NBC news stupidity

You might express you outrage to this irresponsible act to
I did. Now to sit back and see their spin on the stupidity.

Cy Galley
Safety Programs Editor
EAA Sport Pilot
----- Original Message -----






To: AAAE Transportation Security Services Committee

AAAE Non Hub/General Aviation Committee

AAAE Regulatory Membership



From: Rebecca Morrison
- Staff Vice President,
Transportation Security Policy Department, AAAE



Attempted Security Breach at GA Facility



Date: August 11, 2004



The following is a description of an incident that occurred today 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 helm me spread the word to other airports.





Please do not hesitate to contact us with any questions or comments.





**********************************

Rebecca K. Morrison

Staff Vice President, Transportation Security Policy

American Association of Airport Executives

601 Madison Street, Suite 400

Alexandria, VA 22314

703 797-2524
Fax: 703 820-1395