Polito's Take: Where there's smoke...

First it was the MBTA scheduling a disaster drill in South Boston on 9/11. Then Massport jumped on the bus with them by staging a disaster response drill at Logan… on 9/11. Think about it, if someone at Massport didn't realize that scheduling a drill involving smoke and flames at Logan on the anniversary of 9/11 is a big no-no, what else are you missing? Stay with me, it gets worse because they may not have not dealt with their mistake.

I can't reassure you that Massport has learned their lesson because they are basically shut down to the press. I requested an interview with Massport CEO Thomas Glynn... denied. I asked for the name of the person who scheduled the drill... no comment. I asked if there would be any disciplinary action...no comment.

Ultimately, Thomas Glynn is responsible, the buck stops with him. In any other organization or business, the person responsible would have their wings clipped. Not Massport, which is partly funded with taxpayer dollars. The press office told me they are standing by their earlier statement released on Facebook:

"Massport apologizes for conducting the fire training exercise and understands that it may have offended many of those touched by the events of Sept. 11. Safety and security is our top priority and constant vigilance and readiness is critical, but the exercise should not have taken place on the anniversary of 9/11. The airport community recognizes the day with moments of silence, a service in the chapel, and a wreath at the 9/11 memorial."

They forgot to add one other observance, a mock plane in flames, near the runways, visible from terminals and planes taking off and landing. One announcement over the terminal public address that only said there was a drill going on.

Massport officials say they do over 90 drills each year. I'd like to add one more. It's called the accountability drill, where you not only apologize, but you make amends and then reassure the public that you've fixed the problem.

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