Philly Flight Stopped Over TSA Security Breach

TSA Security Breach. That was all the explanation passengers on a flight from Philadelphia to Bermuda were given when they were evacuated from their flight this morning. The U.S. Airways plane was carrying 102 passengers and 5 crew members.

According to Fox News, The Philly security breach was not with a passenger. Rather, an unidentified and man without a security badge was helping load luggage onto the plane; when police approached him, he attempted to flee the scene. Currently, TSA officials are searching the plane's cargo at an isolated location in Philadelphia International Airport.

U.S. Airways spokesman Todd Lehmacher commented on the evacuation, "In the interests of safety, we deplaned our customers. We are working with authorities to investigate the security concern and cannot comment on specifics since the investigation is ongoing."

Airline treatment of luggage is a constant source of customer complaints. Whether lost or damaged, passengers seem to have very little tolerance for any manipulation of their belongings. In the case of a potential security breach, the luggage inspections are likely to be much more in depth than a typical security screening, and rightfully so.

The potential for disaster is always a concern when there are security issues on a plane, and the Philly TSA security breach is no exception. When purchasing a ticket to fly, passengers are also consenting to a search of anything and everything they bring with them. Although every passenger on the flight passed through security, the unbadged man caught handling their luggage did not, making the chance for a dangerous object a very real concern. The investigation in Philly is still ongoing.

Related Resources:

• Security scare grounds Philadelphia flight (KRTV)
• Search by TSA Screeners, Did They Go too Far? (FindLaw's Blotter)
• Airplane Security Run Amok (FindLaw's Writ)