Newsstand - Dulles' TSA Chief Charged With DUI

Newsday Article (http://www.newsday.com/news/nationworld/nation/wire/sns-ap-brf-security-arrest,0,1022709.story?coll=sns-ap-nation-headlines)

"Police arrested the chief of the Transportation Security Administration for Dulles International Airport early Thursday and charged him with driving under the influence of alcohol, airport authorities said.

Charles Brady was pulled over at about 1 a.m. EST by a Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority police officer who saw him driving erratically, said airport spokeswoman Tara Hamilton."

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"Give me Liberty or give me Death." - Patrick Henry

Oh Spiff -- didn't you hear? He was testing the reaction time of the officers.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by xyzzy:
Oh Spiff -- didn't you hear? He was testing the reaction time of the officers.</font>

Well, that's one explanation, I suppose...


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"Give me Liberty or give me Death." - Patrick Henry

Article about the same in the Washington Post:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A48173-2004Jan1.html

"On a night considered at particular risk of terrorism, with extraordinary security actions in place across the country, Brady was supposed to be at his airport post until 2 a.m. TSA spokeswoman Jennifer Marty said that Brady should have been participating in a security exercise to ensure the safety of air travelers at that hour." http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/eek.gif

Perhaps he passed the time while they were harassing the BA passengers by consuming the remaining minis on the aircraft?

We at the Terrorism Support Agency take safety seriously! To safety! &lt;clink&gt; Cheers!

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"Give me Liberty or give me Death." - Patrick Henry

[This message has been edited by Spiff (edited Jan 01, 2004).]

At least we now know that this chief TSA official knows what a joke the whole security scam is.

We all know what should be the honorable and ethical thing for a member of the senior executive service -- sworn to defend the Constitution -- to do following this gross breach of the public trust; but, we're dealing with the TSA...

Yes, I DO hold him to a higher standard! Throw the book at him, and not just for DUI.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by RS:
At least we now know that this chief TSA official knows what a joke the whole security scam is.</font>

When I read this, I laughed so hard that I spilled my coffee.

A TSA manager was charged with DUI. Therefore, TSA is bad and should be disbanded.

A Congressman was arrested and convicted recently for DUI and worse (he killed someone). Following the same logic, Congress is bad and should be disbanded.

For that matter, so should every other organization that ever employed a manager who was charged with DUI. That would get rid of the troublemakers!

I'm no defender of TSA, but the logic "someone in TSA did a bad thing, therefore the organization is fatally flawed" holds no water. Those who propound it lose credibility, which tends to make people ignore their more rational arguments as well.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Efrem:
A TSA manager was charged with DUI. Therefore, TSA is bad and should be disbanded.
</font>

If he is found guilty, it's just another shortcoming of the TSA in a long list of events and people that make this agency an utter disgrace, especially since it costs billions more than the old security and provides little, if any, better security.

I'm not mad that this guy got charged with DUI. I am disgusted that the evidence seems to point to him drinking while BA passengers at IAD were being harassed without any good reason to do so, only on vague, dubious reports. It is for this reason and a host of other reasons that I think the TSA is a joke and should be immediately disbanded.

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"Give me Liberty or give me Death." - Patrick Henry

[This message has been edited by Spiff (edited Jan 02, 2004).]

I hope he was not WUI... working under the influence. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif

This may not be indicative of the TSA, but it is indicative that the transportation security faces a systemic risk of being adversely impacted by those people operating under the influence... whether pilots, passengers, security personnel, check-in staff. Perhaps we should just make mandatory breathlyzers prior to starting your car, prior to working, prior to going to the bathroom. Heck, let's just ban alcohol. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif Wait.. that's a bad idea or one's choice to be entertained by drunks would go by the wayside! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/biggrin.gif

The important point isn't that the TSA is flaky, failing to properly screen employees.

The important point isn't that this TSA supervisor doesn't take his job seriously enough.

The truly important point is that while the person in charge of security at IAD was getting trashed and then arrested, nothing bad happened.

The TSA isn't keeping us safe, and we don't need the TSA to be safe.

Unbelievable---you can't make this stuff up.

