This incident, as crazy as it is, raises concerns about the safety and security of all of us who travel. In a bizarre turn of events, a woman skipped security and managed to sneak onto a Delta flight without any boarding pass, ID or a valid ticket.
According to a fellow passenger, the woman boarded the flight without any ID. The Delta flight was about to leave from Orlando to Atlanta. A fellow passenger claimed credit for finding out that the woman didn’t have any ID proof or boarding pass whatsoever.
Security Lapse
In spite of having no ID or documents, the woman seemed to be pretty stubborn about her right to board the flight. After a fellow passenger alerted a flight attendant about the situation, a weird conversation ensued.
As per this report by Fox News, the conversation between the woman and the flight attendant panned out this way:
Well, I’m showing you a picture ID,” the woman said. “Ma’am, that’s not a government-issued ID. That’s a photo,” the flight attendant said. “Well, this is just as good,” the woman said. “No, ma’am, it’s not just as good,” the flight attendant said.
Deanna Allbrittin, a journalist with WFTV in Orlando, tweeted a video about the situation at the airport.
Flight Delay
The woman still seemed adamant. Eventually, the pilot had to summon the police. Once the police arrived, the woman was then made to deplane. Much to everyone’s surprise, she left the plane quite belligerently and hurled a few abuses. All the passengers had to be then deplaned and then had to board again. In the meanwhile, TSA agents and dogs searched the plane for over an hour. TSA agents patted down every passenger before allowing them to board the flight again.
Delta issued a statement following the incident:
“Delta apologizes to customers of flight 1516 for the delay after a person not ticketed for that flight was removed from the aircraft. Security officials then directed precautionary rescreen of everyone onboard. Delta is working with local law enforcement and the Transportation Security Administration on their investigation and we are conducting our own review of this as well.”
The Pundit’s Mantra
The FBI is now investigating the incident. Clearly, this seems to be a major security lapse. I hope the public eventually gets to know the reason for the lapse that could’ve not only been a major security threat but also caused massive inconvenience and delay to all the passengers on board.
After this incident, has your perception of our safety and security during air travel changed? Let us know in the comments section.
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It’s a pity that the pax on that flight can’t charge back their $5.60.
Just wondering how much good the TSA actually does. It seems like a mostly reactionary department. I think it’s just to give the public the illusion of security while employing some of the rudest people they can.