Veteran Pilot's Job Threatened By TSA

[Belegon]

A thirteen-year National Guard veteran has been told by his employer that he is on a TSA terrorist watch list and that he has until September 1st to clear his name or be suspended.

The government will not even confirm that Erich Scherfen is on a list, let alone give him an avenue to clear his name.

The pilot is a convert to Islam and his wife is a Pakistani emigrant.

He has been prevented from traveling by commercial airline, despite the fact the he is a commercial pilot for Colgan Air, Inc.

CNN story: http://www.cnn.com/2008/US/08/22/pilot.watch.list/index.html?iref=mpstoryview

Let's see... restriction of travel, personal damage to job and reputation and a total lack of avenue for recourse or even confirmation that the government is affecting your life?

Isn't there some stuff about trials by jury and right to confront one's accusers in this country?

Gee, thanks for protecting our freedom.

 

[john-the-author]

Jesus, it's reminiscent of the stories Dad told me about the secret lists of Commies that Joe McCarthy used to hit people with.

 

[3113]

Let that be a lesson to everyone. Don't convert to Islam.

 

[SeaCat]

This doesn't surprise me. I read not too long ago about a baby being banned from flying because it had the same name as a "Person of Interest".

The reason this happens is because of the Intelligence People in the Government. They put together the lists and pass them along. (I would be in the same boat as this pilot if somehow either my father's name or my Nephews name appeared on their lists.)

As for getting ones name off the list I have no idea how this would be done. I don't think the T.S.A. is able to do that. I think it would have to be the government entity putting together the lists and publishing them.

Cat

 

[DesertPirate]

There is now an avenue to sue in Federal District Court over this. I don't have the specifics but it just came outh this week. There is a way to remove a name from the list that didn't exist 3 weeks ago.

 

[sutherngent985]

Gee...another US government screwup...what a shock.

 

[Guest]

yep, but in this case, I don't think it is a case of mistaken identity.

I think his name is in the list because of his marital status and religion.

That it will take a lot of time to clear up,and it sure won't happen until September.

Maharat

 

[Belegon]

yep, but in this case, I don't think it is a case of mistaken identity.

I think his name is in the list because of his marital status and religion.

That it will take a lot of time to clear up,and it sure won't happen until September.

Maharat

I agree.

I don't think there is a mistake in identity or paperwork. I think they did exactly what they meant to do.

It disgusts me.