Kennedy: I Landed On Terror Watch List

[HeavyRescueTech]

August 20, 2004 -- WASHINGTON — Sen. Ted Kennedy revealed yesterday that he was stuck in a "no fly" zone earlier this year — after his name landed on a terrorist watch list kept by the Transportation Security Administration.
Kennedy said he first learned he was barred from the skies by the government when he tried to board a Washington flight to Boston in April.

The ticket agent for a U.S. Airways shuttle from Washington's Reagan National Airport wouldn't let him on the flight, and told him, "We can't tell you why," Kennedy recounted at a congressional hearing yesterday.

After confronting a supervisor, the blustery pol, who has been a senator since 1962, was ultimately allowed to board the hour-long flight.

Kennedy said he initially dismissed the incident and assumed it was the result of an error by his staff — until he encountered the same problem coming back to Washington.

"I've been getting on this plane for 42 years. Why can't I get on the plane back to Washington?" he asked gate agents. Kennedy added, "It happened three more times and [Homeland Security Secretary Tom] Ridge called to apologize."

The Massachusetts Democrat said it took several phone calls over a few weeks before the clerical error was cleared up and he again became an airline commuter in good standing.

Kennedy revealed the flying fiasco during the Senate Judiciary Committee's homeland-security hearing yesterday.

Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) couldn't resist a wisecrack, calling it a "conspiracy to keep Sen. Kennedy from getting where he wants to go."

Homeland Security Undersecretary Asa Hutchison, at the hearing, said the flap illustrates the "importance of improving the system."

A smiling Hutchinson also extended an apology, which prompted Hatch to say an apology shouldn't come with a grin.
________________________

Maybe it wasn't an accident.....

[waterboy1]

"August 20, 2004 -- WASHINGTON — Sen. Ted Kennedy revealed yesterday that he was stuck in a "no fly" zone earlier this year — after his name landed on a terrorist watch list kept by the Transportation Security Administration."



And its about time. Kennedy has been a crook for years. The sad part is they caved and let him on the plane. He taught us years ago that he can't drive. (at least by rivers)

[oldman21220]

Maybe it was an old IRA list.

[GeorgeWendtCFI]

My sources tell me it has more to dowith weight restrictions.

[oldman21220]

Alcohol vapors creating an explosive atmosphere?

[EFD840]

Kennedy: I Landed On Terror Watch List

It fits. He sure scares me.

[firenresq77]

Ha Ha.......... When i first saw this title, I thought this was going to be about the scat that FFjery is spewing about 9-11...........

[DaSharkie]

Note that he said he should not be on the list, but he has not said that he is not a terrorist?