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2 JFK Terminals Evacuated After Passenger Security Breach

Just what JFK Airport and the Transportation Security Administration needed: A passenger security breach! Last night, a passenger managed to venture to the gates by walking through the exit line - not the security screening line - which then caused all sorts of chaos.

A security guard saw the passenger walk by but "could not immediately locate the passenger" so the TSA was notified and the agency worked with Delta and law enforcement to find the individual. Then, per the TSA's statement, "the decision was made to empty terminals two and three and re-screen all passengers at 7:53 p.m. The terminals were evacuated and searched and re-screening began at approximately 9:30 p.m."

Okay, let's back up. How did the passenger get past security? The TSA spokesman Norm Brewer said, "As I understand it, he was challenged and stopped. And then what happened, I do not know. He at some point ended up beyond that exit approach and the rest is sort of history."

The passenger ended up on Delta flight 6044 to Albany and was detained by a sheriff. Rest assured (for now) as the TSA believes "There is no known nexus to terrorism at this time." And earlier this year, JFK got a new security company for its parking lots and other restricted areas.

Photograph of the Airbus 380 lifting off from JFK Airport in MArch by Vidiot on Flickr

Contact the author of this article or email tips@gothamist.com with further questions, comments or tips.
By Jen Chung in on October 31, 2007 10:45 AM

Comments [rss]

  • Kojak

    Keep in mind that the vast majority of TSA screeners are NOT security professionals. Most were 'deputized' into the ranks of the Transportation Safety Administration after the Sept 11 attacks.



    They're just regular, underpaid, lightly trained joes. That needs to change.

  • Polite New Yorker

    I flew to Madison, Wisconsin in July. I was groped by a TSA screener because I forgot to take my cell phone out of my pocket (I had on carpenter jeans and my cell phone was in my side pocket - trust me it's easy to forget). I was also lectured about not having my hand sanitizer in a plastic bag. They missed the box cutter and matches that I had forgotten to take out of my backpack.

  • Bongo23

    new career coming up for someone? Practice saying the following "would you like fries with that?" I feel safer already

  • Bongo23

    new career coming up for someone? Practice saying the following "would you like fries with that?" I feel safer already

  • rdc

    Security theater isn't actually meant to keep anyone safe.

  • Dirk

    Why the TSA sucks. From USA Today:



    Most fake bombs missed by screeners



    "Screeners at Los Angeles International Airport missed about 75% of simulated explosives and bomb parts that Transportation Security Administration testers hid under their clothes or in carry-on bags at checkpoints, the TSA report shows.



    At Chicago O'Hare International Airport, screeners missed about 60% of hidden bomb materials that were packed in everyday carry-ons — including toiletry kits, briefcases and CD players. San Francisco International Airport screeners, who work for a private company instead of the TSA, missed about 20% of the bombs, the report shows. The TSA ran about 70 tests at Los Angeles, 75 at Chicago and 145 at San Francisco."



    When I flew out of LGA a few weeks ago, the screeners barely paid attention to any of the passengers in the security line or and were barely doing their job. They were too busy loudly discussing some club a couple of them went to a few nights ago, laughing and joking around. Seriously. What the hell is the TSA's hiring process?

  • Johnie

    Maybe he's Hiro from Hero?



    Stopped time and walked away?

  • Elderta

    Maybe a cat let him in.

  • JMH

    Ugh. I'm glad this happened today - I'm flying tomorrow and would NOT have wanted to deal with it.

  • rtd2101

    Half the time I walk out the exit doors those guards are sleeping or close to it.

  • S.D.

    "by walking through the exit line"?

    ...

    (sigh)

    Have to agree with #1. The TSA are coming across like boobs...

  • Dirk

    How did the passenger get past security?



    Because the TSA is a bunch of idiots. Anyone who's been to JFK or LaGuardia knows that.

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