Pilot's search for flight-simulator software spurs visit from state trooper

Collapse
X
 
  • Time
  • Show
Clear All
new posts
  • ThunderBalls
    So Fucking Banned
    • Oct 2002
    • 2926

    #1

    Pilot's search for flight-simulator software spurs visit from state trooper

    Fuck Staples

    http://news.findlaw.com/court_tv/s/2...004173230.html


    By Emanuella Grinberg, Court TV

    (Court TV) ?

    Be careful what you ask for is the lesson Julie Olearcek learned when she inquired about a gift for her son last week at a Staples store.

    A seemingly innocent query for flight simulation software earned the Air Force Reserves pilot a visit to her home from State Troopers, according to local reports.

    Olearcek was looking for a computer game that her son could use to practice flying an aircraft, just like the ones flown by his mother and father, who is also an active-duty pilot. After searching the aisles for something that didn't involve fighting to no avail, Olearcek asked a sales clerk.

    "He was alarmed by us asking how to fly airplanes and said that was against the law," said Olearcek, according to The Recorder, an online news site. "I said I couldn't imagine that, but, because (the clerk) was a little on edge ... I left."

    A few hours later, a State Trooper showed up at Olearcek's house incognito, shining a flashlight through a sliding door and tapping on the glass.

    Olearcek was frightened at first, but the State Trooper identified himself and asked Olearcek if she had inquired about the video game. She said she had, and then showed her military ID. "At first I felt like, 'Wait a minute, this is America.' But we also have to understand it takes everybody to pay attention," Olearcek said.

    Sgt. Donald Charpentier of the Shelburne Falls State Police barracks said the Staples manager had called them to report that a person had been looking for instructional videos regarding flying planes.

    "Those programs are quite common for entertainment and training, but he felt it was suspicious enough to warrant a call," said Charpentier, according to the Recorder. "We responded, and it turned out to be innocent enough; a person looking to buy a Christmas gift."

    In the post-9/11 world, Staples spokesperson Sharyn Frankel said are instructed to be alert and to report any sort of suspicious inquiries or behavior in the store. "It's all about keeping our associates and customers safe. This was out of the ordinary and kind of raised a red flag and (the sales clerk) did what he thought was right."
  • StuartD
    Sofa King Band
    • Jul 2002
    • 29903

    #2
    old news.
    This is me on facebook
    This is me on twitter

    Comment

    • baddog
      So Fucking Banned
      • Apr 2001
      • 107089

      #3
      I am glad they checked it out . . . . what if it was some idiot instead of a mother looking for a Xmas present?

      Comment

      • monkeysnap
        Confirmed User
        • Sep 2003
        • 604

        #4
        I asked a clerk at Walgreens the other day where they kept their toenail clippers. Two hours later I had a SWAT team at my house throwing me down on the floor. I don't blame them one bit. Can't ever be TOO careful in this crazy world we live in.
        I make sex games and you might also know me as 'orange'.

        Comment

        • Rich
          So Fucking Banned
          • Jan 2003
          • 11486

          #5


          What a joke Bush is making America. Do people really think bullshit like this is making them safer?

          Comment

          • Gabriel
            Confirmed User
            • Apr 2002
            • 4789

            #6
            Originally posted by monkeysnap
            I asked a clerk at Walgreens the other day where they kept their toenail clippers. Two hours later I had a SWAT team at my house throwing me down on the floor. I don't blame them one bit. Can't ever be TOO careful in this crazy world we live in.


            ICQ#: 142295729

            Comment

            • 12clicks
              Too lazy to set a custom title
              • Jan 2001
              • 19814

              #7
              Originally posted by Rich


              What a joke Bush is making America. Do people really think bullshit like this is making them safer?
              isn't this the same ass hat who blamed Bush for not know 9/11 was going to happen?
              I'm not a dinosaur, I'm a crocodile. I've seen dinosaurs come and go and I'm left unimpressed.

              Comment

              • stocktrader23
                Let's do some business.
                • Jan 2003
                • 18781

                #8
                Originally posted by 12clicks


                isn't this the same ass hat who blamed Bush for not know 9/11 was going to happen?
                You're right. All of the terrorists have trouble getting flight sim software with their millions in available cash. Osama sent them all to Staples for $40 video games instead.


                Hands Free Adult - Join Once, Earn For Life

                "I try to make a habit of bouncing my eyes up to the face of a beautiful woman, and often repeat “not mine” in my head or even verbally. She’s not mine. God has her set aside. She’s not mine. She’s His little girl, and she needs me to fight for her by keeping my eyes where they should be."

