T7 B18 Loose Ends Fdr- Jan-Mar 04- Emails Re Delta Captain Arnie Church Re Atta Sighting at Hotel 543

8/14/2019 T7 B18 Loose Ends Fdr- Jan-Mar 04- Emails Re Delta Captain Arnie Church Re Atta Sighting at Hotel 543

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John RaidtFrom: Philip Zelikow[_ 1Sent: Friday, March 12, 2004 1:04 PMTo: Team 7Subject: FW: Proof Delta Airlines did not investigate ill,! Sept 2002

fy iOriginal MessageFrom: John Lehman [mailto:JFL^LSent: Sunday, March 07, 2004 5:35 PMTo: Phil Zelikow (E-mail) ,Subject: FW: Proof Delta Airlines did not investigate till Sept 2002

Original Message -"/VlPersonal PrivacyFrom: Arnie Church [mailto;amiechurch@r 1Sent: Sunday, March 07, 2004 1:21PMTo: InfoCc: John LehmanSubject: Proof Delta Airlines did not investigate till Sept 2002Dear Commissioners,I have attached a recording lett to my cell phone voice mail from Alan Price (former Delta Airlines Chief Pilot forAtlanta). He was calling me (Oct 4, 2002) in response to a follow up report I made concerning my observations ofthe van drivers in Albany NY. I sent this follow up repprt to Jack Daulton (VP Corp Security DAL) in mid Sept2002.As you can hear De lta security is telling Alan that they are having trouble obtaining the identities of the vandrivers. If they had Investigated In Dec of 2000 when I made my Initial report they would haveeasily obtained those names at that time/That tells me they did not investigate my report in Dec 2000.Arnie Church

Original Message From: John Lehman /To: arniechurchfiSL JSent: Friday, February 06, 2004 2:49 PMSubject: RE: John Lehm anDear Captain Church,Many thanks for taking the trouble to pass on your experience. I have given it to our staff for followup and wewill follow up.wasdelighted to hear that my old Tiger still flourishes. Iwish the same could besaid for my old A-6E!Best regards,John Lehman

Original MessageFrom: Info [mailto:[email protected]]Sent: Wednesday, February 04, 20XM 12:06 PMTo: John LehmanSubject: FW: John Lehman

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Original MessageFrom:Amie Church [mailto:amiechurch@[2Sent: Thursday, January 29, 2004 3:38PMTo: InfoSubject: Re: John Lehman

" " " 9/11 Personal Privacy

Dan,Could you pass on the following to Mr. Lehman?While flying as a B-727 Captain for Delta Airlines on 14 December 20001was scheduled tolayover at the Albany, NY Crown Plaza Hotel.Thehotel provided a van for aircrew pickup. The van drivers that day, in my opinion, wereacting suspiciously. They drivers were Arab males, very insistent that weride with them. Theyappeared nervous and angry. At one point the lead driver grabbed my suitcase out of my handsand ran off with it. I chased him down and retrieved my bag. When I got my bag back an outerzippered pocket was now unzipped. I had been to this hotel many times and the drivers hadalways been young college students (blonde haired, blue eyed).I fel t that these twowere a threat in someway and refused to ride with them. I bought 2 taxicabs for my crew.Upon reaching thehotel I asked to talk to the managerand told him about the van drivers. Heasked for a descriptionof the driver. I gavehim one and told him the drivers name tag said: "M.ATTA". The manager replied that was Mohamed Atta and they had several complaints fromseveral aircrews about him. I told the manager "You have one more complaint". (Note thatUnited, American, USAir, Delta, and South West all layed over at this hotel).When I got to my room I searched my bag and found a Canadian $2 coin in the pocket that wasunzipped by Atta. I had been in that pocket 4 hours earlier putting several one dollar bills to usefo r tipping the van drivers on my trip. I had never before seena Canadian $2 com.This event reminded me of TWA 847 (of how thehijackers got weapons onboard).I immediately called several officials at DeltaAir Lines and told them specifically:"It looks like ahijacking in the making, and the vandrivers are Arabs".Inmy conversation with Mike Keown (Delta Security) Mike asked how I knew they wereArabs? I told him "because the drivers namewasMohamed Atta!"I also called Alpa safety to contact the FAA about this incident (I have attached mycell phonerecords f r om December 2000).I have learned that Delta never investigated my reports until Sept. 2002.I called the Crown Plaza on Sept 23,2002 (the daybefore Delta's investigators arrived) and agirl at the f ront desk confirmed that Atta (the hijacker) did m fac t work there around Dec 2000.After Delta's investigators left thehotel... no one could remember anything.I also talkedtime frame.

