Archive for June, 2008
Wednesday, June 25th, 2008
IG Issues Scathing Report on TSA
The Office of The Inspector General (IG) issued a report Tuesday regarding ongoing employee problems at the TSA. The results are not surprising. Low morale among screeners is compromising national security.
"Given their frustration, employees may be distracted and less focused on their security and screening responsibilities," the IG report says.
Also not surprising, TSA […]
No Comments » - Posted in U.S. Homeland Security by Annie Jacobsen
Tuesday, June 24th, 2008
Panic at Israeli Airport: Policeman Commits Suicide
In a major blow to Israel's airport security, an Israeli policeman apparently shot and killed himself while guarding a farewell ceremony for French President Nicolas Sarkozy and his wife, Carla Bruni-Sarkozy at the Ben Gurion Airport.
Also in attendance were Israel's Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and President Shimon Peres.
The Ben Guiron International Airport is […]
No Comments » - Posted in Airport Security & Screening by Annie Jacobsen
Saturday, June 21st, 2008
Steve Emerson on Israel’s Military Exercises
Steve Emerson spoke with FOX News' Shepherd Smith to discuss Israel's recent military exercises which some perceive as "a dry run for an attack on Iran."
SHOW: FOX NEWS - STUDIO B (6/20/2008)
HEADLINE: ISRAELI MILITARY HELD LARGE-SCALE EXERCISE IN MAY
SHEPARD SMITH: Well a hundred fighter jets, a team of rescue […]
No Comments » - Posted in Behind the Scenes by Annie Jacobsen
Wednesday, June 18th, 2008
Nat Geo Documentary on Hijacking of Indian Air 814
National Geographic has produced a documentary about the hijacking of Indian Air 814 which happened on Christmas Eve, 1999. The hijacked aircraft was flown around the Middle East, made three emergency landings and was ultimately taken to Kandahar, Afghanistan where the Taliban took control of the situation.
Passenger Rupin Katyal, who was on his honeymoon, […]
No Comments » - Posted in Indian Air: Flight 814, Terrorist Hijackings by Annie Jacobsen
Tuesday, June 17th, 2008
FAA Whistleblowers: The Year of Living Dangerously
In six short months, 32 Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) employees have stepped forward to blow the whistle on safety issues inside the agency.
NPR has a lengthy, hair-raising piece: The Perilous Path of FAA Whistle-Blowers.
(photo courtesy of Whistleblower ALERT, OSC Watch © 2008)
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No Comments » - Posted in Behind the Scenes by Annie Jacobsen
Monday, June 16th, 2008
Oil Hits $139.89 a Barrel
Over the weekend, Saudi Arabia promised the United Nations it would add 200,000 barrels of oil to its daily output. Nevertheless, oil prices hit $139.89 a barrel this morning before falling back to $134.86.
On June 22, an 'Oil Price Summit' will take place in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
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No Comments » - Posted in Behind the Scenes by Annie Jacobsen
Thursday, June 12th, 2008
PHI Helicoper Crash Kills Four in Texas
Yesterday, I wrote about Eric Longabardi's piece on former FAA safety inspector Darrin Wargacki, recently fired from his job.
Wargacki says he reported unsafe pilot training procedures at PHI Inc. — one of the largest helicopter transport companies in America — and was fired for blowing the whistle.
The FAA says Wargacki simply lacked the […]
No Comments » - Posted in Behind the Scenes by Annie Jacobsen
Wednesday, June 11th, 2008
Why Was FAA Inspector Darrin Wargacki Fired?
In Collision Course: Fired from the FAA, investigative reporter Eric Longabardi looks into the case of why FAA inspector Darrin Wargacki was fired from his job.
Wargacki says he reported unsafe pilot training procedures at PHI Inc, one of the largest helicopter transport companies in America.
According to Longabardi, the FAA says Wargacki "just didn't […]