Pilot's Search for Flight-Simulator Software Spurs Visit From State Trooper Mon Jan 12, 5:34 PM ET 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."
Originally posted by Sandman_SBM It seems that our entire law enforcement system is out of control.
Originally posted by GtoRA2 What the hell. Staples needs to fire that person.
Originally posted by rpm371 I gotta agree. If this was not a caucasion military family the outcome could have been much different. What if they were of Mediterranian or Arab descent? This is nothing more than an outright invasion of privacy.
Originally posted by vorticon err a person asked about flight sim software...a employee misunderstood and phoned someone...so now a simple misunderstanding of a question is a invasion of privacy???