Jof thejoint terrorism task force inAlbany j around this

There is quite a bit more information that ispertinent but I do noyfeel comfortable discussing itvia e-mail.As a side note to Mr. Lehman .... myfather and I still own Grumman Tiger N28383.In fact it is in for an annual now. /| Original Message /9/11 Law Enforcement Privacy

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From: InfoTo: Arnie ChurchSent: Thursday, January 29, 2004 12:18 PMSubject: RE:John LehmanDear Mr. Church:Thank you for your email to the National Commission on Terrorist Attacks Upon the United States.While we do notgive out Commissioner contact information, I ammore than happy to pass along amessage from you to Commissioner Lehman.Sincerely,Dan Leopold9-11 Commission

Original Message ^_^From: Arnie Church [mailto:arniechurch@{ |Sent:Thursday, January 29, 2004 9:50 AM \: Info \:

Dear Sir, \s there an address that I could get in touch with Mr.

Arnie ChurchCapt. Delta Airlines-"" 9/11 Personal Privacy

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John RaidtFrom: Philip Zelikow |_Sent: Friday, February 06, 2004 5:37 PMTo: Team 7; Team 1ASubject: Message to and from Commissioner Lehman

Teams 7 and 1A ,An interesting story below from a Delta pilot. Could there possibly be anything to it? Had you heard ofthis before?Philip

Original MessageFrom: John Lehman [mallto:JFL(l_Sent: Friday, February 06, 2004 2:54 PMTo: Phil Zelikow (E-mail)Subject: FW : John Lehman

/9/11 Personal Privacy

Philip,This looks like more than just paranoia. Could you give it to the appropriate teams for followup.JohnOriginal MessageFrom: Info [mailto:[email protected]]Sent:Wednesday, February 04, 2004 12:06 PMTo: John LehmanSubject: FW:John Lehman

Original MessageFrom: Arnie Church rmailtoiarniechurchO FSent:Thursday, January 29, 2004 3:38PMTo: InfoSubject: Re: John LehmanDan,Could you pass on the following to Mr. Lehman?While flying as a B-727 Captain for Delta Airlines on 14 December 2000 I was scheduled to layover atthe Albany, NY Crown Plaza Hotel.The hotel provided a van for aircrew pickup. The van drivers that day, in my opinion, were actingsuspiciously. They drivers were Arab males, very insistent that we ride with them. They appearednervous and angry. At one point the lead driver grabbed my suitcase out of my hands and ran off with it.I chased him down and retrieved my bag. When I got my bag back an outer zippered pocket was nowunzipped. I had been to this hotel many times and the drivers had always been young college students(blonde haired, blue eyed).I felt that these two were a threat in some way and refused to ride with them. I bought 2 taxi cabs form y crew.

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Upon reaching the hotel I asked to talk to the ri^anager and told him about the van drivers. He asked fora description of the driver. I gave him ojie and told him the drivers name tag said: "M. ATTA". Themanager replied that was Mohamed Atta and thej< had several complaints from several aircrews abouth im. I told th e manager "You have one more complaint". (Note that United, American, USAir, Delta,and South West all layed over at this hotel).When I got to my room I searched niy bag and found a Canadian $2 coin in the pocket that was

