spacemanspiff
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not being able to fall asleep or be served alcohol, per the airlines guidelines.
http://www.adn.com/news/alaska/stor...p-6263597c.html
Agent's gun on flight raises brows, concerns
SECURITY: Firearm seen under TSA officer's jacket led to a "heated discussion" with attendant.
By DOUG O'HARRA
Anchorage Daily News
Published: April 16th, 2005
Last Modified: April 16th, 2005 at 03:46 AM
Anchorage-bound passengers on a flight from Seattle caught sight of a firearm under the jacket of a federal officer while he walked down the airliner's aisle on Friday afternoon, leading to a "heated discussion" between a flight attendant and the agent, said airline spokeswoman Caroline Boren.
Officials from the Transportation Security Administration and the Anchorage airport police met the flight when it landed at Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport. They confirmed that the TSA law enforcement officer was authorized to be armed on that flight while traveling to an assignment, according to Amy Von Walter, TSA spokeswoman in Virginia, and Anchorage airport spokeswoman Jennifer Payne.
"We are aware of the incident, and it's a TSA matter," added FBI special agent Eric Gonzales in Anchorage. "Based on what we know, the flight wasn't in danger."
The pilot contacted law enforcement in Anchorage after passengers reported the weapon to the attendant, who subsequently "had words" with the agent that went beyond the issue of the weapon getting seen, Boren said.
"Apparently, the TSA special agent commented on our policy (that) any special agent who's armed can't consume alcohol on the flight and can't go to sleep," she said. "It sounded like the conversation related to that policy."
The identity of the TSA agent, who is not stationed in Anchorage, was not released.
Corky Caldwell, federal security director for the TSA in Anchorage, said the Alaska Airlines pilot reported the presence of an armed agent but never mentioned anything about an argument over airline policies.
"I certainly would be concerned anytime that someone sees a weapon on a plane, but those are things that need to be investigated," Caldwell added. "If in fact the guy had a gun exposed, that doesn't make a lot of sense to me. Anytime anyone is authorized to carry a weapon on an aircraft, they should be very discreet."
TSA will investigate the incident, Von Walter said.
Alaska Flight 1 carried 120 passengers aboard a 737-700 aircraft, Boren said. "It was a full flight."
Daily News reporter Doug O'Harra can be reached at do'harra@adn.com.
http://www.adn.com/news/alaska/stor...p-6263597c.html
Agent's gun on flight raises brows, concerns
SECURITY: Firearm seen under TSA officer's jacket led to a "heated discussion" with attendant.
By DOUG O'HARRA
Anchorage Daily News
Published: April 16th, 2005
Last Modified: April 16th, 2005 at 03:46 AM
Anchorage-bound passengers on a flight from Seattle caught sight of a firearm under the jacket of a federal officer while he walked down the airliner's aisle on Friday afternoon, leading to a "heated discussion" between a flight attendant and the agent, said airline spokeswoman Caroline Boren.
Officials from the Transportation Security Administration and the Anchorage airport police met the flight when it landed at Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport. They confirmed that the TSA law enforcement officer was authorized to be armed on that flight while traveling to an assignment, according to Amy Von Walter, TSA spokeswoman in Virginia, and Anchorage airport spokeswoman Jennifer Payne.
"We are aware of the incident, and it's a TSA matter," added FBI special agent Eric Gonzales in Anchorage. "Based on what we know, the flight wasn't in danger."
The pilot contacted law enforcement in Anchorage after passengers reported the weapon to the attendant, who subsequently "had words" with the agent that went beyond the issue of the weapon getting seen, Boren said.
"Apparently, the TSA special agent commented on our policy (that) any special agent who's armed can't consume alcohol on the flight and can't go to sleep," she said. "It sounded like the conversation related to that policy."
The identity of the TSA agent, who is not stationed in Anchorage, was not released.
Corky Caldwell, federal security director for the TSA in Anchorage, said the Alaska Airlines pilot reported the presence of an armed agent but never mentioned anything about an argument over airline policies.
"I certainly would be concerned anytime that someone sees a weapon on a plane, but those are things that need to be investigated," Caldwell added. "If in fact the guy had a gun exposed, that doesn't make a lot of sense to me. Anytime anyone is authorized to carry a weapon on an aircraft, they should be very discreet."
TSA will investigate the incident, Von Walter said.
Alaska Flight 1 carried 120 passengers aboard a 737-700 aircraft, Boren said. "It was a full flight."
Daily News reporter Doug O'Harra can be reached at do'harra@adn.com.