Regarding this guy's arrest for DUI, normally it wouldn't have anything to do with his job and this guy is in charge of "security" so he should know better. What's REALLY interesting is the TSA's "no comment" on whether he was on duty at the time: <font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Dulles TSA Chief Faces DUI Charge; Agency Won’t Say Whether Brady Was On Duty (http://www.leesburg2day.com/current.cfm?catid=6&newsid=8269)
...
Brady was arrested shortly after midnight on New Year’s Eve after a policeman with the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority noticed his car driving erratically on Rt. 28, according to MWAA spokesman Thomas Sullivan. He couldn’t say which direction Brady was headed in or where he was pulled over at the time of his arrest except to say it was part of Rt. 28 within the airport’s jurisdiction.
...
TSA defended its security screening for employees, even top-level ones. “We have background checks done on all TSA employees, so they have to go through a fairly rigorous process,” said Kayser. Asked if screening for alcohol consumption was part of the background check, he said, “I’m not sure if they go into that.”

Kayser was unable to say whether top officials at the agency are given the random drug and alcohol tests that are apparently given to low level employees. “In the past we have said that we have random screening for substances of our screened population. I’m not sure if that is done for all staff.”
...
The Washington Post reported today that TSA spokesman Jennifer Marty had said that Marty and other TSA officials wouldn’t say whether Brady was on duty that night or not, but Marty said her remarks to the Post were made prior to New Year’s Eve and wouldn’t confirm or deny them on Friday. She also told the Post that Brady should have been participating in a security exercise to ensure the safety of air travelers at that time.
...</font>

I think you all forgot a very important point.

Since he began drinking and driving there have been *no* terrorist incidents at Dulles.

I would rather be safe than sorry.

[Yes, this is sarcastic.]

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by sbrower:
I think you all forgot a very important point.

Since he began drinking and driving there have been *no* terrorist incidents at Dulles.

I would rather be safe than sorry.

[Yes, this is sarcastic.]</font>

If it means no harassment, I'd be happy to take up a collection. I'm sure I can get enough contributions to keep this guy 'faced until the end of time. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/biggrin.gif


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"Give me Liberty or give me Death." - Patrick Henry

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by DENROC:
Unbelievable---you can't make this stuff up.</font>

I assume you are referring to the petty comments and hysterical rantings in this thread. In which case I agree.

If he broke the law, prosecute and punish him. Using it as an excuse to even discuss the entire TSA is just the height of nonsense.

Arrested TSA Chief Is Ex-Secret Service Agent (http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A50895-2004Jan2.html)

"The federal security chief at Dulles International Airport arrested for drunken driving on New Year's Day is a former Secret Service agent, one of several veterans of that agency who helped start the fledgling Transportation Security Administration last year.

Brady joined the TSA's aviation operations staff at the headquarters in Washington in April 2002, an agency spokesman said. At that time, the TSA was being created under the guidance of then-director John W. Magaw, who as former head of the Secret Service had surrounded himself with fellow veterans of that agency."

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"Give me Liberty or give me Death." - Patrick Henry

I feel sorry for this guy. Hopefully he can get his problems worked out and move on.

This sure does give the TSA another public black eye though.

DUI is no laughing matter. I would rather get drunk and fall asleep at the bar than risk someone's life by getting behind the wheel of a vehicle after getting tipsy. It's just not worth the risk.

Like I said, I'm not even upset he got nailed for DUI, even though you're right that it's no laughing matter.

What ticks me off is that the evidence seems to indicate that "vague threats" that prompted a flight into his airport to be seriously delayed and harassed was a occasion to party.

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"Give me Liberty or give me Death." - Patrick Henry

True, negligence while on duty is a very serious matter.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Spiff:
Arrested TSA Chief Is Ex-Secret Service Agent (http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A50895-2004Jan2.html)

"The federal security chief at Dulles International Airport arrested for drunken driving on New Year's Day is a former Secret Service agent, one of several veterans of that agency who helped start the fledgling Transportation Security Administration last year.</font>

Another double-dipping RIP (retired in place) ex-USSS agent in the TSA.

what's his name - Frank Horrigan ?

I think it's reasonable to assume the guy has a serious drinking problem that he needs help w/ - no one in That job on That eve w/ the BA flight situation would be THAT stoo-pid to drink otherwise (yes, I know - I'm giving Spiff a big opening here http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/biggrin.gif).

So in my 2004 bid to be a kind, gentle person who thinks life is too short to get upset over some of the things that us FTers get upset over, I'm going to give him credit for having a drinking problem rather than being stoo-pid (I don't think that came out the way I meant it to!), and hope he seeks help.

