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Where in the world

By Michelle Malkin  •  October 2, 2007 08:37 AM

Update: The TSA sends a statement…

On Thursday, September 27, 2007 North American Airlines flight #1777 carrying soldiers and marines landed at Oakland International Airport from New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) where passengers were screened by U.S. Customs upon landing from overseas.

At no time were service men and women prohibited from entering the sterile area of Oakland International Airport by TSA personnel or regulations. Airport officials, the airline and ground handling company coordinated the arrival and all services associated with this flight, including refueling, refreshing supplies on the aircraft, maintenance checks and all passenger services.

TSA personnel across the country have worked closely with airports to ensure the utmost care when handling flights involving our troops and will continue to facilitate their movement to the greatest extent possible while ensuring a high level of security for all travelers.

Christopher White
Office of Strategic Communications and Public Affairs
Transportation Security Administration

Update: Jonathan at the OC Blog confronts an enraged TSA official. Read the whole thing.

Update: Here’s the video.

In my interview with Megyn Kelly, I mentioned the seditious, anti-war protests in Oakland in 2003 where war supply shipments were blocked. Here’s my column about it.

***

I’m scheduled to appear on Fox News at around 9:45am Eastern this morning to talk about what happened to our troops in Oakland. Lawmakers have requested an investigation of the incident.

See what others have said

Note from Michelle: This section is for comments from michellemalkin.com's community of registered readers. Please don't assume that I agree with or endorse any particular comment just because I let it stand. A reminder: Anyone who fails to comply with my terms of use may lose his or her posting privilege.

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Comments

  1. #1
    On October 2nd, 2007 at 8:45 am, BerryG said:

    The San Francisco mentality doesn’t have to go too far.It’s a short trip across the Bay Bridge.

  2. #2
    On October 2nd, 2007 at 8:45 am, katieanne said:

    I’ll be watching. So glad that this is being investigated. It was appalling. What is wrong with California? How can so many hate the military?

    Michelle, I miss seeing you on The Factor.

  3. #3
    On October 2nd, 2007 at 8:52 am, 30 pcs of silver said:

    Our troops deserve better…I hope and pray this brings about change.

  4. #4
    On October 2nd, 2007 at 8:52 am, trailortrash said:

    will be watching, :thumbsup:
    hope they dont talk over you like fox&friends did.

  5. #5
    On October 2nd, 2007 at 9:13 am, zorro said:

    I watched the live Vent broadcast last night at Hot Air, DVR is set! Thanks

  6. #6
    On October 2nd, 2007 at 9:41 am, reddawg9 said:

    I live in Orange County, but I am ashamed for the actions of the loons in SF.I cringe every times someone goes on the Factor defending the so called “SF values”

  7. #7
    On October 2nd, 2007 at 9:48 am, Tennessee Dave said:

    As Merle Haggard said in a song one time:

    I hear people talkin’ bad,
    About the way we have to live here in this country,
    Harpin’ on the wars we fight,
    An’ gripin’ ’bout the way things oughta be.
    An’ I don’t mind ‘em switchin’ sides,
    An’ standin’ up for things they believe in.
    When they’re runnin’ down my country, man,
    They’re walkin’ on the fightin’ side of me.

    He was singing to peace protesters during Vietnam, but it is oh so relevent today. The radio stations in California should play it all the time.

  8. #8
    On October 2nd, 2007 at 9:57 am, trailortrash said:

    good job MM :)

  9. #9
    On October 2nd, 2007 at 9:59 am, nikoyaka said:

    But then, again, between the airport security and a little inconvenience for our troops, i would choose the airport security. you never know, after all. remember, in “Sleeper Cell”, terrorists managed to smuggle the nuclear weapons in the coffin of fallen soldier from Iraq… but this is just my personal opinion!

  10. #10
    On October 2nd, 2007 at 9:59 am, ajmontana said:

    Harry “Tommy” Reid gets his pampers in a snit and KNEW all about this incident and not a word was spewed from his mouth instead aligning with the moron.org crowd and going after Rush. What a turd burper Reid is.

  11. #11
    On October 2nd, 2007 at 10:02 am, Luthien said:

    Nice little segment. Never knew about those protesters that tried to block medical supplies. Pretty disgusting stuff.

