal reguations.
However, I believe FAA regulations requre that all federal officers under go specific training before being allowed to board a plane armed.
There were two breakdowns in the system in this case.
First, the Postal Inspector knows or should have known the procedure for taking his weapon on the aircraft (i.e. filling out the proper paperwork and submitting it too the airline).
Second, the check point security personnel should not have allowed him past security without the paperwork.
Is this the same training recieved by the FBI thug that shot the wrong person in his car in Maryland (?) a few months ago? Or maybe the same training the shooters at Ruby Ridge received? Or the same training the Waco killers received?
Ah, the special class in this country keeps making laws for themselves and the hell with the rest of us. 4 hours of training is all that is required? Hmmmmm!
So if a pilot who already has people's lives in his/her hands takes 4 hours of training will they be allowed to carry? Nooooooooo! They are not members of the special class!
Bureaucracy Uber Alles!
Since this discussion is about Federal Officers flying armed, lets stick to the topic.
Ah, the special class in this country keeps making laws for themselves and the hell with the rest of us. 4 hours of training is all that is required? Hmmmmm!
No, the Federal Law Enforcement Officers did not make this law, the law makers (Congress) made the law. The same Congress that can not fly armed. Also, the four hours of training about carrying weapons on board, not shooting or engaging another armed passenger. As a matter of fact, it is stressed that armed LEO’s should not engage and should do nothing but observe and report. Of course if it looks like things will go bad, then the individual officer must make his own decision on his course of action.
So if a pilot who already has people's lives in his/her hands takes 4 hours of training will they be allowed to carry? Nooooooooo! They are not members of the special class!
They should be able too. Also, I think all Federal, State and Local Law Enforcement Officers should be allowed to fly armed.
Yes pilots are members of a special class, it’s called PILOTS.
Who the hell are you, the topic inspector? I was discussing the topic are you reading impaired? Training is an issue. The proven actions of other federal trash operatives is germane to the issue. Or do you just need an excuse to stop the debate?
"No, the Federal Law Enforcement Officers did not make this law, the law makers (Congress) made the law. "
You know damned well that is not what I meant but that does not stop your type does it?
"Yes pilots are members of a special class, it’s called PILOTS. "
How many other "special classes would you like to have in this country? Pilots are good, bad, trustworthy, untrustworthy, smart, and dumb, just like the rest of us. You seem, and I stress seem, to think I have taken a swipe at pilots. No I did not. If we can trust them to operate a plane properly, I have no problem trusting them with guns in the cockpit.
I trust Pilots more than ANY federal employee. In the private sector if we do not like someone, something, some action, we can go to another firm. Try the same thing with the over-empowered JBTs in the federal government.
"Also, I think all Federal, State and Local Law Enforcement Officers should be allowed to fly armed"
No thank you!You obviously have never dealt with the NY State police or the can't shoot straight Buffalo, NY police have you? No thanks, I'll pass on your world of only trusting a government agent. History is replete with LEO's abusing their authority.
The only partial exception I make in my absolute distrust of government is our Military. Yes, they have made mistakes but on the whole they do their job as defined by the laws of the USA even while under command of the biggest piece of government trash the USA has ever seen, BC.
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