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Sharon

[This message has been edited by SkiAdcock (edited Jan 03, 2004).]

I agree Sharon. Everyone makes mistakes. Hopefully this person can recover and move on.

I have very low tolerance for DUI. It's one of those things that are easily preventable by the perpetrator. Hopefully he will never have a repeat offense.

It's the hypocrisy. The TSA has this no-holds-barred macho-serious attitude that got my favorite nail clipper confiscated last year (so this is personal now).

Obviously this guy could give a rat's a$$ about security either because he knows it's all a joke or because he's incompetent.

It's nice to be sympathetic with his drug (i.e., ethanol) addiction problem. But remember this is a lifelong law enforcement agent who wouldn't have hesitated to participate in ruining the lives of his fellow drug addicts by assisting in arresting, trying and imprisoning them in small concrete cells with no treatment whatsoever.

I have the utmost compassion for drug addicts. In fact, I don't even think DUI should be a crime. Hitting something while DUI is the crime. But this guy, he's a hypocritical bum.



[This message has been edited by RS (edited Jan 03, 2004).]

Where do you read he has a "serious drinking and/or drug problem"? Any way this is no excuse for getting bombed on the job (ie on we taxpayers dime) and completely ignoring the 100's of employees for which he is the big-boss of, and the security/safety function he is paid handsomely to perform.

HE IS A WELL PAID JOKE! THE PHILLY TSA DIRECTER IS A WELL PAID JOKE! I assume we can apply this the the well paid clowns further up the TSA ladder who are handsomely paid to supervise and check up on these two a$$holes.

MisterNice

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by MisterNice:
Where do you read he has a "serious drinking and/or drug problem"? Any way this is no excuse for getting bombed on the job (ie on we taxpayers dime) and completely ignoring the 100's of employees for which he is the big-boss of, and the security/safety function he is paid handsomely to perform.

HE IS A WELL PAID JOKE! THE PHILLY TSA DIRECTER IS A WELL PAID JOKE! I assume we can apply this the the well paid clowns further up the TSA ladder who are handsomely paid to supervise and check up on these two a$$holes.

MisterNice</font>

So. by such reasoning, every time there is a work related incident of any kind, everyone up the chain of command should be punished?

Truck driver falls asleep at the wheel and crashes, fire the President of the company? Or better yet, disband the company, because it shows a pattern of negligence?

Fact checker at a magazine makes a mistake and an error gets into a story, and the magazine ceases publication? Or do you just want the publisher's job?

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by RS:
It's the hypocrisy. The TSA has this no-holds-barred macho-serious attitude that got my favorite nail clipper confiscated last year (so this is personal now).

Obviously this guy could give a rat's a$$ about security either because he knows it's all a joke or because he's incompetent.

It's nice to be sympathetic with his drug (i.e., ethanol) addiction problem. But remember this is a lifelong law enforcement agent who wouldn't have hesitated to participate in ruining the lives of his fellow drug addicts by assisting in arresting, trying and imprisoning them in small concrete cells with no treatment whatsoever.

I have the utmost compassion for drug addicts. In fact, I don't even think DUI should be a crime. Hitting something while DUI is the crime. But this guy, he's a hypocritical bum.

[This message has been edited by RS (edited Jan 03, 2004).]</font>

How you can write waht you write about hypocrisy of others, without seeing the incredible irony dripping from every word of this post is almsot sufficient to convince me that it is a put on.

The CLOWN was DRUNK ON THE JOB!

This is just another example of how POORLY the TSA was contructed by Comrades Minetta and Magaw.

This idiot should be fired. But, given the TSA's track record, he will probably be promoted.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by CameraGuy:
The CLOWN was DRUNK ON THE JOB!

This is just another example of how POORLY the TSA was contructed by Comrades Minetta and Magaw.

This idiot should be fired. But, given the TSA's track record, he will probably be promoted.</font>

Good point. Come to think of it, the TSA Director job is presently open. Just think: The TSA wouldn't have to pay a relocation package for this guy.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Felix Unger:
So. by such reasoning, every time there is a work related incident of any kind, everyone up the chain of command should be punished?

Truck driver falls asleep at the wheel and crashes, fire the President of the company? Or better yet, disband the company, because it shows a pattern of negligence?

