The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has reported a notable surge in airport security breaches, with over 300 incidents recorded since March 2023.
In November, authorities arrested two women at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport after they breached a secured exit while rushing to catch their flight. Similarly, at Palm Springs International Airport in February, a ticketed traveler managed to bypass an unstaffed body scanner, leading to the evacuation of post-security areas as a precautionary measure.
Another alarming incident unfolded in February at Nashville International Airport, where a woman evaded TSA officers checking IDs and infiltrated the bag-screening line. Despite her belongings passing through X-ray screening, she boarded an American Airlines flight without a ticket and flew to Los Angeles International Airport, where the FBI detained her. At present, she has not been charged, and the FBI has refrained from commenting further, citing an ongoing investigation.
In addition to these breaches, Clear, a private screening service offering expedited TSA queues, has faced scrutiny for security lapses in recent years.
Last year, an individual successfully navigated Clear security using a boarding pass found in an airport garbage can. Similarly, in 2022, TSA officers discovered ammunition in a passenger’s luggage after he had used false identification to bypass Clear screening protocols.
Sources: AirGuide Business airguide.info, bing.com, finance.yahoo.com
