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Albany County Executive Dan McCoy reportedly attempted to use his political influence to board an American Airlines flight to the Democratic National Convention after missing his initial boarding call because he was grabbing Chick-fil-A, according to a report from the Albany Times Union.
A source at Albany International Airport observed McCoy and a staffer arrive at the gate on time, only to leave to get food from the popular fast-food chain located a short walk away.Upon returning, they found the boarding doors had already closed.
The witness reported that McCoy tried to leverage his position as County Executive, repeatedly mentioning his title and his influence over the airport in an attempt to persuade the gate staff to reopen the plane doors. However, the American Airlines staff were unfazed.
“McCoy was polite, but he dropped his name several times,” the source was quoted as saying by the Times Union. Despite his efforts, “the American Airlines person didn’t care or know who he was.”
The airline agent reportedly told McCoy, “You shouldn’t have gone and gotten food; you would have made your flight.”
Unable to board, McCoy and his staffer were forced to book a different flight to Chicago on another airline later that day.
When contacted, McCoy’s spokesperson, Mary Rozak, declined to comment on the specifics of the airport incident, saying, “I can’t speak to what happened or didn’t happen at the airport.” She did clarify that no public funds were used for the trip to the DNC.
This incident comes amid speculation that McCoy might be positioning himself for a future role at the airport. The Albany County Airport Authority, where McCoy appoints three of the seven board members, recently chose not to renew the contract of the current long-serving airport director, fueling rumors about McCoy’s potential interest in the job.
While many politicians faced delays en route to the convention due to a storm system in the region, McCoy’s delay was uniquely caused by his detour for a chicken sandwich.
A source at Albany International Airport observed McCoy and a staffer arrive at the gate on time, only to leave to get food from the popular fast-food chain located a short walk away.Upon returning, they found the boarding doors had already closed.
The witness reported that McCoy tried to leverage his position as County Executive, repeatedly mentioning his title and his influence over the airport in an attempt to persuade the gate staff to reopen the plane doors. However, the American Airlines staff were unfazed.
“McCoy was polite, but he dropped his name several times,” the source was quoted as saying by the Times Union. Despite his efforts, “the American Airlines person didn’t care or know who he was.”
The airline agent reportedly told McCoy, “You shouldn’t have gone and gotten food; you would have made your flight.”
Unable to board, McCoy and his staffer were forced to book a different flight to Chicago on another airline later that day.
When contacted, McCoy’s spokesperson, Mary Rozak, declined to comment on the specifics of the airport incident, saying, “I can’t speak to what happened or didn’t happen at the airport.” She did clarify that no public funds were used for the trip to the DNC.
This incident comes amid speculation that McCoy might be positioning himself for a future role at the airport. The Albany County Airport Authority, where McCoy appoints three of the seven board members, recently chose not to renew the contract of the current long-serving airport director, fueling rumors about McCoy’s potential interest in the job.
While many politicians faced delays en route to the convention due to a storm system in the region, McCoy’s delay was uniquely caused by his detour for a chicken sandwich.