Fact checker at a magazine makes a mistake and an error gets into a story, and the magazine ceases publication? Or do you just want the publisher's job?

</font>

As a reserve naval officer I am quite aware of the chain of command. Your examples are of underlings and not of management. The fundlement goal of management is to lead and manage. If one cannot do this they should ousted. The TSA jokers were commissioned with high levels of responsibilities.......the truck driver was not. The TSA jokers are probably paid high salaries (my best guess is GSA-13 or GAS-14). The truck driver would probably be TSA-6. I think management must be held to a higher level of responsibility than wage roll. They certainly are paid much more and we (as taxpayers) should expect much more. Too bad we cant vote re our local TSA airport czar. Itsa circus and joke with these TSA clowns. Imagine the espirit de core with the front line TSA guys with their wands and shoe-inspection duty. They must really be p*ssed and disgusted with their airport TSA "management personnel".

MisterNice

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Spiff:
Like I said, I'm not even upset he got nailed for DUI, even though you're right that it's no laughing matter.

What ticks me off is that the evidence seems to indicate that "vague threats" that prompted a flight into his airport to be seriously delayed and harassed was a occasion to party.</font>

First of all, the BA passengers who were "serious delayed and harassed" were being handled by the FBI and customs/immigration. TSA personnel wasn't involved at all.

Thus the Mr. Brady's sobriety would have made no impact on the situation at all. TSA doesn't have any authority over the FBI or the immigration process.

Therefore I would ask why Spiff would find this to be another reason to disband the TSA immediately. That's like saying that because Bush's daughters were caught in underage drinking, their father is implicated by default and the entire administration should resign immediately.

Ridiculous unless you already hate the organization in question and is simply reaching for an excuse to justify a decision already arrived at.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Plato90s:
First of all, the BA passengers who were "serious delayed and harassed" were being handled by the FBI and customs/immigration. TSA personnel wasn't involved at all.

Thus the Mr. Brady's sobriety would have made no impact on the situation at all. TSA doesn't have any authority over the FBI or the immigration process.

Therefore I would ask why Spiff would find this to be another reason to disband the TSA immediately. That's like saying that because Bush's daughters were caught in underage drinking, their father is implicated by default and the entire administration should resign immediately.

Ridiculous unless you already hate the organization in question and is simply reaching for an excuse to justify a decision already arrived at.</font>

Wrong.

The TSA performed the harassment via reverse screening that the passengers on the flights that did make it to IAD received. It was TSA agents who harassed passengers and searched luggage, causing needless 3-4 hour delays.

Obviously, this unusual circumstance was not enough to deter this clown from going off on a bender - either this was not a serious incident (my assertion), or this clown doesn't take his job seriously enough not to drink on it.

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"Give me Liberty or give me Death." - Patrick Henry

I have read that your odds of being caught dui are 1 in 2000 trips taken drunk. Given that he apparently didn't even get off the airport before being caught I'll bet he blew .30+.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by FliesWay2Much:
Yes, I DO hold him to a higher standard! Throw the book at him, and not just for DUI.</font>

Well, I don't advocate we switch too many things to the way they may be done in developing countries...

BUT, in strong agreement with your comment, when I was in Guatemala, I noticed they DOUBLE the legal penalties (when applied) to those who are in positions of public trust and violate the law. E.g. a citizen or tourist picked up for drugs gets four years; a teacher or cop gets eight.

Interesting that any number of folks hired as screeners at US airports have been fired and even prosecuted for false identification, criminal backgrounds, etc. and then on top of that we ("allegedly") have this - from someone in a position of high authority - and responsibility! - presumably thoroughly vetted out and carefully selected.

Ironically, my best pre-flight screening (effective and efficient) was, some years ago, in... Malawi!

Cheers, JDiver

High Level Of Alcohol Cited in TSA Arrest (http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A4791-2004Jan9.html)

"The federal security chief at Dulles International Airport had a blood alcohol level of 0.26, more than three times the legal limit, when he was arrested for drunken driving on New Year's Day, according to court papers.

The traffic ticket issued to Brady also indicated that he was stopped at 1 a.m. As the Transportation Security Administration's acting security director at Dulles, Brady was supposed to be on duty until 2 a.m., participating in a New Year's Eve security exercise while the nation was under a Code Orange alert."

