THE TENSION: Local: Fried Turkey Grounded at Dulles

Deemed dangerous at Dulles.
According to AP, you can add deep-fried turkey to the list of banned substances at Dulles International Airport.

A holiday party last week at the airport's administrative offices drew a fire marshal and complaints from union officials upset with the menu: a deep-fried turkey prepared on site that they deemed a fire hazard.

"It has ... come to my attention that the Dulles Management decided it would be a nice idea to DEEP FRY A TURKEY in the Dulles administrative quarters, surrounded by carpet, linoleum, an airport, aircraft, a control tower, thousands if not millions of gallons of jet fuel and thousands of passengers and employees," Kieron Heflin, an air traffic controller's union representative, complained in a letter to management.

An airport fire marshal made managers turn off the cooker, airport spokeswoman Tara Hamilton said.

"It was meant for indoor use," said FAA spokeswoman Diane Spitaliere. "This is just another attempt by (union officials) to make management look bad because of discontent over their contract." Union officials have been battling management over staffing levels and other workplace issues.