Author: Sean

TSA is looking at whether the screening of four passengers did something wrong

TSA is looking at whether the screening of four passengers did something wrong

T.S.A. Says Screening Missteps Allowed Box Cutters on Flight 253

The TSA says screening missteps by airline passengers led to the

automatic opening of the bomb-shelter door on Flight 253 — and that

the agency has identified four screening cases in which passengers

did something wrong, but officials would not discuss further details

because of an ongoing investigation.

The Associated Press reported the findings Tuesday, citing an

unidentified agency official. The official insisted on anonymity to

avoid tipping off the investigation.

The report is the latest to question the screening process on

Flight 253, which was headed to Detroit when it was diverted

because of a possible bomb on board.

The official said the TSA has identified four screening cases in

which passengers did something wrong. But he would not elaborate

because the investigation is underway. The official said the

investigation will look at whether the actions of four passengers

contributed to the explosive device being allowed to go through

security.

A TSA spokesman, Rick Janssen, told the AP that those screenings

did not constitute an investigation because they “do not necessarily

end up in the final report.”

The official, who would not be identified because of the ongoing

investigation, said that TSA is looking at whether the screening

mistakes of passengers on the flights contributed to terrorists

getting through security. He also said those screening errors were

not unique to the four specific incidents identified by the TSA.

There were three other incidents that should not have resulted in

an automatic-open door for suspected explosive devices. And, in

each of those cases, the devices were later located, officials said.

One of those incidents – in which passengers left a backpack with

a bomb in the air — is still classified, the official said.

The report by the AP came amid a flurry of media stories about the

TSA’s screening procedures on the flights. CBS’ “60 Minutes

Report,” on the flight’s diversion, described “four different

security checkpoints where passengers got different answers about

where

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