unzipped by Atta. I had been in that pocket 4 hours earjier putting several one dollar bills to use fortipping the van drivers on my trip. I had never before seen a Canadian $2 coin.This event remindedme of TWA/847 (of how th e hijackers go t weapons onboard).I immediately called several officials at Delta Air Lines and told them specifically:"It looks like a hijacking in the njaking, and the van drivers are Arabs".In my conversation with Mike l^eown (Delta Security) Mike asked how I knew they were Arabs? I toldh im "because the drivers name ;wa s Mohamed Atta!"I also called Alpa safety to contact the FAA about this incident (I have attached m y cell phone recordsfrom December 2000).I have learned that Delta neyer investigated m y reports until SepJ. 2002.I called the Crown Plaza on/Sept 23,2002 (the daybefore Delta's investigators arrived) and a girl at thefront desk confirmed that Atta (the hijacker) did in fact work there around Dec 2000.After Delta's investigators/left the hotel... no one could remembet anything.I also talked to| [of the joint terrorism task force in Albany (1 \d this timeframe.There is quite a bit more information that is pertinent but I do not feel comfortable discussing it via e-mail.As a side note to Mr. Lehman .... m y fa ther and I still ow n Grumman Tiger N28383.In fact it is in for an annual now.

Original Message From: InfoTo: Arnie ChurchSent: Thursday, January 29, 2004 12:18 PMSubject: RE: John Lehman 9/11 Personal PrivacyDear Mr. Church: \k you for your email to the National Commission on Terrorist Attac

not give out Commissioner contact information, I ammore than happy to pass along a message from you toCommissioner Lehman. \, \ n Leopold

From: Arnie Church [mailto:arniechurch@CSent: Thursday, January 29, 2004 9:50AMTo: InfoSubject: John Lehman

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Dear Sir,Is there an address that I could get in touch with Mr. Lehman?

Arnie ChurchCapt. Delta AirlinesI I9/11 Personal Privacy

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John RaidtFrom: Sam BrinkleySent: Saturday, February 07, 2004 4:28 PMTo: Philip Zelikow; Team 7; Team 1ASubject: RE: Message to and from Commissioner Lehman

I have not heard it.Sam

JOriginal Message ^__________From: Phi l ip Zel ikow [m a i l to j

Sent: Fr i 2/6/2004 5:37 PMTo: Team 7; Team 1ACc:Subject: Message to and from Commiss ioner LehmanTeams 7 and 1A,

//9/11 Personal Privacy

An interesting story below f rom a Delta pilot. Could there pqSsibly be anything to it? Had youheard of this before? /Philip / /Original MessageFrom: John Lehman [mailto:JFL(l.Sent: Friday, February 06, 2004 2:54 PM /To: Phil Zelikow (E-mail) /Subject: FW : John Lehman /Philip, /This looks like more than just paranoia. Could you give it to the appropriate teams for followup.John /Original Message /From: Info [mailto:[email protected]] /Sent: Wednesday, February 04, 2004 12:06 PM /To: John Lehman /Subject: FW: John Lehman /

Original MessageFrom: Arnie Church [mailto:arniechurch@Sent: Thursday, January 29, 2004 3:38PMTo: InfoSubject: Re: John LehmanDan,Could you pass on the following to Mr. Lehman?

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While flying as a B-727 Captain for Delta Airlines on 14 December 20001 was scheduled tolayover at the Albany, NY Crown Plaza Hotel.The hotel provided a van for aircrew pickup. The van drivers that day, in my opinion, were actingsuspiciously. They drivers were Arab males, very insistent that we ride with them. They appearednervous and angry. At one point the lead driver grabbed my suitcase out of my hands and ran offwith it. I chased him down and retrieved my bag. When I got my bag back an outer zipperedpocket was now unzipped. I had been to this hotel many times and the drivers had always beenyoung college students (blonde haired, blue eyed).I felt that these two were a threat in some way and refused to ride with them. I bought 2 taxi cabsfor my crew.Upon reaching the hotel I asked to talk to the manager and told him about the van drivers. Heasked for a description of the driver. I gave him one and told him the drivers name tag said: "M.ATTA". The manager replied that was Mohamed Atta and they had several complaints fromseveral aircrews about him. I told the manager "You have one more complaint". (Note thatUnited, American, USAir, Delta, and South West all layed over at this hotel).When I got to my room I searched my bag and found a Canadian $2 coin in the pocket that was

unzipped by Atta. I had been in that pocket 4 hours earlier putting several one dollar bills to usefor tipping the van drivers on my trip. I had never before seen a Canadian $2 coin.This event reminded me of TWA 847 (of how the hijackers got weapons onboard).

