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  #1  
Old 08-13-2004, 01:47 PM
MedMech
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Seeing stuff like this make the news worth reading

I love it when snotty reporters get whacked


Aero-News Alert: Non-Aviation Media Trying To Discredit GA

Fri, 13 Aug '04
American Association of Airport Executives issues alert, reports NBC trying to set up GA facilities and FBO's

Rebecca Morrison, Staff Vice President, Transportation Security Policy Department at the American Association of Airport Executives, has transmitted the following memo and requested widest possible distribution:

The following is a description of an incident that occurred today (11 Aug) at the St. Louis Downtown Airport, a large GA facility. We are sharing this story with you as there are indications that it might be repeated throughout the country. We would like to thank Bob McDaniel, the Director at the St. Louis Downtown Airport, for sharing the details of the incident outlined below.

Earlier today two Middle Eastern men attempted to penetrate our security. They telephoned one of my helicopter FBOs and asked about a charter flight. After discussion of price and directions to the business, they arrived an hour later. When the office agent asked how they were going to pay for the flight they produced cash. When asked for ID, they produced driver’s licenses from two different states and they were driving a car licensed in a third state.

Things didn’t smell right so the mechanic took them into the hangar to see the aircraft while the office person called the FBI and local police. The helicopter they were going to fly was blocked in by other aircraft so the mechanic was able to stall them by having to slowly shuffle the blocking planes. Meanwhile the two men got their backpacks and odd-shaped luggage out of their car. Soon the local police arrived and they were hauled off to jail in handcuffs.

After a little time behind bars, the FBI verified that the two men were employed by NBC New York and were on assignment to get a story of how easy it is to charter a helicopter for a terrorist attack. The men had stayed in a local hotel and purchased box cutters, leather-man knives, and other potential weapons at the local Wal-Mart using a credit card. The box cutters had been hidden in the lining at the bottom of the back packs and the other weapons were hidden throughout their baggage. They had audiotaped the telephone conversation with Arlene and were going to use it as part of a national news story about how easy it is to get information and directions to the location of the helicopter and then hijack it to commit a terrorist attack.

I doubt they will be back at our airport soon and this is a story that will never be seen since they were caught. A very “well-done” to my FBO and staff and the local FBI and police response forces. We have since learned that we were the first airport where this had been attempted and NBC planned to attempt similar penetration stories around the country. Please help me spread the word to other airports

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  #2  
Old 08-13-2004, 02:01 PM
Emu Rancher
 
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: Washington, DC
Posts: 664
Wow thats pretty interesting. The moral of the story is watch out for suspicious middle eastern men because they might be working for NBC and out to make you look bad on tv. I'm sure this will have people on their toes.
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W126 1983 300SD 286,000 miles and ticking
Baby blue exterior Grey MB tex
Recent work:
Replaced air cleaner mounting brackets and heat shields
Replaced alternator, fan and power steering belts
Replaced positive battery terminal
Replaced negative battery terminal and cord
New Duralast Battery

My car needs work.
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  #3  
Old 08-13-2004, 02:03 PM
KirkVining's Avatar
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Join Date: Apr 2004
Posts: 5,303
When I first saw that story I thought it was a hoax. But it seems to be true. NBC should be ashamed of itself - this is unethical, and these idiots could have wound up dead. Then they could have reported that 9 out of 10 people would kill middle eastern looking MFs with box cutters and anthrax trying to get on a helicopter. Amazing.
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Old 08-13-2004, 02:23 PM
GermanStar's Avatar
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Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: Fountain Hills, AZ
Posts: 4,932
Why didn't they report the story as it happened and laud those they were attempting to dupe? It's only a story if a failure's involved, right -- well what about their failure? If the a-holes had any stones at all, they would congratulate the folks that foiled their stupid little plot and do so in the public venue they call home.
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Old 08-13-2004, 04:25 PM
webwench
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Quote:
Originally Posted by KirkVining
When I first saw that story I thought it was a hoax. But it seems to be true. NBC should be ashamed of itself - this is unethical, and these idiots could have wound up dead. Then they could have reported that 9 out of 10 people would kill middle eastern looking MFs with box cutters and anthrax trying to get on a helicopter. Amazing.
Actually, there's a pretty long tradition in journalism of working 'undercover' in this manner. I don't personally think it's an unethical technique, although it's rather stupid of them to actually bring box cutters.

I'd have far more respect for the news organization involved if they air a special highlighting how they were foiled when they tried to gain entry to an aircraft while behaving suspiciously. But we all know that will never happen.

Quote:
Originally Posted by narwhal
What about the G D#$ned Patriot Act? Weren't they posing as terrorists? Shouldn't they be arrested and charged with something?
I'll agree with this 100%. If a person can be arrested for making a joke about a bomb in line at a major commercial airport, these guys should be subjected to the same fate for actually conspiring to bring weapons onboard an aircraft without the knowledge of the pilot.

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