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Posted: 01.29.2003 Up, up in the atmosphere
Here's one that's shocked us... If you've seen my photos from Monday night, you might remember this blurry image of the Tampa SWAT team repelling from a police helicopter into Raymond James stadium. Now the FAA is investigating it as an "unsafe operation". The helicopter pilot for the local NBC affiliate went on record earlier this evening saying he thought the stunt was dangerous and uncalled for (I guess that's why the crowd went wild), and media outlets are now being asked to turn over their footage of the event to federal investigators. Ironic that one of the biggest controversies over our city's Super Bowl celebrations is being blamed on the police, and not on local residents!
 When I saw that on the news today, I wondered what you might say. My question: what's the difference between the stunt and any airshow? I suppose it would have been nice to let folks know it was on the agenda, so they could choose to sit somewhere where they would not be in danger. But gimme a break! ¤ ¤ credit: Jody | 01.29.03 at 11:47 PM | link- -this ¤ ¤ Not being one for mincing words, I'll say that's just stupid! No one was hurt, it's all over, if they want to tell them not to do it again, fine, but then forget about it! I always wanted to rappel from a helicopter... seeing the cops do it would be almost as cool. ¤ ¤ credit: Hey Lisa | 01.29.03 at 11:54 PM | link--this ¤ ¤Well people did know it was coming. They rehearsed it over the stadium all afternoon, and every local sports show talked about it. So I wasn't surprised -- and thought it was quite cool. I agree Jody. I've been in just as much "danger" at airshows. ¤ ¤ credit: robyn | 01.30.03 at 12:01 AM | link--this ¤ ¤I fly in a news chopper a lot, and my understanding is that frankly, police and fire don't have to follow most FAA rules, especially since 9/11. They have to follow maintanence rules, but they can fly places and times that we can't. I'd be surprised if the FAA does a thing. ¤ ¤ credit: Zippy | 01.30.03 at 02:59 PM | link--this ¤ ¤All I can think of is a Se7en quote out of context: "SWAT goes before dicks!" ¤ ¤ credit: D | 01.31.03 at 08:46 AM | link--this ¤ ¤
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