The Qatari diplomat whose smoking attempt in the bathroom of a United flight from D.C. to Denver involved air marshals, an ill-advised joke about lighting his shoes on fire, and F-16 fighter jets escorting the plane on its descent is expected to leave the country by today. Mohammed Al-Madadi, 27, who has diplomatic immunity, was not charged; State Department spokesman Philip Crowley said, "This is a very serious issue. Any of us who travel on airlines are reminded of this when we take off. In our communications with the Qatari ambassador last night, he fully understood the seriousness of the charges." more ›

A Qatari dipomat's alleged nicotine attack on a flight from D.C. to Denver could mean a big job transfer: The Denver Post reports, "A State Department official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the U.S. government was discussing the case with the Qataris and said the department had conveyed the seriousness of the matter to the Qataris.... The State Department official said Qatar had not yet informed the administration how they will handle the case," but it appeared the country was "leaning toward transferring him out of the U.S." more ›

Inside sources suggest that it's not naps or kisses that are putting our nation's airspace in danger, but a "toxic environment" created by federal air marshals. More than 85 current or former sky cops in nearly all of the country's field offices have reported distractions from their anti-terror mission, in the form of "intimidation, retaliation, discrimination against women, minorities, the disabled [and] gays." Morale is low, and the agency is also dangerously understaffed. more ›

Having gotten his drink on while waiting for his Jet Blue flight to Mardi Gras in New Orleans in February, Paul Henry Boritzer was in a totally festive mood when he finally boarded the plane. But then the flight attendants had to go and harsh his vibe because he was strolling about the cabin "in a loud and disruptive behavior" ten minutes before take-off. When a flight attendant asked that he return to his seat, he told her he didn't have to follow her rules, because he was a federal air marshal and a U.S. Airway pilot. Lying about that stuff is a no-no, and after the attendant insisted he sit down, Boritzer called her a bitch and asked, "Who do you think you are?" Boritzer remained disruptive throughout the flight, and, according to the Justice Department, threatened a flight attendant who denied him more booze. Needless to say, he didn't make it to Mardi Gras; he was arrested upon arrival and a jury yesterday found him guilty of interfering with a flight crew and impersonating a Federal air marshal. Boritzer will be sentenced in December, and could face a 29 year prison term, a $1 million fine, and the indignity of Will Ferrell portraying him in a movie adaptation. more ›