EVERYONE Goes Through Security

He could have been president... and ANN is forever in his debt for "inventing" the Internet. His documentary won an Oscar... and he brought global warming to the forefront of world issues. Any way you look at it, everyone knows who he is, and a man of such stature requires special service, even at the airport. Right?

Wrong. So found out one American Airlines employee Wednesday who led former Vice President Al Gore and two staffers around an airport security line. The employee, who has not been identified, will be required to re-take an airport security training course.

But fear not, Al Gore and company were spotted by police following the security line breach and were screened, said an airport spokeswoman.

According to Nashville International Airport spokeswoman Lynne Lowrance, the AA employee led the group to the lower baggage level, "swiping" each of them through a secure turnstile with her security badge.

This left the poor airport officer assigned to escort Gore to his gate tapping his toe at the security checkpoint, where the former Vice President never came through. Gore and his party were soon found at the gate for their flight.

The officer asked the group if they had been through security, and when they said they hadn't, they were taken back and fully screened. Gore did not complain and cooperated fully, Lowrance said.

"Everyone goes through security," she said of the employee's action. "It showed bad judgment. They were trying to be helpful, maybe too helpful."

American Airlines spokesman John Hotard said that he company does not discuss security issues.

According to Gore Communications Director Kalee Kreider, his staff usually notifies airports where he will be flying to ensure they know the former vice president will be coming through.

"I was there, and we didn't know if standards had changed or what," she said. "There are different policies at different airports and you basically do what you're asked to do."

Gore was traveling to deliver his presentation on, surprise, global warming, at the University of Miami.

FMI: www.algoresupportcenter.com, www.aa.com, www.nashintl.com