I immediately called several officials at Delta Air Lines and told them specifically:"It looks like a hijacking in the making, and the van drivers are Arabs".In my conversation with Mike Keown (Delta Security) Mike asked how I knew they were Arabs?I told him "because the drivers name was Mohamed Atta!"I also called Alpa safety to contact the FAA about this incident (I have attached my cell phonerecords from December 2000).I have learned that Delta never investigated my reports until Sept. 2002.I called the Crown Plaza on Sept 23, 2002 (the day before Delta's investigators arrived) and a girlat the front desk confirmed that Atta (the hijacker) did in fact work there around Dec 2000.After Delta's investigators left the hotel ... no one could remember anything.I also talked to|_time frame. j>f the joint terrorism task force in Albany j _ Jaround this

There is quite a bit more information that is pertinent but I do not feel comfortable discussing itvia e-mail. /As a side note to Mr. Lehman .... my. father and I still own Grumman Tiger N28383.In fact it is in for an annual now. , /

Original Message . /From: Info /To: Arnie Church \Sent: Thursday, January 29,2004 12:18 PM \:RE : John Lehman . /

Dear Mr. Church: . /Thank you for your email to the National Commission on,Terrorist Attacks Upon the United States. Whilewe do not give out Commissioner contact information, I am more than happy to pass along a messagefrom you to Commissioner Lehman. \

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Sincerely,Dan Leopold9-11 Commission

Original MessageFrom: Arnie Church rmallto:arniechurch(gr ]Sent: Thursday, January 29, 2004 9:50AM iTo: Info ISubject: John Lehman iDear Sir, \s there an address that I could get in touch with Mr. Lehman?

Arnie ChurchCapt. Delta Airlines --- 9/11 Personal P r i vacy

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John RaidtFrom: Dieter SnellSent: Friday, February 06, 2004 6:41 PMTo: 'Philip Zelikow';Team 7; Team 1ASubject: RE:Message to and from Commissioner Lehman

News to me, and inconsistent with our info on his whereabouts. I've asked John and/or Marco to check it out.DSOriginal MessageFrom: Philip Zelikow [mailtoCSent: Friday, February 06, 2004 5:37PMTo: Team 7; Team 1ASubject: Message to and from Commissioner LehmanTeams 7 and 1A ,An interesting story below from a Delta pilot. Could there possibly be anything to it? Had youheard of this before?PhilipOriginal MessageFrom: John Lehman [mailto:JFL(@C

__....,--""/9/11 Personal PrivacySent: Friday, February 06, 2004 2:54 PM /To: Phil Zelikow (E-mail) /Subject: FW : John LehmanPhilip, /This looks like more than just paranoia. Could you give it to the; appropriate teams for followup.John

Orignal Message /From: Info [mailto:[email protected]] /Sent: Wednesday, February 04, 2004 12:06 PM /To: John LehmanSubject: FW:John Lehman

Original Message /From: Arnie Church [mailto:arniechurch(g| \: Thursday, January 29, 2004 3:38PMTo: InfoSubject: Re: John LehmanDan,Could you pass on the following to Mr. Lehman?While flying as a B-727 Captain for Delta Airlines on 14December 2000 I was scheduled tolayover at the Albany, NY Crown Plaza Hotel.

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The hotel provided a van for aircrew pickup. The van drivers that day, in my opinion, wereacting suspiciously. They drivers were Arab males, very insistent that we ride with them. Theyappeared n ervous and a ngry. At one point the lead driver grabbed my suitcase out of my handsand ran off with it. I chased him down and retrieved my bag. When I got my bag back an outerzippered pocket was now unzipped. I had be en to this hotel man y times and the drivers hadalways been young college students (blonde haired, blue eyed).I felt that these tw o were a threat in some way and refused to ride with them. I bought 2 taxicabs for my crew.Upon reaching the hotel I asked to talk to the manager and told him about the van drivers. Heasked for a description of the driver. I gave him one and told him the drivers nam e tag said: "M.A TT A". The manage r replied that was Mohamed Atta and they had several com plaints fromseveral aircrews about him. I told the manager "You have one more complaint". (Note thatUn ited, Am erican, US A ir, Delta, and South West all layed over at this hotel).W hen I got to my room I searched m y bag and found a Canadian $2 coin in the pocket that wasunzipped by Atta. I had been in that pocket 4 hours earlier putting several one dollar bills to usefor tipping the van drivers on my trip. I had never before seen a Canadian $2 coin.This event reminded me of TW A 847 (of how the hijackers got weapons onboard).I imm ediately called several officials at Delta Air Lines and told them specifically:"It looks like a hijacking in the making, and the van drivers are Arabs".In my conversation w ith Mike Keown (Delta Security) Mike asked how I knew they wereArabs? 1told him "because the drivers name was Mohamed Atta!"I also called Alpa safety to contact the FAA about this incident (I have attached my cell phonerecords from Decem ber 2000).

