NBC News Attempt To Discredit GA

This story HAS been verified and addressed by Phil Boyer of AOPA.
Check their webpage for Phil's comment and challenge. Also, you
should email your feelings of disgust to

Sent: Thursday, August 12, 2004 2:41 PM
Subject: PASS THE WORD: NBC is actively trying to discredit GA


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 help me spread the word to other airports.

This seems incredibly dangerous. A lot of pilots have made the decision to
never allow themselves to be hijacked, no matter what. So these 'reporters'
start pulling out knives or other weapons:

My instinct would be to kill them without hesitation. Nor would I believe
them if they started claiming that they were only reporters. Any hijacker
could claim that.

Man that's a good point! Never thought of that.

On Fri, 13 Aug 2004 01:11:05 -0700, "C J Campbell"
wrote:

This seems incredibly dangerous. A lot of pilots have made the decision to
never allow themselves to be hijacked, no matter what. So these 'reporters'
start pulling out knives or other weapons:

My instinct would be to kill them without hesitation. Nor would I believe
them if they started claiming that they were only reporters. Any hijacker
could claim that.

My instinct would be to kill them without hesitation.

And exactly how would you do that in flight?
If memory serves well a cockpit of a GA aircraft or helicopter is not
the best of places to practice unarmed combat techniques.
Personally I have difficulties enough to (un)fold a sectional, taking
somebody out will be somewhat more challenging I suppose.

Who is talking about an unarmed fight? "Just like an NBC reporter, bringing
a Leatherman tool to a gunfight." Seriously, I would destroy the airplane
before letting a terrorist have it.

My email to NBC:
***************************

I read with disgust and contempt of your reporter's attempt to "expose"
security lapses at a St Louis airport.

The relentless and unfair "piling on" General Aviation to instill unwarranted
fear in a population that is basically ignorant about aviation is a disservice.
NBC News loses credibility when these stories are pursued for sensationalism
and ratings. Shame on you.

General Aviation had NOTHING to do with 911 or terrorism. Innocent law-abiding
pilots who earn a living flying are being unfairly scapegoated because we are a
small and un-influential constituency.

I have lost all my respect for your organization. Chet Huntley is spinning in
his grave.



Lee Ross
New York
www.Rosspilot.com

"Rosspilot" wrote:
My email to NBC:
***************************

I read with disgust and contempt of your reporter's attempt to
"expose"
security lapses at a St Louis airport.

The relentless and unfair "piling on" General Aviation to instill
unwarranted
fear in a population that is basically ignorant about aviation is a
disservice.

I think it's worse than that. We have a President running for
reelection with pundits saying his best bet is to stir up this ****
even more. And the first apparent incident of attempted commandeering
of a GA aircraft is by the media, where the result could have been
stirring it up even worse. And a media they say is liberal and wants
Bush defeated. NBC's reasoning in this is baffling, or maybe a
conspiracy between the Bush campaign and NBC....?

Fred F.

"C J Campbell" wrote in message ...

This seems incredibly dangerous. A lot of pilots have made the decision to
never allow themselves to be hijacked, no matter what. So these 'reporters'
start pulling out knives or other weapons:

My instinct would be to kill them without hesitation. Nor would I believe
them if they started claiming that they were only reporters. Any hijacker
could claim that.

Bloody awesome story. Great catch by the FBO team, and a reminder to
the rest of us that it's not just terrorists we need to be vigilant
against. The more we prove we can police ourselves well, the less the
public will demand government agencies to do it for us.

I strongly doubt these guys had any intention of pulling their toys
out in flight, but rather simply wanted to prove they had been able to
get them on. Even a reporter couldn't be that stupid.

-cwk.

"TaxSrv" wrote in message
...
"Rosspilot" wrote:
My email to NBC:
***************************

I read with disgust and contempt of your reporter's attempt to
"expose"
security lapses at a St Louis airport.

The relentless and unfair "piling on" General Aviation to instill
unwarranted
fear in a population that is basically ignorant about aviation is a
disservice.

I think it's worse than that. We have a President running for
reelection with pundits saying his best bet is to stir up this ****
even more. And the first apparent incident of attempted commandeering
of a GA aircraft is by the media, where the result could have been
stirring it up even worse. And a media they say is liberal and wants
Bush defeated. NBC's reasoning in this is baffling, or maybe a
conspiracy between the Bush campaign and NBC....?

It makes a lot of sense when you consider that both the liberal media and
the Democrats have been saying that Bush is ignoring important terrorism
issues. If Kerry is elected, expect a lot more restrictions on GA.

"C Kingsbury" wrote:
I strongly doubt these guys had any intention of pulling their toys
out in flight, but rather simply wanted to prove they had been able to
get them on. Even a reporter couldn't be that stupid.

You might want to refrain from estimating the intelligence of your average
news critter. You'd be surprised how high even your lowest estimate could
be...

Russell Kent