A recent investigation conducted by a Phoenix news station has allegedly uncovered significant gaps in the security system at Phoenix’s Sky Harbor Airport, which is considered the ninth busiest airport in the United States. Through the use of hidden cameras and testimony from four unidentified employees at Sky Harbor, journalists determined that there was a nightly four and one half hour time frame—when passenger flights were not arriving or leaving from the airport—during which any individual with an employee badge could enter the secure side of the terminal without passing through any screening process.
While Sky Harbor officials attempted to downplay the significance of the investigation, the gaps in security at the airport are cause for concern. Permitting employees to enter the “secure” areas without screening allows for the possibility of harmful materials/weapons or potentially dangerous individuals to exploit the system and enter restricted areas. Despite the fact that background checks were performed on all employees, the lax procedures clearly exhibit the vulnerabilities that remain at US airports.
Investigation Finds Security Gaps
During the four and one half hour time period of reduced screening at Sky Harbor Airport, private security guards from an outside company, instead of agents from the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), were in charge of security. During these hours, X-ray machines, as well as all metal detectors were turned off, allowing any type of baggage carried by employees to pass through without screening to the secure part of the airport. According to the media report, hidden cameras showed the on-duty guards allowing individuals with badges to cross into the secure terminal with purses, large backpacks, suitcases, and even coolers without undergoing any type of security screening. One such individual on a bike was even able to ride through a checkpoint with a large crate on his back without being stopped by guards.
Interviews with employees of Sky Harbor Airport further revealed that management was long aware of the lax measures of the night security guards. The journalists also allegedly obtained a document that was given to airport management from law enforcement personnel indicating that at least one guard fell asleep during his shift for about twenty minutes.
Directly following the release of the report, Sky Harbor issued a statement defending its off-hours security procedures, specifically declaring that all employees with badges have undergone background checks. However, TSA later stated that the procedures used at Sky Harbor were in violation of government policies, which require workers to be screened at airport checkpoints. Thereby, TSA ordered the Federal Security Director at Sky Harbor to be placed on administrative leave and has resumed 24-hour screening measures at all checkpoints as of July 23, 2007.
Recent Incidents and Other Suspicious Activity at US Airports
Over the past few months, several other incidents connected to security screening procedures and personnel have occurred at US airports, highlighting the potential for additional security breaches.
– On March 30, 2007, a United Airlines flight attendant was arrested at Dulles International Airport after turning herself in for carrying a handgun onboard a flight from Atlanta to Washington DC. The flight attendant was in uniform but was not a part of the crew for the flight. In February 2007, Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport had begun random screenings of employees, further raising concern over the ability of the flight attendant to carry a weapon on a flight having assumedly passed through Atlanta’s security measures.
– On March 5, 2007, two employees at Orlando International Airport were arrested for using their uniforms and identification badges to smuggle weapons and drugs to Puerto Rico (Previous Report).
There have also been several recent reports of suspicious activity at airports across the country.
– On March 29, 2007, a cleaning crew at Reagan National Airport located two flash grenade devices in a trash can in a men’s restroom on the ticketing level of one of the terminals. An explosive ordinance disposal unit from Fort McNair was contacted to remove the devices, which if detonated would have produced loud noise and smoke.
– On January 4, 2007, a United Airlines vehicle from Chicago’s O’Hare Airport was stolen from the premises. The vehicle was authorized to travel in restricted areas of the airport. On the same day, employees at a different, unidentified airport on the east coast reported that several men appeared to be conducting active surveillance of the site.
Future Implications
While authorities have not uncovered any evidence indicating that recent incidents are related to terrorist activity against the US, such security breaches and events indicate the potential threats to domestic airports. Officials have continued to urge all employees, as well as travelers to report suspicious activity, due to concerns that such incidents could be associated with terrorists conducting dry runs to prepare for attacks.
– Those involved in the plot to blow up ten airliners traveling from the United Kingdom to the US in the summer of 2006 discussed conducting test runs to determine airport security measures.
Additionally, the recently foiled plot to attack John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York City (Previous Report) has further increased awareness regarding the potential gaps in domestic airport security that need to be addressed. Failure to address these concerns will result in further risk to US airports.