I have learned that Delta never investigated my reports until Sept. 2002.I called the Crown Plaza on Sept 23, 2002 (the day before Delta's investigators arrived) and agirl at the front desk confirmed that Atta (the hijacker) did in fact work there around Dec 2000.After Delta's investigators left the hotel... no one could remem ber anything.I also talked t< | pfthe joint terrorism task force inAlbany | [around thistime frame. .There is quite a bit more information that is pertinent but I do not feel com fortable discussing itvia e-mail.A s a side note to Mr. Lehman .... my father arid I still ow n Grumm an Tiger N28383.In fact it is in for an an nual now. /

Original Message ... /From: infoTo: Arme.Ch.yrch 9/11 Law Enforcement PrivacySent: Thursday, January 29. 2004 12:18 PMSubject: RE: John LehmanDear Mr. Church:Thank you for your email to the National Commission onTerrorist Attacks Upon the United States.While we do not give out Commissioner contact information, I ammore than happy to pass along amessage from you to Commissioner Lehman.Sincerely,

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Dan Leopold9-11 Commission

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Original MessageFrom: Amie Church [mailto:arniechurch@QSent: Thursday, January 29, 2004 9:50 AMTo: InfoSubject: John LehmanDear Sir,Is there an address that I could get in touch with Mr. Lehman?

Arnie ChurchCapt. Delta Airlines9/11 Personal Privacy

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John RaidtFrom: Dieter SnellSent: Monday, February 09, 2004 3:45 PMTo: John RaidtCc: Philip Zelikow; John Tamm; Marco CorderoSubject: RE: Message to and from Commissioner Lehman

Thanks, John. John Tamm and Marco Cordero are verifying the basis for the FBI timeline entries regarding Attaduring this time. Please let them know what the Delta file shows.DSOriginal MessageFrom: John RaidtSent: Monday, February 09, 2004 3:35 PMTo: Dieter SnellCc: Philip ZelikowSubject: RE: Message to and from Commissioner LehmanDieter'm aware that the records we have don't support the contention that Atta was in NY at this time.Nevertheless, I'veasked Delta Airlines to provide uswith their file on the event. I'll share whateverinformation we get. JR

Original MessageFrom: Dieter SnellSent: Friday, February 06, 2004 6:41 PMTo: 'Philip Zelikow1; Team 7; Team 1ASubject: RE:Message to and from Commissioner LehmanNews to m e, and inconsistent with our info on his whereabouts. I'veasked John and/or Marco tocheck itout.DS

Original MessageFrom: Philip Zelikow [mailto[jSent: Friday, February 06, 2004 5:37 PM \: Team 7; Team 1A \: Mes

Teams 7 and 1A, ;9/ll Personal PrivacyAn interesting story below from a Delta pilot. Could there possibly be anythingto it? Had you heard of this before? iPhilip |

--Original MessageFrom: John Lehman [mailto:JFL(gLSent: Friday, February 06, 2004 2:54PMTo: Phil Zelikow (E-mail)Subject: FW: John Lehman

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Philip,This looks like more than just paranoia. Could you give it to the appropriate teams forfollowup.JohnOriginal MessageFrom: Info [mailto:[email protected]]Sent: Wednesday, February 04, 2004 12:06PMTo: John LehmanSubject: FW : John Lehman

