Senator David Vitter Throws Airport Tantrum

Hey, we've all been there. Traveling, especially by airplane, can be a bit stressful. Something goes wrong--a delay, or a cancellation--and suddenly you lose your temper and start yelling like a maniac at an incredulous gate agent. Such was the case last Thursday when Louisiana Senator David Vitter threw a temper tantrum at Dulles Airport. Vitter, of DC Madam fame, arrived for a flight to New Orleans to find the gate door locked. Irate, he yanked it open, setting off alarms. We'll let Roll Call (via TPM) take it from here:

Vitter, our spy said, gave the airline worker an earful, employing the timeworn "do-you-know-who-I-am" tirade apparently grew quite heated.

That led to some back and forth, and the worker announced to the irritable Vitter that he was going to summon security.

Vitter, according to the witness, remained defiant, yelling that the employee could call the police if he wanted to and their supervisors, who, presumably might be more impressed with his Senator's pin.

But after talking a huffy game, Vitter apparently thought better of pushing the confrontation any further. When the gate attendant left to find a security guard, Vitter turned tail and simply fled the scene.

On the bright side for Vitter, because of this incident, a whole lot more people are going to know who he is.