                Comment

                • PlayGirl
                  Confirmed User
                  • Jan 2004
                  • 1062

                  #9
                  Originally posted by monkeysnap
                  I asked a clerk at Walgreens the other day where they kept their toenail clippers. Two hours later I had a SWAT team at my house throwing me down on the floor. I don't blame them one bit. Can't ever be TOO careful in this crazy world we live in.

                  Comment

                  • gornyhuy
                    Chafed.
                    • May 2002
                    • 18041

                    #10
                    I'm all for watching out for terrorist activity, but come on... does anybody have any civil liberty or privacy any more?

                    icq:159548293

                    Comment

                    • Rich
                      So Fucking Banned
                      • Jan 2003
                      • 11486

                      #11
                      Originally posted by 12clicks


                      isn't this the same ass hat who blamed Bush for not know 9/11 was going to happen?
                      Yes, and when it happens again I'm going to ask why the fuck he didn't actually do anything to protect you more. What he is doing is a joke.

                      Comment

                      • 12clicks
                        Too lazy to set a custom title
                        • Jan 2001
                        • 19814

                        #12
                        Originally posted by Rich


                        Yes, and when it happens again I'm going to ask why the fuck he didn't actually do anything to protect you more. What he is doing is a joke.
                        ahahahaha, sure you canadian ponce, like you have a fucking clue what he's doing.

                        run along, you're embarrassing
                        I'm not a dinosaur, I'm a crocodile. I've seen dinosaurs come and go and I'm left unimpressed.

                        Comment

                        • Mr.Fiction
                          Confirmed User
                          • Feb 2002
                          • 9484

                          #13
                          Originally posted by 12clicks


                          you have a fucking clue what he's doing.
                          Unfortunately, he probably doesn't either.
                          Don't be lazy, protect free speech: ACLU | Free Speech Coalition | EFF | IMPA

                          Comment

                          • 12clicks
                            Too lazy to set a custom title
                            • Jan 2001
                            • 19814

                            #14
                            Originally posted by Mr.Fiction


                            Unfortunately, he probably doesn't either.
                            yes, all Americans are stupid along with our president.
                            If the stupid rule the world, WTF does that make you?
                            I'm not a dinosaur, I'm a crocodile. I've seen dinosaurs come and go and I'm left unimpressed.

                            Comment

                            • blackmonsters
                              Making PHP work
                              • Nov 2002
                              • 21047

                              #15
                              Originally posted by ThunderBalls
                              Fuck Staples

                              http://news.findlaw.com/court_tv/s/2...004173230.html


                              By Emanuella Grinberg, Court TV

                              (Court TV) ?

                              Be careful what you ask for is the lesson Julie Olearcek learned when she inquired about a gift for her son last week at a Staples store.

                              A seemingly innocent query for flight simulation software earned the Air Force Reserves pilot a visit to her home from State Troopers, according to local reports.

                              Olearcek was looking for a computer game that her son could use to practice flying an aircraft, just like the ones flown by his mother and father, who is also an active-duty pilot. After searching the aisles for something that didn't involve fighting to no avail, Olearcek asked a sales clerk.

                              "He was alarmed by us asking how to fly airplanes and said that was against the law," said Olearcek, according to The Recorder, an online news site. "I said I couldn't imagine that, but, because (the clerk) was a little on edge ... I left."

                              A few hours later, a State Trooper showed up at Olearcek's house incognito, shining a flashlight through a sliding door and tapping on the glass.

                              Olearcek was frightened at first, but the State Trooper identified himself and asked Olearcek if she had inquired about the video game. She said she had, and then showed her military ID. "At first I felt like, 'Wait a minute, this is America.' But we also have to understand it takes everybody to pay attention," Olearcek said.

                              Sgt. Donald Charpentier of the Shelburne Falls State Police barracks said the Staples manager had called them to report that a person had been looking for instructional videos regarding flying planes.

                              "Those programs are quite common for entertainment and training, but he felt it was suspicious enough to warrant a call," said Charpentier, according to the Recorder. "We responded, and it turned out to be innocent enough; a person looking to buy a Christmas gift."

                              In the post-9/11 world, Staples spokesperson Sharyn Frankel said are instructed to be alert and to report any sort of suspicious inquiries or behavior in the store. "It's all about keeping our associates and customers safe. This was out of the ordinary and kind of raised a red flag and (the sales clerk) did what he thought was right."
                              Symptoms of Mass Hysteria!!!

                              "Don't kill them; create hysteria among them
                              and they will imprison and kill themselves"
                              __ Sum Reeli Smot-Mofo.
                              Good luck.



                              Comment

                              Working...