9/11 Personal PrivacyOriginal Message \Arnie Church [mailto:arnlechurch(g|

Sent: Thursday, January 29, 2004 3:38PMTo: InfoSubject: Re: John LehmanDan,Could you pass on the following to Mr. Lehman?While flying as a B-727 Captain for Delta Airlines on 14 December 2000 I wasscheduled to layover at the Albany, NY Crown Plaza Hotel.The hotel provided a van for aircrew pickup. The van drivers that day, in myopinion, were acting suspiciously. They drivers were Arab males, very insistentthat we ride with them. They appeared nervous and angry. At one point the leaddriver grabbed my suitcase out of my hands and ran off with it. I chased himdown an d retrieved my bag. When I got my bag back an outer zippered pocketwas now unzipped. I had been to this hotel many times and the drivers had always

been young college students (blonde haired, blue eyed).I felt that these two were a threat insome way and refused to ride with them. Ibought 2 taxi cabs for my crew.Upon reaching the hotel I asked to talk to the manager and told him about the vandrivers. He asked for a descriptionof the driver. I gave him one and told him thedrivers name tag said: "M. ATT A". The manager replied that wasMohamed Attaand they had several complaints from several aircrews about him. I told themanager "You have one more complaint". (Note that United, American, US Air,Delta, and South West all layed over at this hotel).When I got to my room I searched my bag and found a Canadian $2 coin in thepocket that was unzipped byAtta. I had been in that pocket 4 hours earlier puttingseveral on e dollar bills to use for tipping the van driverson my trip. I had neverbefore seen a Canadian $2 coin.This event reminded me of TWA 847 (of how the hijackers got weaponsonboard).I immediately called several officials at Delta Air Lines an d told themspecifically:"It looks like a hijacking in the making, and the van drivers are Arabs".In my conversation with Mike Keown (Delta Security) Mike asked how I knewthey were Arabs? I told him "because the drivers name was Mohamed Atta!"I also called Alpa safety to contact the FAA about this incident (I have attachedmy cell phone records from December 2000).

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I have learned that Delta ne ver investigated my reports until Sept. 2002.I called the Crown Plaza on Sept 23, 2002 (the day before D elta's investigatorsarrived) and a girl at the front desk confirmed that Atta (the hijacker) did in factwork there around Dec 2000.After Delta's investigators left the hote l . . . no one could rememb er anything.lalso talked t o [ _ Jpf the joint terrorism task force in Albany|_around this time frame.There is quite a bit.more information that is pertinent but I do not feel comfortablediscussing it via e-mail.As a side note to Mr. Lehman .... my father and I still own Grumm an TigerN28383. ""--,'.>, ./In fact it is in for an annual now. : 9/11 LawEnforcement Privacy Original M essage From: Info

To : Arnie ChurchSent: Thursday, January 29, 2004 12:18 PMSubject: RE : John LehmanDear Mr. Church:Thank you for your emal to the N ational C omm ission o n Terrorist A ttacks Upon theUnited States. While we do not give out Comm issioner contact information, I am morethan happy to pass along a message from you to Commissioner Lehman.Sincerely,Dan Leopold9-11 Commission /9/11 Personal Privacy

Original Message / ..From: Amie Church rmalto:arniechurch r 1Sent: Thursday, January 29; 2004 9:50 AMTo: Info /Subject: John LehmanDear Sir, /Is thereanaddress that Icould get ntouchwith Mr. Lehman?

Arnie ChurchCapt. Delta Airlines

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John RaidtFrom: John RaidtSent: Monday, February 09, 2004 9:09 AMTo: Sam BrinkleyCc: Team 7Subject: RE: Whereabouts

Sam, I will contact Delta about the "investigation" they did in 2002.Original MessageFrom: SamBrinkleySent:Saturday, February 07, 2004 4:33PMTo: Team 7; John RaidtSubject: WhereaboutsI have corporate travel Monday-Wednesday. Am on the cell an d will be checking email.The Thursdaymeeting w/ Phillip is now scheduled for 1300 vice 1100.Sam

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John Raidt

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From: Philip ZelikiSent: Friday, February 06, 2004 5:37 PM ,To: Team 7; Team 1ASubject: Message to and from Commissioner Lehman