  12. #12
    On October 2nd, 2007 at 10:05 am, nikoyaka said:

    Plus, with this recent scandal around Blackwater contractors (who get paid hundreds times more than our troops, WTF?), you never know, again. These contractors get drunk, use drugs, and may easily try to smuggle the weapons into the country, and because of their behavior the reputation of our Army suffers, too! We should drop the contractors, and give that money to our troops, instead!

  13. #13
    On October 2nd, 2007 at 10:06 am, 30 pcs of silver said:

    Speaking of Airport security…
    http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap_travel/20071001/ap_tr_ge/travel_brief_airports_toy_screening_1

    You mean they weren’t checking this stuff already?

  14. #14
    On October 2nd, 2007 at 10:10 am, conservativehomeschooler said:

    Here’s a Californian who doesn’t believe this way!! At All! I love, respect, and have so much pride in our military (the best in the world!).

    Of course, I do live in San Diego which is soooo much different than San Fran!

  15. #15
    On October 2nd, 2007 at 10:12 am, ajmontana said:

    lol home,
    Everyplace is sooooo much different than S.F.

  16. #16
    On October 2nd, 2007 at 10:14 am, FloridaBill said:

    Missed the segment but give em heck Michelle!

  17. #17
    On October 2nd, 2007 at 10:15 am, nikoyaka said:

    What I am saying is that security of our borders and integrity of our government is a highest priority right now, when we are at war with terrorists. I would only encourage enforcement of survailance and airport checks, and without double standards. Everyone should go through that, EVEN our troops, and high military staff. Hell, even Congressmen and White House staff should be wiretaped and had gone through the background checks at least once a year. I am serious, people! No, I am not paranoid.. I just do not want to see our country fall apart as it happened to Soviet Union.

  18. #18
    On October 2nd, 2007 at 10:21 am, pressto said:

    Has anyone contacted someone who was actally on the plane yet besides just the one email? I would love to see a first hand interview with one of these soldiers.

  19. #19
    On October 2nd, 2007 at 10:23 am, 24Klady said:

    Great job MM. Wished the interview had been longer to present more of the details.

    nikoyaka #9 - your concern about our troops and airport security involves a fictional movie? Perhaps you could also point us to the evidence of Blackwater employees getting drunk, using drugs, and smuggling. The “scandal” involves a very unfriendly shooting incident. The military has clearly stated the job of protecting embassy and private industry personnel is not the military’s job.

  20. #20
    On October 2nd, 2007 at 10:26 am, almeehan said:

    Saw you this morning and as usual you looked great but weren’t given enough time. Are you off the Factor now? what happened?

  21. #21
    On October 2nd, 2007 at 10:30 am, tarpon said:

    Missed the segment, work has it’s problems. Hope you put it up on Hot Air :^)

  22. #22
    On October 2nd, 2007 at 10:31 am, nikoyaka said:

    to 24Klady:

    http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20071001/ap_on_go_co/blackwater_iraq

    Actual GOVERNMENT report is here;
    http://oversight.house.gov/documents/20071001121609.pdf

    I hope you are not one of those Fox-bashers? TV-series and movies producers usually consult with specialists about the content, and you would agree that most of the stuff in “Sleeper Cell” and “24″ does reflect reality - cooperation of Islamic terrorists with mexicans, need to use a little bit of torture sometimes to obtain information, bad coordination between our special services, etc.

  23. #23
    On October 2nd, 2007 at 10:33 am, nikoyaka said:

    “The military has clearly stated the job of protecting embassy and private industry personnel is not the military’s job”

    That is exactly my point. Why outsource the job that our soldiers can handle? For less money! The conduct of that “private industry personnel” ruines the reputation of our troops!

  24. #24
    On October 2nd, 2007 at 10:33 am, swj719AWG said:

    Michelle, why can’t you be on when I have a chance of seeing you?

    :(

    I guess I’ll have to hunt for the video footage online…

  25. #25
    On October 2nd, 2007 at 11:02 am, ajmontana said:

    nuttin wrong with a good hunt in the morning swj, just ask you’re gf mkh. :)

  26. #26
    On October 2nd, 2007 at 11:15 am, swj719AWG said:

    My gf?

