The comments were more appropriate for a different place, such as when casual acquaintances are knocking back a few quaffs at the local pub and commenting on the issues of the day.

In a situation in which the PAX is subject to intimidation and retaliation for anything they may say, in a situation in which a federal employee has authority over whether we can proceed into a legal arrangement to travel, and in a situation in which errors in judgment may potentially be responsible for the death and injury of travelers, it is a difficult to imagine a more irresponsible lapse of judgment and display of ignorant arrogance as the comments to which the remarks bear witness.

If you want us to be serious about what you do, you must first be serious when you are doing what you do.

And, If you must be tyrants, at least be polite ones.