Yep, we take security harassment seriously, it seems... http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/rolleyes.gif

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"Give me Liberty or give me Death." - Patrick Henry

That's like saying that because Bush's daughters were caught in underage drinking, their father is implicated by default and the entire administration should resign immediately.


HEY NOW THAT SOUNDS LIKE A PLAN!!!

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by trvlr64:
That's like saying that because Bush's daughters were caught in underage drinking, their father is implicated by default and the entire administration should resign immediately.


HEY NOW THAT SOUNDS LIKE A PLAN!!!

</font>

No, it's yet another a symptom of an agency that is a complete joke.

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"Give me Liberty or give me Death." - Patrick Henry

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by jerry crump:
I have read that your odds of being caught dui are 1 in 2000 trips taken drunk. Given that he apparently didn't even get off the airport before being caught I'll bet he blew .30+. </font>


Sorry, Wash Post reports he only hit .26, less than a third of the Guiness record.

I sure hope the judge has been gate-raped or has had his checked luggage broken into & pilfered a couple of times...

[This message has been edited by FliesWay2Much (edited Jan 10, 2004).]

Blah Blah Blah,

Man not perfect, film @ 11.

TSA somehow to fault for personal lapse in judgement of individual employee. Next on Geraldo.

Seriously, I'm not a fan of the TSA though I do think they're going through growing pains. Hopefully one day they'll have a smoother screening process in place. They'll use better technology which speeds the process time yet provides a thorough look at each passenger.

But blaming them for this? Uh yeah, sure, whatever.

Regards,
-Bouncer-

Yeah, the guy has a drinking problem. So what? This has nothing per se to do with the TSA, the Patriot Act, enforcement of nonsensical security procedures, etc.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Bouncer:
TSA somehow to fault for personal lapse in judgement of individual employee. Next on Geraldo.
</font>

Individual employee? This guy was in charge of security at one of the nation's busiest international airports. This isn't some shoe runner in Sioux City.

We're seeing more reports of incompetent management that were selected by even less-compentent management. This is a symptom of a disgrace of an agency that has had plenty of time to get through any "growing pains".

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"Give me Liberty or give me Death." - Patrick Henry

So?

Unless you have some evidence that this is endemic of behavior throughout the TSA it's still one man screwing up his own career by a lapse in judgement on New Years Eve. It in no way reflects as a whole on the thousands of people who work for the TSA and frankly, it's more than a little silly for you to imply that it does. Perfection doesn't exist in ANY government agency. I bet there's FAA flight controllers who've gotten DUI's, and people in every branch of the armed services, some of them with command over hundreds or even thousands of people. It reflects neither on the FAA or on the armed services that these people screwed up. Unless they covered it up.

I know you hate the TSA. Fine and dandy. I'm not on the XMAS card list either, but the rabidness needs to stop, because the more shrill you get, the less you convince anyone of your position.

So, show me the widespread culture of alcohol abuse in the TSA. Show me where the TSA tried to cover up his being charged. If you can't, then this is NOT representative of the agency.

Regards,
-Bouncer-

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Bouncer:
So, show me the widespread culture of alcohol abuse in the TSA. Show me where the TSA tried to cover up his being charged. If you can't, then this is NOT representative of the agency.

Regards,
-Bouncer-</font>

Again, this does not demonstrate the TSA is saddled with drunks. What it does show is that once again, this agency has demonstrated that it cannot be trusted with airline security. There is no accountability. This guy was supposed to be working until 2 am and there was a planeload of passengers chosen for special harassment by the TSA (perhaps selected by the FBI but nonetheless harassed by the TSA). He decided to quit early and get drunk. Or vice versa. This is yet another example of how there is NO ACCOUNTABILITY at the TSA.

When people screw up at the TSA, they are not accountable for their actions, whether it's falling asleep at the checkpoint, stupidly emptying a terminal, or tying one on while working. He's on leave as a result of being suspended. Great. However, there are many instances where screwing up is labeled as "erring on the side of caution" or "safety first" or some other vaccuous whitewash.

Only when this agency is held fully accountable for all its actions or when it is replaced will I be satisfied.

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"Give me Liberty or give me Death." - Patrick Henry

The guy's a drunk. That's his problem. I can't see how that reflects on the TSA. Lots of companies have a few drunks here and there and they deal with it or not, that doesn't make them bad organizations per se.

I'm sorry, I don't get this one as having any significance.