Help for my Mom...

[christa]

Wow, this would make me soooooo mad!!!

I think about everything this country has been through and on one hand, I'm glad that they are searching thoroughly, BUT to do a full fledged investigation of your mother who had some matches & a comb in her possession . . . I'm speechless. I'd understand if they asked her not to take those things on board, and leave it at that . . . but the investigation & fines are sooooo wrong!!!

I'd definitely suggest that she get a lawyer & fight this! I don't see how they can do anything to her . . . it might take an investigation for them to figure it out . . . and your poor momma in the meantime . . . shew, I'm so sorry that she has to go through this!

We'll all be thinking about her & praying that this goes away SOON!

Give her {{{Hugs}}} from everyone here at PT!!!

[wolflady]

Yikes! I just saw this thread and I just couldn't believe it. I agree with everyone that something just doesn't add up. I'm sorry, but this is just too extreme for something like that. Heck, my poor parents brought back a bag from Indiana for me, and I had completely forgotten that my camping knife was in the bag. Well, imagine my parent's embarassment when they found out about it at the airport! They had to take it out, wrap it up and ship it separately. Of course, this was pre 9-11...I think...but still.
This is just going too far...they should be focusing on people who are REALLY suspicious!

Let us know what's going on!
**hugs**
Karen

[Edwina's Secretary]

I fly frequently and this doesn't sound right to me either. Has she verified that the "special agent" is in fact such and not an extortionist? How did they get her name and address? I have had mace confiscated and they didn't even ask my name. I saw a guy get something taken just last week. They took it and that was that.

She needs to call the FAA...and not just the number on the letter and ask if this is standard. I would also call my congressperson's office and tell them the story.

If this is someone preying on travelers they should be dealt with.

(Do you realize how many smokers carry matches? And if all of them were treated this way????)

[Randi]

My first thought was: This is a joke!!

I have never ever heard anything so ridiculous!! If FAA have indeed sent a letter like you described, I'd advise your mom to call them and talk to someone "higher up" - or as Sara suggests, her congressperson's office. Gini's suggestion was quite good too. Get the media on to them!!

I once had a pair of scissors in my carry-on, and of course they spotted it - this was not long after 9/11. I was asked to remove it and either trash it or go down and check it in seperately. This was in Copenhagen airport.

[NoahsMommy]

As per your wonderful advice, I found and emailed my mom the numbers for the US FAA in Florida and California as well as the Los Angeles FBI.

The longer I think about this and the more I'm searching the FAA site, I feel there's something fishy going on here, too.

[gini]

Kelly, good for you! If someone is using the FAA as a way to get back at State Farm then this needs to be investigated immediately and proper actions taken.

The more pro-active you are the quicker you will have positive results.

[lynnestankard]

It sounds so fishy to me Kelly. Don's often had lighters taken off him when travelling and I've had embroidery scissors taken - a friend even had a tiny pack of sewing needles taken from her.
None of us ever heard another thing about it.
I'm sure someone's up to no good. It just doesn't ring true.

Lynne

[Edwina's Secretary]

This is really bothering me so I did a little research. FAA is NOT the government agency responsible for Airport safety. It is the Transportation Safety Administration - TSA now a part of Homeland Security. If the letter is from the FAA...well....it is really bogus. They worry about the safety of the plane and the pilots -- not security.

[gini]

Sara, well done!

This is really bugging me as well. I just hate to think of Kelly's Mom having to hire and pay for an attorney due to this.

If she is an agent for State Farm, then they need to go directly to bat for her.

Whoever is responsible for this bogus letter needs to be dealt with a severely.

[NoahsMommy]

Thanks, Sara! I told my mom that as well. It makes sense being as I couldn't find anything that remotely resembled this on the FAA website.

The numbers I found for the local FAA were general information lines, so I found the contact numbers for the Southern Region Headquarters, with names and phone numbers for the Security & Hazardous Materials Division Investigations Section. May as well go straight to the source.

In the mean time, State Farm is not offering any assistance other than being willing to proof read her response. This keeps getting better for her. She's worked for them for over 35 years...

[gini]

Kelly, if you feel that your Mom would need some letters sent.........I am sure we could whip up a good campaign right here on Pet Talk.

But of course, we would let YOUR MOM......"PROOF READ" THE LETTERS!

State Farm is falling all over themselves to help your Mom, aren't they?

Sorry for the sarcasim.........................

[LoudLou]

Kelly,
Sorry about the hassle your Mom is going through. Hope it gets sorted out soon.


Maybe we should all fly Nude...

[Cinder & Smoke]

Sounds *phisshie* and like a Gross Case of OVER-Kill -
but remember -
She's dealing with "The Government"!

Logical & Rational Thinking is not always part of their agenda!


"she picked up a certified letter from a special agent with the FAA.
After speaking with the author of the letter, a special agent, this is serious."

FAA / TSA - Both prolly have some interest in terrorist activities.
FAA *used* to do it;
The TSA is the NEW Gang on the block and TSA people are
the ones *groping passengers* and tearing apart luggage.

1) Make a COPY of the notification letter and envelope to
use - LOCK UP the originals and don't give them up!

2) WHERE is the "Special Agent's" OFFICE??
Is he FAA - FBI - TSA??

3) Use a Phone Book to look up his Agency -
then CALL a published number for that Agency and ask them to
VERIFY he IS an Agent for that Agency.
(DON'T rely on phone numbers ON the Letter.)

4) Has Mom talked to her State Farm supervisor?
Seems very lame that State Farm isn't more interested in
assisting a 35 year employee - who was on COMPANY business!

"She is being asked to send them copies of her baggage tags,
a description of actions to be implemented to prevent further incidents
of this type and a hazardous material training program.
She faces huge fines and who knows what else."

THIS part sounds like it came from a Grade-B movie!

She's going to be consulting a lawyer, but only has
15 days from Saturday to plead her case.

Not sure I'd want to spend a lot of money on an Attorney till
she VERIVIES this is really a proper Governmental Investigation.

Your Tax Dollars at ? Work ? - Harrassing You!

/s/ Phred
.

[NoahsMommy]

Uppydate:

My mom has been given an extension on this matter. She has until the end of January to "state her case" so to speak.

She's meeting with her lawyer in early January, I think she just wants to get through the holidays.

Thanks for your advice everyone.