December 7, 2007
Even if You're a TSA Screener, You Need a Plane Ticket
Another reassuring tale of airport security. At JFK Airport yesterday, an airport security screener was able to board a plane - without a ticket.
Apparently the man wanted to go the United Arab Emirates to see off his parents, so somehow he managed to board an Etihad Airways flights without a ticket or boarding pass. And, according to the AP, "when the plane's doors shut, [he] told a flight attendant what he had done." We suppose a crisis of conscience can strike you at any time.
The man was arrested by the Port Authority police and charged with a misdemeanor of criminal trespass. He is a baggage screener for the Transportation Security Administration (but for how much longer is anyone's guess).
In October, a passenger managed to sneak past security at JFK to board a flight - he had a connection in NYC but had a nic attack and left the building to smoke - which caused two terminals to be evacuated. And a monkey under a man's hat was spotted on a flight to Laguardia.
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It isn't really a security risk as he would have gone through security screening like any other passenger.
Hmmmmm so we have TSA screeners from the UAE? Am I the only one who thinks there might be an issue there? Apparently yes.
The wnbc.com article referenced in this post states that the man was trying to see off his parents who were going to UAE.