Teams 7 and 1A,An interesting story below from a Delta pilot. Could there; possibly be anything to it? Had you heard ofthis before?Philip . /Original MessageFrom: John Lehman [mailto:JFL@Sent: Friday, February 06, 2004 2:54 PMTo: Phil Zelikow (E-mail)Subject: FW : John Lehman

/9/11 Personal Privacy

Philip,This looks like more than just paranoia. Could you give it to the appropriate teams for followup.JohnOriginal MessageFrom: Info [mailto:[email protected]]Sent: Wednesday, February 04, 2004 12:06 PMTo: John LehmanSubject: FW: John Lehman

Original MessageFrom: Arnie Church [mailto:amiechurchSent: Thursday, January 29, 2004 3:38 PTo: InfoSubject: Re:John LehmanDan,Could you pass on the following to Mr. Lehman?While flying as a B-727 Captain for Delta Airlines on 14 December 20001 was scheduled to layover atthe Albany, NY Crown Plaza Hotel.The hotel provided a van for aircrew pickup. The van drivers that day, in my opinion, were actingsuspiciously. They drivers were Arab males, very insistent that we ride with them. They appearednervous and angry. At one point the lead driver grabbed my suitcase out of my hands and ran off with it.I chased him down and retrieved my bag. When I got my bag back an outer zippered pocket was nowunzipped. I had been to this hotel many times and the drivers had always been young college students(blonde haired, blue eyed).I felt that these two were a threat in some way and refused to ride with them. I bought 2 taxi cabs formy crew.

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Upon reaching the hotel I asked to talk to the manager and told him about the van drivers. He asked fora description of the driver. I gave him one and told him the drivers name tag said: "M. ATT A". Themanager replied that was Mohamed Atta and they had several complaints from several aircrews abouthim. I told the manager "You have one more complaint". (Note that United, American, USAir, Delta,and South West all layed over at this hotel).When I got to my room I searched my bag and found a Canadian $2 coin in the pocket that wasunzipped by Atta. I had been in that pocket 4 hours earlier putting several one dollar bills to use fortipping the van drivers on my trip. I had never before seen a Canadian $2 coin.This event reminded me of TWA 847 (of how the hijackers got weapons onboard).I immediately called several officials at Delta Air Lines and told them specifically:"It looks like a hijacking in the making, and the van drivers are Arabs".In my conversation with Mike Keown (Delta Security) Mike asked how I knew they were Arabs? I toldhim "because the drivers name was Mohamed Atta!"I also called Alpa safety to contact the FAA about this incident (I have attached my cell phone recordsfrom December 2000).I have learned that Delta never investigated my reports until Sept. 2002.I called the Crown Plaza on Sept 23, 2002 (the day before Delta's investigators arrived) and a girl at thefront desk confirmed that Atta (the hijacker) did in fact work there around Dec 2000.After Delta's investigators left the hotel... no one could remember anything.I also talked to| |ofthe joint terrorism task force in AlbanyP Iaround this timef r a m e . !There is quite a bit more information that is pertinent but I do not feel comfortable discussing it via e-mail. iAs a side note to Mr. Lehman .... my father and I still owii Grumrrian Tiger N28383.In fact it is in for an annual now. ,. |

Original Message ;Q , 1 .From: jnfo 911LawEnforcement PrivacyTo: ArnieChurchSent: Thursday, January 29, 2004 12:18 PMSubject: RE John LehmanDear Mr. Church:Thank you for your email to the National Commissionon Terrorist Attacks Upon the United States. Whilewe donot give out Commissioner contact information, I am more than happy to pass along a message from you toCommissioner Lehman.Sincerely,Dan Leopold9-11 Commission

Sent:Thursday, January29, 2004 9:50AMTo: InfoSubject: John Lehman

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Dear Sir,Is there an address that I could get in touch with Mr. Lehman?

Arnie ChurchCapt. Delta Airlines

9/11 Personal Privacy

2/9/2004

Documents

T7 B18 Loose Ends Fdr- Jan-Mar 04- Emails Re Delta Captain Arnie Church Re Atta Sighting at Hotel 543