Griffin Speaks

Senator Richard Shelby

On Sunday, January 5th, 2003 I traveled to the Birmingham Airport to take my nephew, Melvin J. Griffin III to catch Flight 810 to Charlotte, North Carolina. Melvin J’s visit was ending and we were sad to see him departing. I parked the car and later joined Melvin J., his father and two of my three children in the terminal.

While standing in line waiting to pass through security I noticed United States Senator Richard Shelby. I quickly went over to him and introduced my family members. When the Senator left us I began to tell my nephew about the man that he had just met.

I told Melvin J. that Senator Shelby was the senior United States Senator from Alabama. He was elected to the United States Senate in 1987 with more than 20 years of experience in public service and business. I pointed out to him that he had just met one of the most powerful men in the world. My nephew was very impressed!

Melvin J and I went through the metal detector and to my surprise I didn’t buzz. Melvin J. was not as fortunate in that his carry on baggage raised a red flag, which caused a short delay. While I waited for airport security to check my nephew’s baggage I noticed the Senator walking through the metal detector. The buzzer went off and security immediately asked him to step to the side for a more invasive search. The security personnel at the Birmingham Airport were on the job!

My first reaction was to walk up to security personnel and ask them if they knew whom they were searching? I thought about it further and decided that the Senator would not want me to interfere. I knew that he understood that in order for us to be safe in the air everyone must be subjected to being searched if a red flag is raised.

Millions of people fly every day. Security personnel realize that most travelers are law-abiding people with no thought of harming anyone. However there always lies a possibility that a terrorist is among us. A terrorist could plant a bomb in an unsuspecting passenger’s baggage or in their clothing.

Senator Shelby was asked to remove his shoes. He was scanned from head to toe. While all of this was happening my nephew was watching. I was a little angry that one of my favorite United States Senators was put through this aggravation, but I kept my mouth shut and went along with the program as did Senator Shelby. Eventually he was cleared and he boarded the plane with my nephew.

Melvin J looked at me with his charming and breath taking grin and said, “Uncle Greg I thought you said that man was one of the most powerful men in the world!” My response to him was: “trust me, if he sneezes Russia catches a cold! Melvin J smiled and boarded his plane.

Greg Griffin is a free lance writer. You can read his previous articles by logging on to www.greggriffin.com