- Reaction score
- 0
- Points
- 210
All the usual disclaimers
Not only did he get past security, he got all the way to Ottawa.
July 31, 2007
Weapon allowed on plane
Security fails to stop man
By BILL KAUFMANN, SUN MEDIA
Passengers pass a sign at Calgary International Airport yesterday that is posted at the entrance of the security screening area at the departure level. Despite the sign listing items passengers aren't allowed to carry onto aircraft, a man accidentally carried a multitool, including knife blade, onto a plane after lapses in security occurred, despite the fact that the weapon was detected. (Jack Cusano, Sun Media)
Security screeners at Calgary International Airport detected a weapon but it was still allowed on a flight to Ottawa, said a federal official.
When it was confirmed the multitool -- which includes a knife blade -- had made it into a secure area of the terminal on Sunday evening, about 500 already-cleared passengers were re-screened, delaying their flights for an hour, said Anna-Karina Tabunar, spokeswoman for the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority (CATSA).
"Another screener was told about it and they tried to locate the passenger and during this process he managed to board his flight to Ottawa," said Tabunar.
"There was an error on the part of the screening operator who wasn't following proper procedure ... we knew all along there was a prohibited item."
She said the man was met by police at Ottawa's airport but when it was determined he had made an honest mistake in possessing the tool in his carry-on baggage, it was decided not to press charges.
Last December, Calgary Airport Authority president Garth Atkinson sent a letter to CATSA, complaining the screening it oversees there was "the absolute worst in Canada" after 30 pieces of luggage were loaded on a flight to Houston without their owners.
Authority spokesman John Terpstra said yesterday screeners do a good job but some concerns remain over staffing levels.
"I'd like to see more staff but they've come a long ways," said Terpstra.
Tabunar said "corrective measures" would be taken in response to the latest breach, likely including the re-training of security personnel.
Given the number of annual air passengers in Canada -- 40 million -- and the 5,200 screening staff to process them, "there will be human error," she said.
"This incident is still under investigation."
Tabunar said it's also incumbent on the public to know which articles are banned to avoid delays.
"Every single day at every airport screeners intercept knives, box cutters and scissors," she said.
"It really underscores the need for people to be aware now that we're heading into August, which is the busiest travel month."
On Saturday in the airport's concourse A, about 200 passengers were delayed when a security officer believed he'd spotted a suspicious article.
There turned out to be no such item present.
"We'll always err on the side of caution," said Tabunar.
Not only did he get past security, he got all the way to Ottawa.
July 31, 2007
Weapon allowed on plane
Security fails to stop man
By BILL KAUFMANN, SUN MEDIA
Passengers pass a sign at Calgary International Airport yesterday that is posted at the entrance of the security screening area at the departure level. Despite the sign listing items passengers aren't allowed to carry onto aircraft, a man accidentally carried a multitool, including knife blade, onto a plane after lapses in security occurred, despite the fact that the weapon was detected. (Jack Cusano, Sun Media)
Security screeners at Calgary International Airport detected a weapon but it was still allowed on a flight to Ottawa, said a federal official.
When it was confirmed the multitool -- which includes a knife blade -- had made it into a secure area of the terminal on Sunday evening, about 500 already-cleared passengers were re-screened, delaying their flights for an hour, said Anna-Karina Tabunar, spokeswoman for the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority (CATSA).
"Another screener was told about it and they tried to locate the passenger and during this process he managed to board his flight to Ottawa," said Tabunar.
"There was an error on the part of the screening operator who wasn't following proper procedure ... we knew all along there was a prohibited item."
She said the man was met by police at Ottawa's airport but when it was determined he had made an honest mistake in possessing the tool in his carry-on baggage, it was decided not to press charges.
Last December, Calgary Airport Authority president Garth Atkinson sent a letter to CATSA, complaining the screening it oversees there was "the absolute worst in Canada" after 30 pieces of luggage were loaded on a flight to Houston without their owners.
Authority spokesman John Terpstra said yesterday screeners do a good job but some concerns remain over staffing levels.
"I'd like to see more staff but they've come a long ways," said Terpstra.
Tabunar said "corrective measures" would be taken in response to the latest breach, likely including the re-training of security personnel.
Given the number of annual air passengers in Canada -- 40 million -- and the 5,200 screening staff to process them, "there will be human error," she said.
"This incident is still under investigation."
Tabunar said it's also incumbent on the public to know which articles are banned to avoid delays.
"Every single day at every airport screeners intercept knives, box cutters and scissors," she said.
"It really underscores the need for people to be aware now that we're heading into August, which is the busiest travel month."
On Saturday in the airport's concourse A, about 200 passengers were delayed when a security officer believed he'd spotted a suspicious article.
There turned out to be no such item present.
"We'll always err on the side of caution," said Tabunar.
