Sun, Mar 15, 2009
Late For His Flight, Report Says Louisiana Senator Lost His
Cool
The Transportation Security
Administration is following up on a report of an incident that
allegedly took place at Washington DC’s Dulles International
Airport (IAD) last week.
According to Roll Call, an unnamed witness reports that Senator
David Vitter (R-LA) arrived at a United Airlines gate about 20
minutes before departure time. Finding the door to the jetway
already closed, Vitter opened it, setting off a security alarm.
An airline employee then warned Vitter against proceeding, which
prompted the Senator to become irate, asking the airline worker if
he knew just who he was. After a heated exchange, the employee left
to find a security guard.
Apparently reconsidering his predicament, Vitter left the scene
before the worker returned with security personnel, Roll Call
said.
CNN reports Vitter has refused to respond to reporters’
inquiries about the altercation, instead releasing a statement on
Wednesday that portrayed himself in a more innocent light and
described the reports as overblown.
"After being delayed on the Senate floor ensuring a vote on my
anti-pay raise amendment and in a rush to make my flight home for
town hall meetings the next day, I accidentally went through the
wrong door at the gate," he said. "I did have a conversation with
an airline employee, but it was certainly not like this silly
gossip column made it out to be."
Speaking for the Senator, Joel DiGrado told CNN that Vitter had
no further comments on the incident.
TSA spokesman Sterling Payne told CNN it is gathering
information to determine if a formal investigation is needed.
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