SALT LAKE CITY (ABC 4 News) – More information is coming out now about what really happened between Congressman Jason Chaffetz and security at the Salt Lake Int’l Airport. Chaffetz claims he was singled out over his stand against a controversial body scanning machine, now we’re learning the security worker’s side of the story.
According to copies of 8 different handwritten accounts written by security workers involved in the incident, obtained by the Salt Lake Tribune from the Transportation Security Administration, the accounts back up key claims made by Chaffetz, but also show what can be considered unprofessional behavior on both sides: Chaffetz swore at the workers, one of them laughed at him, Chaffetz grabbed one worker’s badge, and a supervisor refused to give Chaffetz his I.D. number.
According to Chaffetz, on Sept 21st. TSA workers bullied him as he was passing through security. He claims they singled him out to take a controversial body scan, which sees through passengers clothing to determine if that person is a security threat; it’s a machine Chaffetz opposes and is sponsoring a bill that would stop TSA from using the imaging machine as a primary screening device. Chaffetz said he refused to take the scan, so officers gave him a “pat down.” When he told them he was a member of the United States Congress, and they replied “we know who you are.”
Security workers hand written accounts give a much more detailed version of the incident.
The first security worker who approached Chaffetz about go through the scanning machine said “I didn’t know who he was nor would of it mattered, he was a passenger.”
When Chaffetz refused to take the scan, workers performed a pat down. Documents show Chaffetz asked workers three times, “Why was I singled out?” One account stated “We informed him he was randomly selected.”
Documents show, Chaffetz asked to speak to a manager.
According to the hand written account from the supervisor involved:
“(Chaffetz) then stated to me, “Do you know you who I am?” I replied “No”. He then said, “I’m Congressman Chaffetz and I’m the one trying to get rid of that s---.” He then pointed to toward the (scanning machine). “
The supervisor account states Chaffetz then asked for the highest person of authority.
“Will you give them this card?” said Chaffetz.
“They know who you are,” said the supervisor.
The supervisor’s account goes to read:
“(Chaffetz) started to walk off and I chuckled. He turned around again and asked “Is this funny to you?” I told him, “No, it’s just the way you’re acting!”
The account then states Chaffetz grabbed the supervisor’s badge and asked for his I.D. number. The supervisor wrote, “I did not know which number he was asking for, my SIDA badge number or my TSA badge number.”
Chaffetz replied, “You’re a TSA supervisor and you don’t know your I.D. number?”
Another worker’s account said “Then (blank) told the Congressman that he was not going to answer his questions. The Congressman left the security checkpoint.”
To view the full versions of the handwritten accounts click on the link below the photo in this story.
