The Transportation Security Administration is examining Sen. David Vitter‘s much-reported decision to open the closed gateway door to his plane — even though he was warned against it by an airline worker.
“We will be reviewing the alleged incident,” Lauren Gaches, a TSA spokeswoman, told On Call this evening.
According to an HOH tipster who witnessed the scene, the Louisiana Republican arrived Thursday evening at his United Airlines gate 20 minutes before the plane was scheduled to depart, only to find the gate had already been closed. Undeterred, Vitter opened the door, setting off a security alarm and prompting an airline worker to warn him that entering the gate was forbidden.
Vitter, our spy said, gave the airline worker an earful, employing the timeworn “do-you-know-who-I-am” tirade that apparently grew quite heated.
That led to some back and forth, and the worker announced to the irritable Vitter that he was going to summon security.
Vitter, according to the witness, remained defiant, yelling that the employee could call the police if he wanted to and their supervisors, who, presumably, might be more impressed with his Senator’s pin.
But after talking a huffy big game, Vitter apparently thought better of pushing the confrontation any further. When the gate attendant left to find a security guard, Vitter turned tail and simply fled the scene.
Vitter’s office claims this is nothing more than a gossip column. Continuing coverage on The Daily Kingfish.
It’ll be interesting to see the way The Town Talk treats this story, because instead of running with the larger national story, earlier today, the paper was leading with a story about Vitter’s denial.
Gannett versus Roll Call.
CenLamar 