    You been lookin’ in on my dreamin, bubba?

    :)

    Besides, if Eric sees that, he’ll come get me… ;)

  27. #27
    On October 2nd, 2007 at 11:21 am, swj719AWG said:

    Thanks for the video link Michelle. So helpful you are. :)

  28. #28
    On October 2nd, 2007 at 11:29 am, josetheguerilla said:

    MM,
    In the interview, Megan Kelly said the troops WERE cleared by TSA. If so why didn’t the pilot relay that to ground control? Now, I’m ticked, because I know it’s the job of Oakland Airfield Operations to know what planes have been screened, and which ones haven’t. Somewhere on the flight plan, or on some ATC tape it was relayed that the plane had received proper inspections by the TSA. If Oakland Airfield Operations was not sure they should have called the pilot before arrival, via Oakland center to verify. With this new information it really sounds to me that the decision to park the plane on a remote tarmac was negligent and deliberate. The pilot should have listed such inspections on his international flight plan (ICAO) in the comment section. An electronic copy is sent to Oakland Center, and then forwarded to Oakland Airfield Operations, and Oakland ATC ground. When Oakland Airfield Operations receives it, their suppose to confirm that all the proper agencies have been contacted. Oakland Airfield Operations would get this international flight plan at least 13 hours prior to landing. About FIVE hours Prior to landing they would get an IFR INBOUNDS from Oakland Center stating the intentions of the pilot to land at their airfield. Here again, is yet another chance to clear up any miscommunication. One-hour prior to landing, the pilot can call Oakland Air field Operations with a PHONE PATCH, to ensure which terminal he will be parking at. Yet again, if there is a problem, it should be vented at that time. New Bottom line: If the pilot did everything he was suppose to do, then one has to have the willing suspension of disbelief when it comes to Oakland Airfield Operations, and the decisions they made regarding this flight. In other words their full of Bullcrap!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    /s/

    Mr. Guerilla

    P.S. Border fence, what border fence?

  29. #29
    On October 2nd, 2007 at 11:32 am, meatsss said:

    They should have flown in to Sacramento. We know how to treat our vets properly.

  30. #30
    On October 2nd, 2007 at 11:49 am, PAUL TROMMER said:

    Here is the way the troops should be greeted!
    http://mainetroopgreeters.smugmug.com/

  31. #31
    On October 2nd, 2007 at 12:48 pm, Regulus said:

    Michelle, who says you’re not a morning person? Could’ve fooled me. Good job on that segment.

  32. #32
    On October 2nd, 2007 at 1:15 pm, AlohaGuy said:

    Transit John Wayne in OC instead. Or San Diego. Send our tax money to counties who appreciate the troops.

  33. #33
    On October 2nd, 2007 at 1:22 pm, Alphonse said:

    You support the professional military; would they support you, say in a future confrontation with the government?

  34. #34
    On October 2nd, 2007 at 3:43 pm, twoninerkilo said:

    I’m not suprised. I came back from Nam,and landed in that asylum back in “68″, nuff said, same people different year.

  35. #35
    On October 2nd, 2007 at 6:28 pm, walterc said:

    They can spin it however they want, this is just another incident bashing our troops. The Marine recruiting ad ban, the JROTC in high school ban, the attempted banning of recruiters on campus, the wanting to keep the Blue Angels out, now add the troops not welcome in the terminal incident to the list.

    I wonder what thier attitude about the military will be the next time God shakes them up with 7.0?

  36. #36
    On October 2nd, 2007 at 7:51 pm, skma said:

    On October 2nd, 2007 at 10:33 am, nikoyaka said:
    Why outsource the job that our soldiers can handle? For less money!

    My understanding of outsourcing is that our military, with its current budgeted staffing levels, cannot take on every job that they can “handle”. Many (most?) contractors have military backgrounds and are putting that experience to work in a civilian job that, thankfully, pays them more than the military did.

  37. #37
    On October 3rd, 2007 at 4:50 pm, Chuck said:

    Good Job Michelle

    Thank you from the bottom of my heart

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