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American Morning

American Airlines Pilot Says He Intends to File Complaint Against Arab-American Secret Service Agent

Aired January 03, 2002 - 07:18   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
LEON HARRIS, CNN ANCHOR: An American Airlines pilot says that he intends to file a complaint against an Arab-American Secret Service agent for alleged misconduct aboard a plane on Christmas Day. The agent, in the meantime, is calling it a case of racial profiling and is considering filing suit.

Here now the latest from CNN's Jeanne Meserve.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

JEANNE MESERVE, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): The president flew to Crawford for his holiday break on Air Force One. The Arab- American agent was trying to get there ahead of him when he was ejected from an American Airlines flight by the captain.

The pilot's official report, obtained by CNN, does not explain why the agent was removed from the flight initially. But it says that flight attendants became concerned when he left carry-on bags behind and urged them not to leave without him.

The report says, "While the passenger was away, a flight attendant observed books in the individual's seat which were written in what she assessed was Arabic-style print."

The paperwork the agent had filled out to carry a weapon on the flight was then checked, and according to the captain's account, it was unreadable and missing items. A second and third set of paperwork was then filled out incorrectly, according to the pilot.

The agent is described at one point as appearing nervous and anxious, and later as very hostile, making loud, abusive comments about bringing the power of the White House to bear.

The pilot cited the events of September 11th and the case of Richard Reid, the alleged shoe bomber, in defending his actions, saying, "I needed to be 100 percent sure of his credentials. I was uncomfortable with his actions and did what a captain should do and edged toward the side of safety.''

Another document obtained by CNN was written by the manager of American Airlines Systems Operation Control. This individual, involved in the discussion about the agent's credentials, paperwork and behavior, barred him from flying on a later American flight. The manager says the agent admitted in a phone conversation filling out his paperwork incorrectly twice and losing his temper "after being asked for his I.D. five separate times.'' The manager says he only became aware the agent was Arab-American later. ``I was 1,000 miles away from the situation and handled it as we would any unruly passenger.''

(on camera): A lawyer for the Secret Service agent says the documents contain inaccuracies. She says, for instance, that her client does not speak or read Arabic. And as for his behavior, she says he was never unprofessional or hostile. He was, she says, not happy to be ejected from a flight for what he believed were racially discriminatory reasons.

Jeanne Meserve, CNN, Washington.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

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