Major TSA Fail: Gun Manages To Make It Aboard A Flight Undetected
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January 14, 2019Yikes.
We’re just finding out that TSA at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport dropped the ball big time. On January 3rd, TSA missed that a man had a gun in his carry-on luggage. According to reports, the man forgot that the gun was in his bag. He went through all the proper screenings like everyone else, but it went undetected.
A traveler carrying a firearm boarded a Delta Air Lines flight from Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport and flew to Tokyo Narita International Airport on January 3, according to a statement from the Transportation Security Administration.
“TSA has determined standard procedures were not followed and a passenger did in fact pass through a standard screening TSA checkpoint with a firearm at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport on the morning of January 3,” the release states.
Delta Air Lines also issued a statement to CNN, saying that “upon the customer’s disclosure, the airline reported the incident to the TSA.”
This has everyone wondering: Does the shutdown have anything to do with this? After all, agents are working and not currently getting paid for it. Because of that, a lot of them are calling in sick. However, the agency denies that the shutdown has anything to do with it.
“The perception that this might have occurred as a result of the partial government shutdown would be false,” TSA said. “The national unscheduled absence rate of TSA staff on Thursday, January 3, 2019, was 4.8% compared to 6.3% last year, Thursday, January 4, 2018. So in fact, the national call out rate was higher a year ago than this year on that date.”
The TSA noted that it will “hold those responsible appropriately accountable.”
TSA screeners have struggled to detect weapons even in the absence of a shutdown. In 2015, the acting administrator for the TSA was reassigned after a report found that airport screeners failed to detect explosives and weapons in nearly every test that an undercover team conducted at dozens of airports.
Speaking of the shutdown, TSA Administrator David Pekoske has an announcement.
As I announced earlier today, we have processed compensation to all TSA employees who worked on Saturday, December 22nd, the day immediately following the start of the lapse in funding.
— David P. Pekoske (@TSA_Pekoske) January 12, 2019
This is considered one “missing day” of pay, so this payment will make our employees whole for Pay Period 25. You’ll receive that by no later than Tuesday.
— David P. Pekoske (@TSA_Pekoske) January 12, 2019
In addition to this, I have approved awards of $500 for each uniformed screening officer, in recognition of their hard work during yet another busy holiday travel season, maintaining the highest of security standards during an extraordinary period.
— David P. Pekoske (@TSA_Pekoske) January 12, 2019
These awards should appear in their accounts in the next few days.
— David P. Pekoske (@TSA_Pekoske) January 12, 2019
While I realize this is not what you are owed for your hard work during pay period 26 and what you deserve, I hope these actions alleviate some of the financial hardship many of you are facing.
— David P. Pekoske (@TSA_Pekoske) January 12, 2019
I’m able to do this because of unique authorities provided TSA in law.
— David P. Pekoske (@TSA_Pekoske) January 12, 2019
There is an outpouring of industry and public admiration and appreciation for all you’ve done and will continue to do. The nation needs you— stay focused and take care of one another. #NotOnOurWatch
— David P. Pekoske (@TSA_Pekoske) January 12, 2019
It’s better than nothing, right?
